Official Luthiers Forum!

My brother and I have another joint commission, where the client is asking about 45 style purfling. Not the "Deluxe" 45 style, but the regular all-over purfling treatment. (Sides, back, tail wedge as well as top.)

Question--what do you guys (who do this type decoration) charge for this option? Or, if you know what other builders charge, feel free to state that too.

Many thanks-in-advance,

Steve

_________________
From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

I charge $700for back and top abalone purflings. I think the sides may be a little trickier....

Maybe you should figure out how many hours the job would take and then charge the number of hours times what you'd like to make per hour ($5.00 )and add the price for the shell.

_________________
Peter M.
Cornerstone Guitars
http://www.cornerstoneukes.com

I'd charge about 1.2 million for a job like that. Cause it would take me the rest of my building days to get it finished.

_________________
Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

My Options list has $450 for the top abalone purfling then $8 an inch for additional abalone inlay. By the time you figure up the back and the top and bottom of both sides, with the end graft outlined, you will be pushing $2K

_________________
Hank Mauel

Thanks, guys.

Hank, your estimate was about what I was thinking, but you'll understand when I say I'm starting to like Dave's figure.

Steve

_________________
From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

   I quote pearl inlay at $7.50 an inch that sets you to 60 inches per back and 120 for the side , and 75 to the top total   That is 1.912.50 plus $50 for the tail piece.
   If they want the neck inlaid as another $300. This isn't all that easy to do if you want the miters to look good.

[QUOTE=Steve Kinnaird] Thanks, guys.

Hank, your estimate was about what I was thinking, but you'll understand when I say I'm starting to like Dave's figure.

Steve[/QUOTE]


Yeah, but you'll probably fall victim to the dreaded "Rich Luthier" syndrome..to wit: "What does a luthier do after winning the lottery?"


(drum roll)

Keep building guitars until the money is all gone.

_________________
Hank Mauel

Thanks, John, and you are right- one has lots of those pesky little corners to fiddle with, huh?

Hank, that's my second favorite luthier joke.
The first:

"How many luthiers does it take to screw in a light bulb?"

A. "Just one. But it will take him ALL day."

If we get 1.2 mil for this job, I'll hire a staff to screw in light bulbs.

Steve

_________________
From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

[QUOTE=Steve Kinnaird]

"How many luthiers does it take to screw in a light bulb?"

A. "Just one. But it will take him ALL day."

Steve[/QUOTE]

Depending on his order backlog! It could take YEARS

_________________
Hank Mauel

            

Steve

_________________
From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

[QUOTE=Hank Mauel]Depending on his order backlog! It could take YEARS [/QUOTE]

I could start on it today for a base price of ..... I'll just need a 50% deposit to get started.

_________________
Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

Dave, I know some luthiers (and I'm not naming names) who say the way to have that enviable "backlog" is to accept the deposit, and then never get started on the guitar.


They were joking, don't you know.



I think....


Steve

_________________
From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Good one Steve.

That is, as long as you're not talking about me.

_________________
Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

Not naming names...remember?   

Steve

_________________
From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com