Best Auckland set up?

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Kiwiaxe
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Re: Best Auckland set up?

Post by Kiwiaxe »

I used Ramsay Phillips on Glyn’s recommendation, to get the 63 strat set up. It required a new nut, various other things plus a full and very careful re-fret (he has a YouTube or Instagram video about what was involved) and he did an unbelievable job for the grand total of a bit over $450. I’d happily recommend him any time.

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Re: Best Auckland set up?

Post by Bg »

quyet wrote: Fri Feb 05, 2021 9:17 pm I need a new nut done, any other recs before I go back to Binford?f
drop me a pm, I'm open for business again.
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Re: Best Auckland set up?

Post by FloydFan85 »

Hi all. Just got a new Fender Player Strat and was recommended Trevor Binford for a setup. He said it would cost $200. That seemed a bit pricey so I was wondering if anyone with experience could explain why he may be worthy of this cost or not. Does he go above and beyond other luthiers here?

Or if anyone else could be recommended I'd really appreciate it. Thanks! Good to be here!

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Re: Best Auckland set up?

Post by murky »

FloydFan85 wrote: Fri Dec 17, 2021 11:02 am Hi all. Just got a new Fender Player Strat and was recommended Trevor Binford for a setup. He said it would cost $200. That seemed a bit pricey so I was wondering if anyone with experience could explain why he may be worthy of this cost or not. Does he go above and beyond other luthiers here?

Or if anyone else could be recommended I'd really appreciate it. Thanks! Good to be here!
Just remember - it’s $200 likely less GST and tax. So prob $125 before he even pays consumables/costs. Good (and bad…) tradies are charging $80+ an hour these days. Pretty sure Trevor’s not overvaluing his craft/time here.

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Re: Best Auckland set up?

Post by Speakos »

Just want to add a thumbs up for Trevor Binford. great setup and great advice.

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Re: Best Auckland set up?

Post by jhyang549 »

Is there a particular guitar tech/luthier that is a wizard with electronics? I have an Artist strat that could really benefit from shielding, proper grounding etc. I'm happy with how the pickups sounds - just an upgrade in pots and a proper electronics install (not just found in cheap guitars but also expensive ones).

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Re: Best Auckland set up?

Post by StratMatt »

jhyang549 wrote: Sat Aug 13, 2022 9:08 am Is there a particular guitar tech/luthier that is a wizard with electronics? I have an Artist strat that could really benefit from shielding, proper grounding etc. I'm happy with how the pickups sounds - just an upgrade in pots and a proper electronics install (not just found in cheap guitars but also expensive ones).
Not sure about the wizard part, but Ramsay rewired my Schecter which was a bit of a mess. Did it exactly as I'd asked and set it all up nicely. Price was reasonable and he is a GC. Based in Glendowie.
Loving it so far

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Re: Best Auckland set up?

Post by Nevo »

This is a olde topic but who is available nd reasonably priced for a fret level.
Thankyou Ant

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Re: Best Auckland set up?

Post by FuzzMonkey »

Get in touch with Ramsay Phillips.

http://ramsayphillips.com

He's based in Glendowie I believe.
Last edited by FuzzMonkey on Fri May 26, 2023 1:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Best Auckland set up?

Post by Moonglow »

I picked up my Takamine from the acoustic rockshop top of K Road last week. Victoria worked on it and did an awesome job. I wish I'd taken it there when I first got it, the action was ridiculously high in retrospect. They filed the bridge down, replaced the strings and it was like $80. They also replaced a piezzo pickup for free. Also had a great discussion on protecting/correct humidity for guitars in the Auckland climate and some options for looking after your baby.

For convenience to my work, the patience and time they took explaining things to me I probably should have already known (and didn't make me feel foolish for asking), and the superb playability my guitar has now I'd totally go back everytime. My only regret was the Sylvia Park rock shop didnt send me there 5 years ago when I brought my guitar. This time I can totally blame my tools! Though fretting hand strength is now like a 9 out of 10

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Re: Best Auckland set up?

Post by werdna »

AZ charged me $300 for a set up. He had to take off the neck and put it on, and he had to put in a new nut. The work was ok but I wouldn't go back because it was at most 2 hours' work. I do this thing myself but was slammed at work.
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Re: Best Auckland set up?

Post by olegmcnoleg »

For setups, I’ve found Audio Zephyr to be the best in terms of quality of work. He’s a bit fussy and he is not cheap, but he is meticulous.

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Re: Best Auckland set up

Post by DongHua »

Molly wrote: Wed Apr 26, 2017 4:06 pm
JHorner wrote:Audio Zephyr

He's opinionated, biased towards fenders and low action, gets grumpy when I ask him to raise the action, but... he does good fretwork
LOL. Well, sorry, can't let this go....

The guy that bought my R9 put it in there for a set up. $300 later and a shitload of bullshit about 'unseated frets' he got it back. I've since bought a couple of guitars from the same seller in Taranaki that arrived with Zephyr's card in the case. In both instances the fret dressing was as rough as fuck with really sharp edges I had to deal with myself.

So, totally opposite experience to y'good self. As I said to Matt, I wouldn't let the guy loose on my daughter's ukulele.
Ramsay is the only man I trust with my R9s, and yes I absolutely agree with all you said about Zephyr’s work,

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Re: Best Auckland set up?

Post by NippleWrestler »

Warren's got a reputation for padding out the worksheet with stuff that doesn't need to be done and also overcharging.

Actually now that I think about it I took my d35 to him for a neck reset and general setup. His quote was $2000 for a litany of errors needing correction. I then drove over to Glyn when he had his shop, who looked it over, and did a neck reset and general bits and bobs for $800. I mentioned what Warren said and he said there's zero evidence of anything he said. So there's that.

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Re: Best Auckland set up

Post by diomaniac »

sirvill wrote: Wed Apr 26, 2017 4:28 pm Is $120 quite expensive for a setup?
Sounds reasonable especially if you'll end up playing and having fun with this thing

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