Author Topic: guitar set-ups? (Read 4400 times)

sambo · « **on:** February 24, 2006, 08:50:09 PM »

ok first question: is a guitar set-up done at a shop, really worth the money?- how much difference does it make? (i know it will obviously vary on what state the guitar is in in the first place, but in general for an off-the-shelf guitar- mines a gibbo melody maker to be precise.)

second question: does anyone know a place that does good set-ups in the hertfordshire area? im not going to machinehead just in case someone mentions that place.....

sorry for all the questions but ill never learn unless i ask right?

:D

dave_mc · « **Reply #1 on:** February 24, 2006, 09:00:43 PM »

put simply: yes, if you don't know how to do it yourself (and depending how much you get charged).

sambo · « **Reply #2 on:** February 24, 2006, 09:12:07 PM »

yer ive seen a big variation in prices at the websites ive looked at so far...

what EXACTLY would the usual pro set-up involve? maybe i could do it myself- the action, intonation e.t.c. (not anything to do with frets though) if someone told me how...

dave_mc · « **Reply #3 on:** February 24, 2006, 09:40:39 PM »

mine was basically- new strings, intonation, truss rod etc. (and mine has a floyd)- it was £25, inc. my choice of strings.

Frets weren't touched.

But i could basically do one myself, now.

fret crown and polish, that's a different matter. :D

sambo · « **Reply #4 on:** February 24, 2006, 09:43:28 PM »

lol.

£25 is a decent price... ive been seeing anything from £50 to £90+ but that may involve more extensive stuff...

is a 'fret dress' just what you mentioned there- crown and polish?

Dakine · « **Reply #5 on:** February 24, 2006, 11:03:00 PM »

Sam, unless your frets need it, leave em alone.
I really would encourage you to do the set-up yourself to learn.
There are some great sites that explain intonation. The truss rod (unless getting alot of buzz etc.) you can leave alone. The action/height is easy enough.
Read up Sam and give it a go. It really is'nt too difficult, especially for a budding Engineer ;)

sambo · « **Reply #6 on:** February 24, 2006, 11:04:29 PM »

hahaha lol. cool i'll do some googling somt time this weekend...

what would reduce a bit of fret buzz on the low e string? jsut the action or would you need to do something more...?

Dakine · « **Reply #7 on:** February 24, 2006, 11:09:27 PM »

Sam, the keyword is Intonation. Now it's NOT a 5 minute job BUT not hard and you will be VERY satisfied and proud after doing it yourself. Really all you need is a feeler gauge (ask dad or get one at Halfords for pennies) or good steel rule.

sambo · « **Reply #8 on:** February 24, 2006, 11:11:41 PM »

cool... will do... thanks for the info.

Dakine · « **Reply #9 on:** February 24, 2006, 11:12:02 PM »

http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/columns/gear_maintenance/intonation.html

starting point for ya

sambo · « **Reply #10 on:** February 24, 2006, 11:15:46 PM »

cheers dude. gonna try that this weekend.

Searcher · « **Reply #11 on:** February 25, 2006, 01:58:45 AM »

For intonation you need an accurate tuner. Unless you have a rack-mounted tuner or a strobe, the next best thing is one with a needle. The cheap led-light tuners aren't generally as reliable for this kinda precision.

As for doing all this yourself, it's not that hard, really. And if you mess up, you can always get someone to fix it. If you play around with the truss rod, make sure you don't turn it too much.

For action adjustments, you usually do it at the bridge or nut. Turning the truss rod isn't really the way to adjust action on an electric guitar. The truss rod is used to address relief, which is the bow of the neck, not the overall height of the strings.

sambo · « **Reply #12 on:** February 25, 2006, 11:00:48 AM »

yer ive been looking at that ultimate-guitar article nick posted above: it says usually the truss rod isnt actually needed at all- like you said its the bridge (or nut).

gonna try it some time this weekend hopefully. ill keep you guys posted with how it goes.