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Who said anything about mistakes? I'm talking about tearouts and chipouts, which, if you build enough objects with wood, WILL happen. Wood is wood, and wood has a way of humbling everyone at some point.

As was already mentioned, to think otherwise and ignore reality makes you the fool.

Gotta agree with this one. If you don't factor in spoilage in your "shop rate", you're going to be living on the edge. May not be a big deal for the hobbyist with a day job but for a pro, at the end of the day you have to make a profit.

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Taylor charges $200 (retail) for a bone nut and saddle on their BTO models, which costs $9, I think your soundport should run a couple hundred bucks.....but I haven't tried one yet.....I might buy a whole guitar if that's all you charge

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Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.

My $999 budget model is proving to be a strong seller. Better margins for me too...

I have no idea how you can make a guitar and sell it for $999 and remotely make any $$ ?

That's pretty impressive.

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Hey Meddling,

I think 75$ for a sound port on a guitar that would otherwise cost 1000$ is pretty fair. Specialy if you intent to just make a hole in the side (and maybe back the side with some veneer to reinforce it). If you want to bind the port, than it's another story.

Whatever option I offer, I always calculate according to my standard hourly fee. I estimate the amount of time and add material if needed. But that's just me.

Regarding factoring in potential issues that could happen while making a soundport, it makes total sense. Although you have to 'factor' in the cost of the said issue. How many soundports will it take before you blow an entire set of sides? The cost should be spread over that amount of soundports. So it shouldn't raise the price by too much. As Andy mentioned, factoring in the mishapp should be a standard way of working. Every guitar is ever so slightly more expensive than is would be if we never screwed up (or if wood wasn't what it is, to stay in Mario's spirit of mind).

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Alain Moisan
Former full time builder of Acoustics, Classicals and Flamencos.
(Now building just for fun!)

Generally try not to do any options other than scale length on the budgies, but for a half deaf guy....

Nobody questions your incompetence. It's understood.
I have some unused flesh around I can send. Most people call her my mother in law, but she is pretty useless.


Posted using something.

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PMoMC

She's incompetent as well. I was being kind when I called her useless.


Posted using something.

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PMoMC

Use the 'eyeball' method. If their eyeballs don't get real large when you tell them the upgrade charge, then you're not charging enough.
I heard that from an archtop builder years ago (Steve Grimes ?)

Better incompetent then incontinent...

I was planning on using the bit I used to drill for the deadbolt on my basement door to make the Soundport. Is that how you guys do it?