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Bluepill
Username: Bluepill

Registered: 07-2004
Posted on Friday, October 06, 2006 - 11:43 pm:   

hi guys
i have just got back 3 guitars that have been setup by a guitar place in melbourne (real guitars in high street). these guys were recommended on a few forums by various guitar players in melbourne (australia)

anyway 2 of the 3 guitars are worse then when i took them there....i left one there because apperantly it needs a fret dress (completely buzzed out from 10th fret up on the high e, b and g strings...didnt do this before!), and basically all they have done is put loads of relief in the neck and put heavier strings on. mind you they never rang me up and told me the guitar needs a fet job, i guess they just expected me to turn up and say cool heres a 100 big ones for putting relief in the neck, doin the intonaton and fuckin my axes up

1 of the 2 guitars i bought home, i straightened the neck out a massive amount, played with the action and its 10 fold better! infact its pretty much exactly how it was when i took it there, so the action is still a bit high but , i did this in 20minutes n i have only set up a few guitars....

i just dont know what i should do...they charged me $100 per guitar to setup, and now the guitar that is there is going to be an extra $90. i basically left the 1 guitar there because i thaught ive already spent 100 n its worse...so i just want to see if they make it right too with afret dress

so what should i do?' im considering taking the guitar back that i just fixed up in 20minutes n saying wtf...100 is a bit much for what they have done, i would expect the guitars to come back kick for that! by the way im not an action nazi...infact i like quite a high action compared to a lot of poeple as a i play heavy rock

the guitars are 2 80's ibanez artist and a 335 copy
Munch
Username: Munch

Registered: 02-2001
Posted on Saturday, October 07, 2006 - 4:24 am:   

Bluepill,

If I were you I'd put my complaints in writing and also get a second professional opinion. Go back in with the letter and deal with the owner of the shop, no-one else.

Chances are they have a work experience guy or similarly challenged person in the shop stuffing up people's guitars.

I am sure the owner will see your position.

Cheers

Mark
Flatbag
Username: Flatbag

Registered: 09-2004
Posted on Saturday, October 07, 2006 - 9:04 am:   

If they made it worse just setting it up, I wouldn't be leaving with them for a fret dress. Neck relief can be adjusted back, but take too much meat off the frets and you're stuffed. What's next, complete refret? And when they stuff that up a neck replacement? Take it somewhere that has a good reputation (I can't help there, I know some good techs in Sydney, but no idea in Melbourne), and get it done properly - the guy I'm taking my strat to will do a fret dress and set it up for about $80, and he has a lot of satisfied pro customers from what I hear.

Not sure which Aussie-based forums you've already asked at, but if you haven't already tried Aussie Guitar Gear Heads, go there at www.guitargear.net.au/discussion , you'll get a few guys there who can point you in the right direction.
Funkle
Username: Funkle

Registered: 12-2001
Posted on Saturday, October 07, 2006 - 9:52 pm:   

Guitar setup is a matter of personal preference. Some people like a lot of relief, some like a little. That's why I do my own setups (although I leave the fret dressing and more complicated tasks to the pros). I would say that most shops will make adjustments at no additional cost if you are not satisfied. I'd try taking them back and see if they'll do this for you. Also, maybe raise a little bit of a stink about the level of service. Maybe they had a newbie working on them - if you voice your concern, they might have a more competent tech spend a little more time on it. But I definitely think you should give them a chance to make it right for you.

I had a similar thing happen with a highly regarded shop - the one that sets up Satriani's guitars. The guy who worked on the guitar completely left out some steps. When I brought it back, the owner was so embarrassed that he personally fixed it. And I guess he normally doesn't work on lowly folks guitars like mine - he leaves that to his employees, who are hit or miss.

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