Repair turnaround time expectation ?

[Quilly]

How long do you think is long enough to leave your instrument/ amp with luthier or amp tech before enquiring as to the progress of the repairs ? Where I live, there are aren’t many people who do this as a full time job and are really doing this as a nixer, so I don’t really want to annoy these people...but at the same time it’s slightly frustrating when you hear nothing back for 2 months .

[GuyR]

How long did the repairer say it would take? It should take exactly the amount of time you were quoted when you handed the item over. If it is going to take longer, for instance, due to the need to order a specialist part, you should be kept informed,  even if just a brief email or text.

Two months without any communication? 

I think they are due a call!!!!

[Dad3353]

I had a headstock broken off from my Hofner Comittee. I confided it to a luthier, one of the top in his field. There were some Err... 'complications'; I finally went to collect the guitar, fully restored, five years later, pleased as Punch. He did a great job; the cost was well worth it.
It all depends, doesn't it..? Some things take minutes, some days, some longer. Communication is the key, though. Have you tried calling in, or emailing..? That can't hurt, surely..?

[taunton-hobbit]

I had one idiot who took two years not to fix something (!)

Two months is quite long enough to merit a polite enquiry (sorry to bother you but..............?)

😎

 

[TheGreek]

My amp tech will normally turn round repairs in about a week. My local luthier repaired a broken headstock for me in about the same time for around £100 IIRC. Both give regular feedback and updates. 

Based on the posts above you'd think that they're not very busy - couldn't be further from the truth - when I collect my gear, phones are going and other customers are also collecting theirs - they're obviously doing something right. 

Either I'm spoilt or others are getting really poor service.

[Quilly]

It’s an acoustic bass that needs either the preamp repaired or a new one installed. To be fair I said I wasn’t in a major panic ...but still, a message to say ‘it’s knackered’ wouldn’t hurt . 

[Quilly]

Addditionally .a valve amp shouldn’t take any longer than a week to revalve and check up....mine has been in the store for a month already 😩

[Lozz196]

Depends on work being done and how long they initially advised.

[Cato]

Ring the guy up and ask him when the jobs will be done.

If you're not happy with his answer go pick up your stuff up and refuse to give him any payment.

If he goes over his deadline go and pick your stuff up and refuse to give him any payment.

[ahpook]

2 hours ago, Quilly said:

How long do you think is long enough to leave your instrument/ amp with luthier or amp tech before enquiring as to the progress of the repairs ? Where I live, there are aren’t many people who do this as a full time job and are really doing this as a nixer, so I don’t really want to annoy these people...but at the same time it’s slightly frustrating when you hear nothing back for 2 months .

It's not annoying someone to ask for an update. If you've not heard anything for 2 months then you're well overdue a chat.

 

[Quilly]

I would , except I live in the sticks in Ireland and am far too lazy to go driving to a professional in Dublin 🤣. Anyway yer man is excellent but does things ‘in his own time’ 

56 minutes ago, Cato said:

Ring the guy up and ask him when the jobs will be done.

If you're not happy with his answer go pick up your stuff up and refuse to give him any payment.

If he goes over his deadline go and pick your stuff up and refuse to give him any payment.

 

[Quilly]

Ha, my luthier phoned me today and told me my bass was ready !

[Teebs]

19 hours ago, Cato said:

Ring the guy up and ask him when the jobs will be done.

If you're not happy with his answer go pick up your stuff up and refuse to give him any payment.

If he goes over his deadline go and pick your stuff up and refuse to give him any payment.

Or, ring him up and ask him the cubed-root of 2. 893 and if he doesn't know, pick up your stuff and refuse to give him any payment!

Glad bass is ready

[Powertripper]

Two months is ridiculous. Obviously it's what they quote you, but who wants to leave their beloved for that long? If someone can't do within that time frame, unless they're an ABSOLUTE specialist, they shouldn't be taking on the work. Unless you're more patient than I am.... but as a jobbing musician, if I'm paying top dollar for a job, I want it back within  10 days really, and usually don't have a problem with this. I've had people say they're not taking on any work at the moment, and in such a circumstance, perhaps a couple of months would be acceptable, but it'd have to be exceptional circumstances.

[TheGreek]

@Quilly glad to hear you finally have your bass back..

We're seeing basses being built from scratch in a few months - if the builders are really busy, have a backlog and you're happy to wait then that's one thing but there no excuse for having to wait months otherwise. There are other luthiers who can turn jobs round in, as mine does, about a week.

As @Cato says, pick up your gear and take it elsewhere - courier costs are around £10 - send it to my local luthier Terry Chapman and you'll have it back in virtually no time.