I bought a new strat today (Fender American Select HSS) which is fantastic and I've been playing it most of the day. I usually bring new guitars in for a setup soon after purchasing, but so far everything feels just about perfect on this one. Sounds great, action is low with no buzzing, intonation is dead on, stays in tune, etc.

I am thinking about skipping out on the setup this time since it already seems so well setup. I also know it is always a good idea to have new guitars setup, so I keep going back and forth. What do you think...should I bring it in for a setup anyway, or just keep enjoying it (if it ain't broke don't fix it!) as long as there are no issues?

It should be set up pretty good. Give it about a month to adjust to its environment and then get it set up. Ask the store where your purchased it to see if they will do a free set up in a month. Best of all if you plan to own a few guitars in your lifetime, try to learn how to do a set up yourself. It will save you time and money, and you will have it play and feel right all the time.

Hey if it feels right and plays sweet... Dont mess with it

_________________
Hey, Boy Blue is back!

The simple answer is yes.

_________________
Marriage is like playing cards...

At first all you want are Hearts and Diamonds.

But in the end, all you really want is a Club and a Spade.

Good advice...thanks. I definitely should learn how to set up a guitar on my own - that is one area I have neglected. I am a little nervous about potentially screwing something up, but I could always set up my MIM strat first to get a feel for everything.

The guitar should have came with a owners manual. One thing to remember in learning the do set up, make little changes (not big ones) at a time and play it to see how what you did changed the sound and feel of your guitar. In doing this process, you will soon know what each of your actions have on your guitar, and you will be able to set it up like a pro.

Look at it this way.... If you try to set it up yourself, and get it all messed up, Then bring it in for a setup. You were going to anyway, so you aren't really out anything, and you gained some experience in doing your own setup. I remember the first time i tried to swap a set of pickups. Couldn't get it right and had to bring it in, but now I change pickups no problems. I mean if you don't try it yourself, and you just bring it in, You'll always be bringing it in. Buy a book or read some instructions online, What have you got to lose. I doubt you'll damage anything that cant be fixed. Just don't go crazy with your Truss Rod Adjustments

You guys have inspired me to attempt a setup! It did come with an owners manual, but are there any good books you would recommend that would also be helpful?

I think that you should leave well enough alone for now and read up on any material on setups so when the time comes that she needs a setup you'll be able to handle things yourself.

_________________
'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

dan erlewine: How To Make Your Guitar Play Great. great book. easy to follow.

_________________
63supro
"The good thing is in a club situation, most of the patrons are trashed and really can't tell the difference."

Its all what the guitarist wants. Just find out what feels best and what you like best.

I think it's a good idea to know how to do your own setup and understand your guitar. I setup my Guild myself for the first time after being motivated by this forum. My Am Dlx HSS felt pretty good when I got it. No buzzes and the intonation was perfect. After three weeks I decided to take it into a well regarded local vintage shop for a setup, because I wanted to make sure my new guitar was perfect. Truthfully, I can't feel or hear any difference, except they put a new set of strings on it and the high E is kind of dead. I'd say learn to do your own and check the setup you've got. You're probably in good shape, but at least you'll know.

_________________
'10 American Deluxe HSS Sunset Metallic
'10 JA-90 Thinline Telecaster
'15 Music Man JP-15 Blueberry Burst
'07 Les Paul Standard Faded LCPG #82
'14 Carvin ST300
'12 Carvin CS424S
'66 Guild Starfire IV w/Bigsby
'14 Warmouth Partscaster Daphne Blue

i dont care what anybody says, your never as close to your guitar as you think you are if you dont do your own setups. you want one on one time with your guitar, break it down, do a fret leveling, and set it back up to your spec. its a whole new experience turst me.
i have been learning this myself. go to the garage, the jam room, the bathroom i dont care, talk to that guitar and tell her your intentions. talk to it the whole time, talk yourself through it. get a book on it if ya have to. break it down, and do the deal and slowly bring it back to life, a new life by your own hand. when it all comes together again you will experience a one on one like you never have before. you guys that have been doing your own forever and a day, i feel sorry for you guys because what im experiencing
you have forgotten about.

_________________
63supro
"The good thing is in a club situation, most of the patrons are trashed and really can't tell the difference."

If it ain't broke (yet)...Don't fix it.

+1 on learning how to do it yourself in the future. No one knows how you like your guitars setup better than...you.

Here is a link to the Fender setup guide..http://www.fender.com/support/articles/stratocaster-setup-guide


I also found this book VERY helpful: http://www.amazon.com/Fender-Stratocaster-Handbook-Maintain-Troubleshoot/dp/0760329834

_________________
"I like the way he puts Yngwie J. Malmsteen on his album covers. You know,....so you don't confuse him with all the other Yngwie Malmsteens in the business"


2008 Fender MIM Stratocaster
2010 Epiphone Masterbilt
2009 Fender Super Champ XD

I have to disagree. The answer to this question can only be "42".

Cheers

David

_________________
"Humans think they are smarter than dolphins because we build cars and buildings and start wars etc...and all that dolphins do is swim in the water, eat fish and play around. Dolphins believe that they are smarter for exactly the same reasons."