New Experience - Taking a Guitar to a Luthier

[smitty_p]

So, it's been nearly a year after my OP in this thread, and I revisited this same luthier yesterday.

This time, I dropped off my Stratocaster for a full refret. I use it for 55% to 60% of the songs in our repertoire and the fret wear was beginning to affect playability.

I'm getting this one redone with Jescar stainless steel frets.

I may be able to pick it up as early as the end of the week or the beginning of next week.

I'm getting rather excited about this, too. I really liked the feel of the SS frets on my Taylor.

 

[4406Pack]

Nice!! it is nice to find someone that loves guitars an does nice quality work
In the Denver Metro area I recommend
Mark tenorio

Tenorio Werx
He has done a number of things for me he built my beloved Bucketcaster from my warmoth/gibson parts and like you i always know my interments are in good hands!

 

[Session 5]

Yes its hard to find a good luthier, so if you have found one, you're one of the lucky ones. I am fortunate to have one also..

 

[smitty_p]

I’ll be picking up the guitar in a couple of hours.

I’m getting a little excited.

 

[smitty_p]

Well, I’ve got my Strat back. As with my Taylor last year, the results are very, very nice.

The guitar plays better than ever, and the luthier did a pretty comprehensive setup on it, to boot.

I can say this, I’m pretty much sold on stainless steel frets. They are very smooth and changing positions on the neck actually feels a little smoother, as do bends.

 

[Col Mustard]

This is good to hear... I've been on fora where guys scoff at the idea of spending money to have
someone do what guitarists are supposed to do for themselves.

I get that attitude, but not the scorn. Not everyone wants to own a full set of Luthier tools
and measurement equipment. I don't. I can do pretty well with the tools I have, but I like
to have each of my instruments done by a pro first. Then I can usually keep them in good
fighting fettle.

I've also read articles by professional guitar techs, who often say the first studio session for
upcoming bands usually involves getting their instruments properly set up, as if they've been
playing for years but never bothered to get their guitars intonated or the necks straight or the
frets level. I confess I've been there too.

A lot of guys think they can set up their guitars properly, and will loudly claim this...
But they can take up a lot of expensive studio time finding proud frets or badly done
solder joints from too much DIY. Nothing like a good recording studio to let you hear
what your trusty old warhorse actually sounds like. Surprise!

Every time I put down one of my lovelies after working out, it's with the spoken or unspoken comment,
"What a great guitar..." Truly I don't have any more instruments left that aren't... but mine are not top end
instruments, or "vintage" boondoggles... mine are all fairly modest working guitars that have been
modded a little or a lot, till they are just what I like.

Also, my collection is now small enough that I can afford to have them seen too by my favorite pro luthier.

 

[Session 5]

Come January 2024, I will be taking my guitars to my Luthier friend, to give them a tweak. Same time every year I have them done..