If you know what a guitar setup is, you are way ahead of most novice guitar players. Far too often I have seen students playing guitars in bad condition, truss rod too loose or to tight, intonation out, pick up height off, etc. A properly setup instrument can mean the difference between an okay guitar, and a great one!
During a guitar setup, a technician will examine your instrument and make any necessary adjustments to the neck and string height, paying close attention to the condition of the nut and the saddle. The intonation is also adjusted. This will insure that your guitar will play in tune up the neck. Even the height of the pickups is set to ensure an even sound.
Why do I need a setup?
During a guitar setup, a technician will examine your instrument and make any necessary adjustments to the neck and string height, paying close attention to the condition of the nut and the saddle. The intonation is also adjusted. This will insure that your guitar will play in tune up the neck. Even the height of the pickups is set to ensure an even sound.
Why do I need a setup?
Unless you purchased your guitar from a luthier who built your guitar from start to finish, you need to have your guitar setup. This is especially true if you purchased an inexpensive guitar. A setup on one of these instruments will take it from train wreck to playable. Often times, beginning guitarists lose motivation to practice because they have to fight their instrument to get clean sounding notes. In most cases, a setup will make the guitar easier to play. Remember, all starter guitars need setups! This routine maintenance will also protect your investment. Guitars are generally made of wood. Wood constantly changes with time as well as temperature and humidity. The guitar you buy today will not sound exactly the same as it will 5, 10 or 20 years from now. With regular maintenance, it should sound better.
Why didn't anyone explain a setup to me when I purchased my guitar?
Why didn't anyone explain a setup to me when I purchased my guitar?
There are many music stores out there that do not express to their customers the importance of having a guitar properly setup. The truth is most all guitars should get a setup at purchase. Many instruments are purposely made with a lot room for adjustment. This makes them play a little awkward “out-of-the-box”. Each player is different and has different performance needs. Experienced guitar players have their new instruments setup to suit their style, whether it's a low action, a high action, lighter strings or heavy strings, all of these changes affect the instrument's intonation. These adjustments should never be attempted on your own. It's very important to bring your instrument to a trustworthy guitar technician to get it setup to suit your style of play. If you bought your guitar from us, no worries! We set up all guitars before sale :-) If you're interested in a setup for you or your child's guitar, just let me know at your next lesson or send me an email at gallaghersmusic@comcast.net
