NFT: BBI Guitarists: Paying for guitar set up

Definitely get that thing setup by someone who knows what they are doing. It is likely to play so much better.

You might also look into a fret job. More pricey but your fingers will thank you for it.

I have an Epiphone I bought because I liked a friends that I need to get set up.
His was set up and there is a noticeable difference. There are some sweet spots on his that I can't quite get to on mine.

What I just paid to have mine done. I needed to have my action raised because I had a couple strings buzzing up against a fret and I didn’t trust myself to get it right

yu need to get setups every few months. It's a must and 45 is a fair price.

I would look around and find a real luthier that can do the work. Don't give it to a butcher. I've made that mistake before... :(

But $45 to have someone put stings on and check the intonation I think is good price. It's NOT like it NEEDS a trus adjustment. Hell my 25+ guild and HB gretsche never needed anything but strings and fret dress (when needed).

If it plays great, keep playing it that way, no need to F with it in the hands of somebody else.

In comment 13873352 sb from NYT Forum said:

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I would look around and find a real luthier that can do the work. Don't give it to a butcher. I've made that mistake before... :(

A J-40 isn't anything I wouldn't trust with in someone else hands....it's not like it belonged to Clapton and the like. For $45 bux have it checked bro and don't worry about it....

Trying to find the cheapest setup could easily backfire in my opinion. Look around for the most reputable luthier and go well with him.

I have never paid less than double that, though only had it done in NY Metro and the Bay Area.

It's very easy to do yourself on most electrics, but acoustics can get difficult because they don't have bridges with screws to adjust intonation.

I've used Erlewine's book many times for various tasks, including setups, but it makes sense to still have it done by a real pro once in a while anyway.

And I still often end up going for electronics issues because of all the components, options and wires in my current and previous main guitars, which are wired based on Jerry Garcia's guitars (3 Pups, coil splitting on the 2 humbuckers, unity gain buffer, battery, OBEL). The wiring cavity looks like the inside of a f-ing 1960s NASA mainframe.

any of you DIYers.
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Where is the high e breaking on the Strat ? Same place every time ? On the bridge ? 00 Steel wool is your friend !

is the go to for videos, tools and parts, though some of their tools are really pricey, so I have shopped around and gotten a lot of things cheaper elsewhere online.


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In comment 13873334 Tim in JTown said:

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Definitely get that thing setup by someone who knows what they are doing. It is likely to play so much better. You might also look into a fret job. More pricey but your fingers will thank you for it.

Do you mean a replacement of the frets ? Not sure why he would need this unless several are worn down and causing intonation problems that cannot be addressed via other means, in which case this is likely to cost north of $500.

If they are just uneven, they can be addressed using a PLEK, or done manually for a couple of hundred. Still, there could be a neck issue, which is why straitening the neck (or a tiny bow) is done first, before addressing any other issues for setup, or more detailed work.

The biggest problem is a few really worn frets that require replacement. Many luthiers will recommend a full fret job, rather than trying to fix only 2 or 3. At which point, it might be best to find a replacement neck rather than get a full fret job. I did this a couple of years ago with my 85 japanese strat. the fret job would have cost the value of the guitar.

is humidified. Do you store it in its case?

My acoustics all have a humidifier and a Humidity and Temperature Sensor. The guitar not being hydrated could cause the guitar to go out of tune. It could also warp the neck and allow the top to crack.

$45 is the going rate for a guitar tech to perform a setup and set intonation.

About $100 on a guitar with a Floyd Rose.

When ever I buy a used guitar which seems to be a lot more lately I always bring the guitar to my favorite tech for a setup.. and then I maintain it from there.

I do keep my J-45 in the case but I have been lazy about keeping a humidifier in there. :( Shame on me.

Sounds like it's worth doing for both.

do yourself a favor and find a reputable luthier and individual that works with professional musicians. They are around but you need to look. Unfortunately anyone can do this with DIY articles and tools but the results vary and it is a skill that requires adaption to the instrument type and goals of the player. Not every player has the same requirement and factory default setups are not appropriate for every musician, although good for the masses. If you are the masses and a casual player maybe you are ok with local music shop work, depends on your goals.

luthier as others have said. There should be a number of great choices in the DC area. Look at the online reviews. The guy I use builds his own awesome line of acoustics and electrics, so I know he really knows his stuff. Set ups are relatively inexpensive. I would much rather have a pro do it (i.e., someone who does these all day long). My '99 Heritage H-575 is in for a set up right now, and my '77 Les Paul was just re-fretted with Evo Gold and set up. I have had the Les Paul since 1982 and it has never played like it plays now. Huge difference.

...it's therapeutic, satisfying and fun to do your own. Mine need tweaking with the seasons.

Find some good how-to vids online. Remember that the tension between the truss rod and strings oppose - that is, if neck is bowing toward strings, tighten truss rod - if bowing away from strings, loosen it.

You'll need a set of allen keys, mini drivers if there are adjustable saddles, a quality tuner - and a set of automotive feeler gauges is recommended, though I find using a coin to set string height works fine. (I use a dime at 12th fret for my Tele)

what I would like is for someone to come over and work on my drums. Not liking some of the tones I am getting and all of my tuning is not really hitting the mark.

In comment 13873510 Rick5 said:

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luthier as others have said. There should be a number of great choices in the DC area. Look at the online reviews. The guy I use builds his own awesome line of acoustics and electrics, so I know he really knows his stuff. Set ups are relatively inexpensive. I would much rather have a pro do it (i.e., someone who does these all day long). My '99 Heritage H-575 is in for a set up right now, and my '77 Les Paul was just re-fretted with Evo Gold and set up. I have had the Les Paul since 1982 and it has never played like it plays now. Huge difference.

Yes, some good ones in the DC area. One of the cool guys that had a Plek machine moved out to Utah. One of my best go to guys for shaking out a new instrument. Then I fine tune it with a guy out in Stevensville.

I do it myself as much as I can. It's not hard to do but it does take patience, can be tedious. If you're not confident to do it yourself, $45 is worth it.

If you are in central NJ and need a reference, I have a good one. Let me know.