Electric guitar set ups...how often?

[mcarter]

I recently got a Guild Starfire IV. I changed the strings to 11s and the set up prefect. Now all my other guitars don't seem as nice. How often are you people setting up your electrics?

 

[Nuuska]

Over here on this side of The Pond we say : "The americans say - if it works - don't fix it!"

No idea why that wisdom is credited to americans . . .


As for your question - adjust if needed.

 

[mcarter]

Over here on this side of The Pond we say : "The americans say - if it works - don't fix it!"

No idea why that wisdom is credited to americans . . .


As for your question - adjust if needed.

That's kind of what I have been doing. I don't know if it is because it is really cold her and I live in an old house.

 

[SFIV1967]

It depends a little what you define as "setup". If you have big differences in temperature and humidity over the year you definitely have to retune the guitars and also you might have to adjust the truss rod for summer and winter (not usual but might be necessary). Now if you change string thickness you most probably have to adjust the truss rod. A change in pole piece height or pickup height, bridge height, saddle pieces position (intonation) or adjusting the nut slots is something that you need to do less often and mostly only if something feels wrong.

Ralf

 

[mcarter]

It depends a little what you define as "setup". If you have big differences in temperature and humidity over the year you definitely have to retune the guitars and also you might have to adjust the truss rod for summer and winter (not usual but might be necessary). Now if you change string thickness you most probably have to adjust the truss rod. A change in pole piece height or pickup height, bridge height, saddle pieces position (intonation) or adjusting the nut slots is something that you need to do less often and mostly only if something feels wrong.

Ralf

I'm afraid of turning the truss rod! I have not found a good person in my area to service my guitars.

 

[SFIV1967]

I'm afraid of turning the truss rod!

No need to be afraid!
Just tune in 1/8th steps and nothing can happen. See for instance:

Taylor Guitars

Taylor Guitars is a leading manufacturer of acoustic and electric guitars. As well you can build to order via our custom guitar program. Taylor guitars are widely considered among the best-sounding and easiest to play guitars in the world.

www.taylorguitars.com

Ralf

 

[mcarter]

No need to be afraid! Just tune in 1/8th steps and nothing can happen. See for instance:

Taylor Guitars

Taylor Guitars is a leading manufacturer of acoustic and electric guitars. As well you can build to order via our custom guitar program. Taylor guitars are widely considered among the best-sounding and easiest to play guitars in the world.

www.taylorguitars.com

Ralf

Thanks!

 

[SFIV1967]

Plus there are many other good videos on YouTube like, just search a bit, almost anything is explained in detail, depending which guitar models you have.






Ralf

 

[Nuuska]

I have this method when tightening truss rod:

In order to prevent thread stripping when tightening - I put the guitar standing on the floor between my knees while I'm sitting. Then I bend the neck back slightly with one hand and tighten the nut w other. Small amounts at time. Checking between turns.

 

[mcarter]

I took my 73' Telecaster to a local guy, who came recommended for set up. I got it back, all nice and clean. It was still fretting out around the 12th fret. I asked him about it, and he said just raise the strings a little. Isn't that what I was paying for?

 

[lungimsam]

Over here on this side of The Pond we say : "The americans say - if it works - don't fix it!"

No idea why that wisdom is credited to americans . . .


As for your question - adjust if needed.

Here on the mid Atlantic east coast of USA, we say “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

 

[Nuuska]

Here on the mid Atlantic east coast of USA, we say “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

Same difference

 

[mcarter]

I did it! A 1/4 turn really help the playability, thanks everyone.

 

[crank]

Re. fretting out at 12th fret: I would certainly think adjusting action, neck, so that it stopped buzzing would be part of a set up. And if there were problems beyond a simple adjustment he should have called you about it. Did you mention it to him? I mean he certainly should have noticed it though.

I've had my MIM Tele about 4 years and played around with the action and intonation myself. It was too low when I first bought it used. After a few years I started breaking the high E string. Had it set up last year and it's fine now.

My Schecter Strat which I bought new in 1986 has had 2 or 3 set ups over the years. That guitar has been hauled around a lot and played a few hundred gigs.

My 1996 Korean Epiphone Sorento has always played like a dream and has never been worked on beyond changing strings and cleaning. I used to gig with this one too and it was my backup to the Schecter so it also got hauled around a bunch.

 

[mcarter]

Re. fretting out at 12th fret: I would certainly think adjusting action, neck, so that it stopped buzzing would be part of a set up. And if there were problems beyond a simple adjustment he should have called you about it. Did you mention it to him? I mean he certainly should have noticed it though.

I've had my MIM Tele about 4 years and played around with the action and intonation myself. It was too low when I first bought it used. After a few years I started breaking the high E string. Had it set up last year and it's fine now.

My Schecter Strat which I bought new in 1986 has had 2 or 3 set ups over the years. That guitar has been hauled around a lot and played a few hundred gigs.

My 1996 Korean Epiphone Sorento has always played like a dream and has never been worked on beyond changing strings and cleaning. I used to gig with this one too and it was my backup to the Schecter so it also got hauled around a bunch.

Yes, that was the reason I brought it in.

 

[crank]

Yes, that was the reason I brought it in.

I used to use a local guy that everyone locally said was great. Turns out he isn't so great. I found a real luthier by asking here on LTG.

 

[lungimsam]

I only tweak setups if something starts to change. Like intonation starts going out or rattles start. Action starts to feel too low/high, etc.