Advanced Jumbo neck reset query

[DJC]

Hi all

I have a Gibson Advanced Jumbo built in 2012 which I bought new from an Australian dealer in 2019. The dealer - a large retailer - no longer exists (went broke later in 2019).

Was advised today by a local luthier it needs a neck reset. Action was always a tad high but lately seemed higher...hence me taking it in.

Guitar has been well cared for and used sparingly. I have two questions:

1. Would there be any chance of Gibson doing anything on this under their warranty? Logistically tricky I know.

2. What’s a reset likely to set me back - ballpark?

Any fellow Australian’s advice much appreciated with question 2.

Thanks very much.

David.

[Wade Hampton]

Seeing as you’re the original owner, Gibson might be willing to cover all or some of the cost of the neck reset. It’s going to make the most sense to have the work done there in Australia, rather than incur the expense of shipping it back to Montana.

Start by talking to Gibson’s customer service and take it from there.

Hope this helps.


Wade Hampton Miller

[JERZEY]

A neck reset from a reputable shop in the NY area is going to be 500-thousands.

[davenumber2]

I'd be very surprised if Gibson covered it as part of the warranty.

[High_Colorado]

Please keep us posted how this goes, I am really interested to hear how it works out!

[zombywoof]

So did this guitar hang on the shop wall for seven years?

I would think that whether Gibson covers the repair will come down to whether they determine if the inky neck is the result of some manufacturing issue.

The cost of neck resets is all over the place. I have had a couple done in the past 5 or so years (all were old Harmonys) and it has run me $350 a shot.

[Dotneck]

I bought an AJ around 2006. New from a dealer. About a year ago I was noticing kind of high action and the saddle was low. No room for adjustment.

One luthier and a tech I trust both told me it needed a neck reset. When I contacted Gibson I was told they would do the neck reset for $1600 (which included a refret) but a set up was extra. Plush shipping both ways. No local techs were willing to take on the job.

Since I paid $1600 for the guitar new I decided to cut my losses and sold her locally. I disclosed the high action and low saddle and the buyer was willing to take a chance on her. I have to admit it was a great sounding guitar…

Good luck with yours…

[Boozehound]

$1600 for a neck reset? That’s absurd.

[Jim Owen]

Originally Posted by Boozehound

$1600 for a neck reset? That’s absurd.

It should be warranty work if he bought it from a dealer. It’s also disheartening that none of his local luthiers were interested. I was just fixing to ask Raleigh repair master Ben Runkle a question and noticed his shop was closed permanently. That’s not good news.

Dotneck, I’ve no idea who you could call on this. Is there any chance your dealer could help?

[Dotneck]

Originally Posted by Jim Owen

It should be warranty work if he bought it from a dealer. It’s also disheartening that none of his local luthiers were interested. I was just fixing to ask Raleigh repair master Ben Runkle a question and noticed his shop was closed permanently. That’s not good news.

Dotneck, I’ve no idea who you could call on this. Is there any chance your dealer could help?

Ben wouldn’t do it. I asked him before he quit taking on work. He could not offer any local referrals and suggested I take it back to Gibson. I did talk with two other local guys as well.

So then I touched base with Don Rufatto in Bozeman who said it would be covered by warranty and told me to go through their customer service department. They wouldn’t budge and gave me the price quote.

The quote included a neck reset, planing the fretboard and a refret for $1650. Everything except a set-up (!) and shipping in both directions.

I ended up selling the guitar instead of messing with Gibson’s repair shop.

[ewalling]

Originally Posted by Boozehound

$1600 for a neck reset? That’s absurd.

It does seem high. I had a neck reset and refret done on a British handmade guitar that cost me $600 back in 2007. Even allowing for inflation, $1600 sounds excessive.

[Dotneck]

Originally Posted by ewalling

It does seem high. I had a neck reset and refret done on a British handmade guitar that cost me $600 back in 2007. Even allowing for inflation, $1600 sounds excessive.

Especially high with the guitar under warranty.

[Boozehound]

Originally Posted by Dotneck

Especially high with the guitar under warranty.

Yeah, I can't believe that. What was their justification for not standing my their product? Seems like insult to injury to charge $1600 for what should be a warranty repair.

FWIW I am getting my '49 overhauled by Brothers Music (among the best in the business) sometime in 2022 and for less than $1600 they are doing the following:

Neck Reset with re-fret and Setup including new nut and saddle
Plug and re-drill tuner holes
Fix 3 cracks
repair loose truss rod

[tommieboy]

So what does it cost to adjust a neck on a Taylor with an NT neck? $80 USD, give or take? Just saying.

Tommy

[tommieboy]

And yes sometimes when you need a neck reset, you may also need a complete rework of the fretboard and set-up. I ran into one of those situations. The quote for everything was $1,400 USD.

Tommy