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Post subject: Guitar Set up
Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2009 2:28 pm
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I've been told that I should 'set up' my guitar. I know this was answered, but for the life of me, I can't find the darn thread. I want to take in my guitar tomorrow because that low E buzzing is driving me nuts.

What does a 'set up' mean? Are there questions I should ask or things I should look for to make sure I got a 'set up'? I don't want to go in looking like an idiot or be taken advantage of.

Thank you very much.

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Post subject: Re: Guitar Set up
Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2009 2:46 pm
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LadyVendettaAngel wrote:
I've been told that I should 'set up' my guitar. I know this was answered, but for the life of me, I can't find the darn thread. I want to take in my guitar tomorrow because that low E buzzing is driving me nuts.

What does a 'set up' mean? Are there questions I should ask or things I should look for to make sure I got a 'set up'? I don't want to go in looking like an idiot or be taken advantage of.

Thank you very much.


Spariing you all the technical mumbo-jumbo, it involves making your guitar function, play and sound the very best it is capable of. It will be easier to play, in tune wherever you play on it and void of any buzzes or other 'foreign' noises which shouldn't be there in the first place.

You should immediately notice a difference all around with a job well done.

A good tech will also correct any potential problems and offer solutions for any perceived deficiencies inherent in your guitar. This is contingent too, on the following:

As to avoid looking like an idiot or an easy mark, basically all you have to do is walk in there with a perceived air about you that you know what a setup is all about. Tell the tech you've been busy with the guitar and life in general, that you know the guitar is a mess and that it is long overdue for a setup. Tell him or her that it has the 'usual' problems such as buzzing, tuning, annoying action, etc. and for the tech to simply do his or her 'thing'. Again, just carry an air about you like you would do it yourself if you had the time or the inclination.

If the action is too high or low for your taste, tell the tech this up front. Note that you can tell him or her this without said tech perceiving any amateur status on your part. Do know what brand and string gauge you want and when the tech asks, respond instantly and with a committed tone about you.

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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 4:55 pm
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Just dropped off my guitar to get it set up. My room looks bare without it being there. :( I should get it back tomorrow evening. *crossing fingers and toes*

I'm so lame. I said to the guy to take good care of her. He started laughing. :oops: :lol:

I was talking to my colleague who teaches music. He was showing me his trunk full of guitars. :lol: :lol: He showed me one, and I wish I could remember exactly was it was. It was an Ibanez guitar that had the F holes in it in a blue sunburst color. It was a 355? or something like that. It looked awesome.

It sort of looks like this one. This is the best I can come up with so far.

http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Ibanez-Artcore-AGB200-Electric-SemiHollow-Bass-?sku=511837

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I said, "Well, now that I broke that sight off your rifle..." (Emo Philips)


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Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 5:28 pm
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LadyVendettaAngel wrote:
...I'm so lame. I said to the guy to take good care of her. He started laughing. :oops: :lol: ...


Don't give it a second thought. Actually, you did yourself a favor. Most techs always like hearing stuff like that as it puts the task on a more personal level. And believe it or not, they remember stuff like that and usually do a bit more because your guitar is now treated like someone's 'loved one' rather than a routine procedure on an inanimate object.

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Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 7:27 pm
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Yeah, you're right. I know he wasn't laughing at me in a mean sense. It was just kinda funny. It just came out and I didn't even know it.

I know I'm getting old because he looked like such a young 'un to me.

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I said, "Well, now that I broke that sight off your rifle..." (Emo Philips)


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Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 5:59 pm
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Guitar is back home. The guy who set it up plugged it into an amp for me and played it because I wanted to know how it sounded before I ponied up the dough. It sounded okay to me. It did need new strings and a truss rod adjustment. I have to play it myself later on.

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My dad said, "I'm going to miss you."
I said, "Well, now that I broke that sight off your rifle..." (Emo Philips)


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Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 6:10 pm
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LadyVendettaAngel wrote:
Guitar is back home. The guy who set it up plugged it into an amp for me and played it because I wanted to know how it sounded before I ponied up the dough. It sounded okay to me. It did need new strings and a truss rod adjustment. I have to play it myself later on.


I was wondering how you made out.

Actually, YOU should have played it at the shop BEFORE you paid for it and left. This way, if there was still any thng still not to your liking, you could have it corrected right then and there. Remember, you're the one who has to play it, not that guy at the store.

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Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 5:36 pm
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I played it at home, and it sounds fine. I can tell the strings are new and the low E has been readjusted. Sorry I don't know the correct terminology, but the low E looked out of whack. There's a part at the bottom of the guitar where the strings are hooked by a bunch of screws. The low E was way out of alignment (even my music buddy noticed this). When I got it out of the shop, the low E was in line with the other strings and the buzzing was gone.

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My dad said, "I'm going to miss you."
I said, "Well, now that I broke that sight off your rifle..." (Emo Philips)


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Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 5:43 pm
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That's good news, now enjoy!! :)


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Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 5:50 pm
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:lol: I am. She sounds a lot better too. Tone is definitely better.

BTW, how often should one get a 'set up' on a guitar?

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"While My Guitar Gently Weeps."

My dad said, "I'm going to miss you."
I said, "Well, now that I broke that sight off your rifle..." (Emo Philips)


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Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 5:51 pm
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fhopkins wrote:
That's good news, now enjoy!! :)


What he said!!

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