Depending on how often you play, you should have one done at least annually- some people take theirs to a luthier, but I'm of the opinion that setting up your guitar by yourself is a valuable skill to learn,and helps you get your guitar set up exactly how you want it. This set-up guide will give some basic, measurable parameters needed to keep your acoustic guitar in optimum playing condition. 1. I try to get mine done once a year. Prices vary drastically by city, state and country. John LeVan has written five guitar repair books published by Mel Bay. Answer Save. ELECTRIC GUITAR SET-UP To put your guitar in top playing shape, follow the five steps presented here. Most techs would tell you twice a year if it is your main player. All electric guitars and basses, which are made from wood, are subject to changes in temperature and humidity. Most players would never notice the difference. *If the guitar is only ever to be used for very light fingerstyle playing, it’s possible to set the action a fraction lower than normal, but this will mean the strings will rattle if they are ever played hard. In America, the average rate for a setup seems to run between $50-$75 USD. First, you’ll need the right tools: • Set of automotive feeler gauges (.002-.025) • 6” ruler (with 1/64” increments) and tape measure • Set of Allen wrenches • Phillips head screwdriver • Electronic tuner • Wire cutters Ideally the neck should be mounted onto the guitar body with a very slight angle; with no tension in the strings and the guitar laying on its back, the neck should be angled slightly downward so that the top of the fretboard is on the same plane as the guitar body. Your guitar will gradually expand, contract, and warp which all cause the sound to suffer. Shop Care & Cleaning Products. By Guitar World Staff 19 April 2019. Jan 3, 2017 - TL;DR: It depends. How Much Does a Guitar Setup Cost? Jon K. 1 decade ago. I've been playing guitar for 2 decades now and I have no idea how to set-up a guitar. How often should an electric guitar be "set up"? And would it be bad to have it setup less regularly than that (as long as I dont notice any huge problems with it)? Jonny Blackwood (Edmonton, AB, Canada) is a multi-certified guitar tech, instructor, & best-selling author who has been teaching guitar repair and maintenance since 2009 through group and private classes, corporate staff training, client literature, and his popular books including, "How to Setup Your Guitar Like A Pro: An Easy Guide for Beginners". A guitar that buzzes above the 12th fret or across the entire fretboard will likely need the action raised if the neck relief is properly set. I've finally got some extra cash and the Sam Ash a few towns over has a plek machine. A qualified guitar repair person can help you with a … His best seller, Guitar Setup, Maintenance & Repair, is a hands-on guide with a forward by Bob Taylor.John also authored PG’s Guitar Shop 101 column, hosted several PG DIY videos, and is an authorized warranty technician trainer for Taylor Guitars. To do this, run a ruler along the neck of the guitar, resting it on the frets. To sum it up, if your guitar suffers from any or all of the three D’s (decay, duration or dullness); you should change your strings. How often should I be getting my guitar setup/intonated? I'll tweak the truss rod if needed on occasion or if I change string gauge or do a fret level/crown, but I think the golden rule here is "If it ain't broke don't fix it. You usually want to set it up after a long time of it not being played, or once every two-ish years. It’s something every guitarist needs to do but often people disagree about when and how often it should be done. Set of automotive feeler gauges (.002-.025) (0.05–1 mm) Once set your guitar should stay that way indefinitely. You should set up your guitar when you change string sizes. Guitars and basses are really no different. I'm a big believer in the idea that a guitarist should be able to set up his own instrument for several reasons. I figured twice a year depending on how hard you play and such. Tip: Use a straightedge for added assurance (pictured).. TOOLS NEEDED. Changing your guitar strings. How often should I have a set-up adjustment done on my instrument? It all depends on how often you play that guitar. But it will require a little tweaking. Re: How often do you get your guitar set-up? How often do you guys give your guitar a setup? Just wondering how often you all get your guitars set up. Learn the basics of what goes into a setup, the tools you'll need or may already have, and what you can do from home to properly maintain your instrument. ; Sight the Neck – Please read the beginning of this article for thorough instruction on sighting your guitar’s neck.. It’s pretty straightforward. Before we get too far, though… First up, and most importantly, is to get to know your current setup. Here are a few things to consider. Some guitarists have practiced this retuning so extensively that they can do it by feel with just the regular knob – if you have ever watched a medley of popular riffs on … A guitar that buzzes at the first five frets will likely need more relief. Tune the Guitar to desired pitch. How often should you get your guitar set up? Okay, now assuming you’ve got a clean guitar, with the action just where you like it, and a fresh set of the best strings you can find, properly stretched, you’re ready to get started. A Basic Understanding & Guide to a Guitar Setup June 01, 2020 Patrick Benson. Switching between standard E tuning and drop D tuning is so common that some guitarists use special tuning knobs that flip between the two with a switch. Great question! If you have it done, you should ask if you can watch. It is a Gibson SG Special Faded. Action is measured most often with a machinist’s rule (PHOTO 5) as the distance between the string and the top of the 12th fret. I have a bass guitar version on my Fender Jazz bass. But even that won't make much difference. When you set up your guitar, start by making sure your neck is straight. Even a good used one will need some adjusting to get it right for you. How often should a guitarist get a guitar set up? I’ve often thought that even if manufacturers of factory-built guitars did spend time fine-tuning their instruments, the setup could be shot by the time the guitar gets to your door, so perhaps that’s some savvy on the manufacturers’ part—why waste time on a setup if it is likely to change? Most setup guides that I have referenced seem to skip over this crucial step. If your guitar buzzed in middle of the neck and now buzzes above the 12th fret, you’ve likely added too much relief. Remove the Truss Rod Cover; Set the Relief – Capo the first fret and press the 15th fret with your finger, then use your feeler gauge on the 8th fret to measure the height. It really does depend, though. If you’ve been wondering how often you should change your guitar strings, hopefully I can provide a good answer for you here. For many people who are just learning to play the guitar, who think they are sufficiently and diligently maintaining their instrument, it comes as a surprise that every so often, their guitar needs what’s called a “set-up.” I play around 10 hours per week, certainly not professional or anything like that, but I do play some nice guitars and like to keep them in good playing condition. This is quite a small price to pay to make sure your guitar is in good condition. Gain unique insight into the ins and outs of Jimi Hendrix's guitar sound from a man who knew it better than anyone. Affix the capo to the first fret and depress the high E string at the last fret (G string on a bass guitar), or where the neck joins the body (often the 17th fret on Stratocaster and Telecaster guitars). Available at every Guitar Center location; Convenient, consistent quality service; Signature Setup. Not to mention, a new set will just feel smooth and lively underneath your fingers, making you more connected with your guitar. I've never noticed a problem with intonation until recently, which is what led me to take it in. Since every guitar neck, saddle height, nut height, neck angle, fret, and top condition may be slightly different, using some average measurements can give any guitar a basic, comfortable "feel". Wondering how often you guys have your guitar setup (truss adjustment, etc). ... Mayer would often alter circuits in between takes in the studio. On the other hand, some players may prefer a slightly higher action, for example if the guitar is to be used mainly for slide playing. Does it differ for basses? When you first get a bass guitar, either buying it new or getting one used, you'll need to set it up properly in order to play it right. Favorite Answer. Begin by plugging your guitar into the tuner and tuning its strings to … Once you’ve got that starting reference point, you’ll be in a much better position to gauge when it’s time for some setup tweaks. Often they will let you. My three main players were set up when I made them (all before 99). Note: These are minimum specifications that are meant as a guide; they should not be construed as hard and fast rules, as we realize that every player's subjective requirements often differ. On the treble side ... A good setup includes checking a guitar’s electronics. How to Set Up a Bass Guitar. To learn more about John’s repair and … Relevance. There should be a slight gap between the middle of the ruler and the neck, which shows that the guitar is flexing back a bit. Filtering by Tag: how often should you set up a guitar. I took my guitar in for a setup yesterday for the first time in close to 10 years. This 22-point setup includes personalizing all of the parameters of the instrument so it will sound and play its best for the player, cleaning and polishing the instrument, as well as a restring. The first of course is money and convenience, but even more importantly, no one can set up a guitar exactly to what YOU want it. A pack of select strings is included with the setup. 2 Answers. Ok, see ya! How often should you take your guitar to be set up really depends on several factors. For amplified acoustics as well as electrics with active pickups, this means a battery check (and, if necessary, replacement). My guitars never sounded like the intonation was out or anything, it always sounded in tune on the higher frets and I just never felt the need to getting it 'set up' or whatever.. These instruments are machines, which have moving parts, and like any other machine, they require periodic maintenance and adjustment in order to insure a maximum level of performance and … Is that normal? The Secrets of Jimi Hendrix's Guitar Setup: Interview with Roger Mayer.

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