Re: Guitar setups
- From: "Cyberserf" <cybrserf@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: 9 Dec 2005 06:43:05 -0800
Tad Huggins wrote:
> I have just purchased a new Gibson Les Paul Custom and am considering having
> a pro set it up for me. I have gotten pretty good at setting the neck bow,
> action and intonation and have the guitar playing really good so I'm not
> sure if a pro setup is worth the $80 bucks that I would be charged. What is
> typically done to a guitar with a pro setup? Also, is there anything that
> can be done to extend the life of frets? I seem to wear through them pretty
> fast.
>
Tad,
As pointed out, a setup is a series of operations designed to make your
guitar play as well is it can for you. The typical adjustments include
1) Saddle action, 2) Nut action, 3) Neck relief, and 4) Intonation.
You've got most of the bases covered. However, in addition, a full
professional setup typically includes an examination of the overall
health of your instrument.
This check-up should include an examination of the frets for wear or
improper seating, looking at the fingerboard for wear and, conditioning
the fingerboard if this is required, checking the electronics and
adjusting the height of your pickups, examining the neck angle and the
health of the neck joint, checking the health of your truss rod
(typically lubricating it), examining the bridge joint and adjusting
the break angle to the pins and/or tailpiece, examining the tremolo
system, looking at the internal braces and fingers as well as the
health of the blocks and kerfing, tightening of all the hardware and,
finally cleaning the body. Of course, some of these steps may not be
applicable to your instrument, but a full setup should look at your
whole instrument.
The prices for this service is typically around $40 - $65 USD (2005)
plus the cost of new strings and other material, but, as always, prices
may vary in your area depending largely on supply and demand (though
$80 seems high). Check the local music stores; they often have their
own in-house technicians or, they should, at least, be able to
recommend someone who is qualified.
The idea here is to get it done once...properly to your liking...with
your direct input...Here's an important tip: If the tech doesn't want
you around when he is setting up your instrument, unless you are sure
he knows exactly how you like it, go elsewhere...he's clueless.
Once you've got the baseline, your current skills at adjustments should
allow you to maintain this equilibrium, or, should your style evolve,
it will allows for further refinements to suit your new approach and so
long as you aren't switching to radically different string gauges, you
should be well placed to make these future adjustments yourself.
Of course, you could always wait until it is right off and then bring
it in...no point paying someone to do what you've already done and if
it plays well for you now, then the prudent thing is to just keep
playing!
Cheers, CS
.
- References:
- Guitar setups
- From: Tad Huggins
- Guitar setups
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