I just finished some quality time with my guitar again; a 60's Classic Player Strat, 2009 model. This time I changed strings, polished the body, adjusted the pick-ups abit (don't know what for, 'cause I can't measure precisely enough) and tried getting some off that still-stuck-on plastic coating off all the tricky spots.
The problem is:
I can definitely say that it doesn't play the way it is supposed to, atleast not in my ears. There are odds and sodds that make my spine shiver. The action is way off, the tremelo and saddle needs adjusting, so does the pick-ups and most likely the tross rod aswell. I am aware of that it should all say in the Strat setup guide and manual online, but since it is my first time experience, got it in February, I tread with caution. Since I figured that someday I must get get to know both the insides and outsides aswell, I've tried doing my bit off "guitar surgery", including taking the fret-board off and the other things I did today. However, I do not want to ruin it, costing me lots of money.
The question is then:
Shall I try doing the set-up myself, or shall I leave it to the pros downtown? They will probably charge me more than my annual salary, but will it be worth it concidering that the risk of me demolishing the beautiness is there?
What did you guys do all those years ago, compared to today?
In advance; thank you.

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When 900 years you reach, look as good you will not!
- Master Yoda

Buy The Guitar Players Repair Guide by Dan Erlewine.

Seems you might have bitten off more than you can chew, I'd take it to the shop and have them set it up, you could find someone online close to you and check their prices, it wont be as much as you expect, good luck

I do all my own set-ups; however, when I cannot get it right, I take it to the pros. I would say I might have taken my guitar to the shop for a set maybe 3 time in the last 15 years.

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RK

2007 Fender Highway 1
2012 American Deluxe
2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head

Hi Boffer: I paid for some years, then I got into doing it myself.

I maintain my guitars because it interests me. I pay someone else to maintain my car because its innards bore me.

In other words, follow your instinct.

Good luck - C

I am lucky enough to be friends with the best luthier in my town and I trust repairs, setups, etc to only him. It really makes a difference to be able to go in and talk to your luthier and tell him exactly what you want and for him to know your playing style personally.

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Blues with a feeling.

GUILD GUITARS: MADE TO BE PLAYED!

Don't cut off your nose to spite your face. If you don't know what you are doing, bring it to a true pro. Contrary to popular belief, it won't cost you your left lung or first born. If said pro is really busy however, don't expect your guitar to be done instantly upon your arrival nor that you will be allowed to sit in when your guitar eventually does get worked on. I will say this though: Again, with said service(wo)man being a true pro, busy or not, (s)he will take the time to ask and understand your requirements and when the job is done, (s)he will have you play your guitar before you leave the shop, doing whatever final tweaks if and as necessary to ensure that you are indeed, totally satisfied.

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You dig?

+1 on what Martian said.

You should try to learn to do it self for those times when you can't use a pro, but if you have never done it - leave it to a pro.

Gil, not a pro in any sense (music wise), but I'm learning to do it myself ...

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Where ever you go, there you are

1998 Ovation 1861 Standard Balladeer Natural
Taka - 2005 Squier '51 Black
Yume - 2006 Squier Strat Cherryburst
Houbi - 2008 Fender VG Strat Blizzard Pearl - won here
Fender Super Champ XD; Vox DA-5

I treat my guitars like my wife, only I touch them. I have this thing that if it is messed up I only have myself to blame and I like it that way. I get a great sense of satisfaction when I do my own set ups and maintenance on my gear.

ABS

If its a new guitar (ahem, especially a Fender!), its unlikely to need any fretwork etc.

The instructions on the Fender site are a great starting point, and there are loads of good "how to's" on youtube and on the Web generally which you should watch and read before getting started.

Adjustments are all within the scope of an amateur, and there's no harm in giving it a go. The only thing that could actually cause damage potentially is the truss rod adjustment, but only if you go way overboard- just use little tweaks at a time (eighth of a turn at a time).

The point is, if you learn basic set-up skills yourself by trial and error, these are useful skills learnt to set any guitar up to suit you.

Just do things a little at a time, and if it sounds wrong, turn the screw back a bit the other way!

I still leave nut and fret adjustments (anything involving a file!) to a good tech.

Thanks alot for all the good tips and sharing of experience, guys.
I think I'll take it down to get it "revised", maybe after I've tried setting the string action and pickup height etc. It would be really learningful to sit with the technician doing it, though. And hopefully, contrary to popular and my belief, it won't cost me my first born (guitar?).

For everyone's consideration: This is going to be a bit unpopular but it is reality nonetheless. Ironically, this involves the most competent of techs all the way down to the least of bottom feeder hacks posing as techs.

Most techs truly love when instruments come in to be serviced after the owners have tried servicing them themselves, using something they read or watched as a guide. The tech first have to undo whatever the owner did to it ($$$) and then, redo it correctly (more $$$).

I see post after post where advice is given for the player to sit down with his or her tech for the purpose of being essentially, "elbow trained" in how to properly set up an instrument, solder, etc.

This really isn't going to happen on any kind of large scale.

See, first and foremost, this is how the tech makes a living and certainly, he or she is not going to teach each customer who is interested in guitar servicing how to effectively compete with him or her to where ultimately, future business is exponentially lost. Sure, many may be able to sit with their tech and ask general questions during whatever procedure, but the vast majority of techs are not going to disclose all the nuances of the task.

Financial suicide, especially in a dismal economy is always counterintuitive. YMMV.

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You dig?

In this opinion and successfully in this experience:

Do the little stuff yourself.

Then take it to a hot pro for setup. Tell them what gauge of strings you like, what height of action, what type of music you intend to play (including how far you intend to bend the vibrato).

'Am a personal happy picker from using this process. Recommended in metro Chicago; Third Coast Guitars, and especially tech andon Davis.

Below is a copy of my post form a similar thread

If I buy a new guitar it gets a full set up and any work it may need doing buy a Tech and will do as long as i own it.

The guy who set my Godin up was great! A full setup, string change, truss rod adjustment and a bit of fret work (the ends mainly) all for £35. I gave him £40 because he went the extra mile to give me a run down on how to maintain the guitar, where it was made and his thoughs on the value. The action is still amazing 4 years later. (The Tech was working at G.A.K in Brighton i haven't need to go there for years now so don't know if he is still there) Top chap

All my parts-casters and guitars I've built get serviced by me.

I've set friends and collegues guitars up for them but i insist that they are present throughout the process and I refuse payment as I am by no means a Guitar Tech or Luthier. I am an Amatuer Hobbyist at best.

I'd recommend making sure you talk to your tech and make sure he /she knows exactly what you want. Then before leaving, make sure they are present when you test it out. The guy i used insisted.

Andy

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Pending Greatness