Getting my guitar "set up"?

Question

Okay, I'm a mediocre guitarist, and I've heard about getting a guitar "set up" several times, but I have no idea what it is.

Anyone care to enlighten me? How helpful is this thing anyways?

Answer 1

Okay, first off, what kind of guitar?

If it's an acoustic, just make sure that the action (height of strings) is to your preference, low enough for easy playability, high enough to avoid frequent buzzing (from hitting the strings).  Make sure everything with it is in order, you know, strings are put on right, neck isn't bowed or warped or anything... etc.  Also, throw a set of new strings on it.... I use DR medium/light gauge strings, they have a great tone and ring, pretty good sustain.  Make sure it's in tune as well Lol.  I believe you can check the intonation for an acoustic as well, but it's harder to fix on an acoustic.

If it's an electric then there's a few more things.....

Check the action (height of strings)

On some guitars, check the intonation (make sure that the 12 fret harmonics are the same as 12 fret note, not sharp or flat)

Play around with the settings on it, switch the pickups around to find the right sound, play with the tone control, etc.

Make sure that everything is in order, all the screws, bolts, nuts, etc. aren't going to fall off, (I've heard of the instrument cable jack falling inside of a guitar due to loose nut....) the neck isn't warped... etc.

Play around with the settings on the amp too, don't just turn all the tone k***s up to 10, get it dialed in to get your "brown sound" if possible.

Answer 2

lol that just means getting it in tune, getting the amp working properly, tunes set correctly, things like that, mate.

Answer 3

All guitars are not made equally. All guitar techs and luthiers are not equal either.

As a semi-pro it is important for me to have my guitars set up just the way I like them.  Electrics with .0010's on them, low action without fretting out, a pretty straight neck with just a little relief in the 7 - 9 fret range.  

I don't know where you live, but I'm in Palo Alto in N. CA.  I have found Gryphon Stringed Instruments to be very reliable for set ups.  While they have a pretty large repair department and any of their techs will do a nice job, I am a big fan of Brian Michael's work.  He is also a luthier and has a couple of very nice electrics for sale in the shop.  You can find out more about Gryphon at their website:

http://www.gryphonstrings.com/

I also have nice guitars and so in a way the high quality of craftsmanship makes them easier to set up nicely.  But weather and humidity can always cause a neck to change it's position, no matter the quality.

I suggest you ask around- other players locally- who they like for set ups.  You'll find different prices, turn around times and quality of work as you check out the different guitar techs.  If you're happy with the sound and how your neck plays, then you should just enjoy it and not worry about a set up.

Answer 4

Hey there!

Setting up a guitar is just a simple thing that someone in a guitar store'll do for you, which is mainly just adjusting how high or low the strings are off the frets. It also can sometimes include changing strings too, but that's about it!

It can really help if you're struggling because your strings are too high, or if you hear your guitar buzz when you play, it might be because they're too low.

Good luck and God Bless!

Answer 5

Setting up a guitar is adjusting the intonation so the guitar stays in tune all the way up the neck. This is an electric guitar thing so it does not apply to you with an acoustic. Hope this was helpful.

Answer 6

when you say that it could mean 2 things your setup could mean the gear that you use amp,pedals , guitar or the setup of your guitar in the case of electric, intonation, truss rod , string height. usually with acoustic you have some of the same ideas as well. heres a site

http://www.projectguitar.com/tut/tutoria...