To set-up or not to set-up?

[Handsome Devil]

I have recently bought an Epiphone Riviera, its semi acoustic thing, similar to a casino. I just not entirely satisfied with the way it plays though, it doesnt play as nice as my other guitars. I don't know any body else who has this guitar, and all the other ones I've tried in guitar shops play the same. So when buying a brand new guitar (esp. from a mail order company like I did), do you have to have it proffessionally set up? I don't want to waste £30 having it set up if it doesnt need it.
thanks

[alienate]

you should get it set up every few months anyway. if you don't like the way it plays, and every other guitar of the same make plays the same, it's probably the guitar that doesn't work for you. figure out what it is about the guitar that you don't like, and find a guitar that does work for you.

[Surferosad]

Or you could learn to set it up yourself. Believe me, it ain't rocket science! You just need common sense and some patience.

[Dusty]

I absolutely agree with Gururyan (whose I agree with way too often). The money you would spend on getting it set up is so little compared to how much better it will play its ridiculous. Especially if its fresh from the factory (especially especially brand new Gibsons which are factory set for ****), you almost have to go take it to get set up in that situation. Anyway, enough ranting right? My vote goes with to set up.

[zepolant]

I agree. Spend the money to set up. I have an Epiphone DOT Ltd. It played like garabage when I first bought it, but once it was set up, it's one of my favorite guitars

[skyneverclaimed]

What does setting up a guitar actually do... i've never had mine professionally set-up, and they always play jsut fine :confused:

[VillageIdiot]

Originally posted by gururyan
Many tech's can't even play guitar, it's not thier specialty. Fixing and noticing problems is thier specialty.


I dunno about that... if they couldn't play then they wouldn't be able to tell if it was tuned or not... or if the set up of the amp was working properly.

[skyneverclaimed]

Well... how much you think it would cost me? for 2 guitars?

[Malcolm203]

anywheres from 30 to 50 is a good range for a setup (depending on the place, etc.). You might be able to work out a deal to have 2 guitars set up. You'll have to pay for strings too.

You can't deny what the pros will do, (check/adjust intonation, check pots, check tuners, adjust pickups, etc.). Yeah, you can learn most of it yourself, but only experience will get you to that level.

And of course, the best techs are the players...the ones who use and know their equipment. If they're smart, they learn their bands songs too (Metallica, anyone? When Hetfield burned his arm, his tech became the rhythm guitarist for a while).

[corvette]

I would spend the money and have it set up......

A typical Epi set up for me is:

1. Check all the frets to ensure the edges are not lifting.....this is a common problem. You may also find a few high spots around the 12th fret. If there are loose frets, I glue them down with Hot Stuff Glue, and then do a fret dress. This will give you a place to start from.

2. I cut the nut height down and reshape the slots so there is no binding at the nut.....I also tighten up the machine heads.

3. I smooth out the high bridge saddles, and reshape the slots so they don't break strings. The saddles are soft, so they tend to wear down and cut strings.

4. I do the truss rod, action, intonation, and pickup balance, as well as restringing with a 10 guage string or higher....the scale length seems to work better with a thicker guage.

Once you get it worked over, it will be a happier guitar......and you will be a happier player!
Good Luck,
corvette

[clifford]

i think i need mine set up then by the way things sound.. i have no idea what kind of action i like though, since im assuming thats part of the deal (on my electric anyway).. so do i just say "set it up, man" since i dont know what my preference is on action and what have you? any tips on finding a person skilled enough to do this?

and billy howerdel from a perfect circle was NIN and tools tech before maynard agreed to sing for/with him (correct me if im wrong).. and he does some awesomm stuff

[corvette]

Originally posted by gururyan
huh? This is why I let "pro's" do it.

It's like a car, I can drive it fine...I can do the basics like changing a flat, checking the fluids, even replace the disc brake pads. But anything else, I would rather a pro do it. I don't have the time (or interest) to learn how to change a timing belt. I feel the same about guitar. I know how to change the strings and make some miner adjustments, but I'll leave all the tweaking to a pro. I accidently mis-adjusted my floating bridge once...I spent hours trying to get it set just right again. I gave up. There are 10 adjustable screws on it, I don't know how they are supposed to be so screw it. Let a pro have the headache. I just want to play.


This is what I do for a living.....and have for 20 years......I was listing a typical setup on an import guitar that I do.
There are lots of people who "just want to play" ......which is great, cause it keeps me employed!
corvette

[Greyskull]

Originally posted by Handsome Devil
I have recently bought an Epiphone Riviera, its semi acoustic thing, similar to a casino. I just not entirely satisfied with the way it plays though, it doesnt play as nice as my other guitars. I don't know any body else who has this guitar, and all the other ones I've tried in guitar shops play the same. So when buying a brand new guitar (esp. from a mail order company like I did), do you have to have it proffessionally set up? I don't want to waste £30 having it set up if it doesnt need it.
thanks

Whenever I buy a guitar (new or used), the first thing I do is take it to the shop for a professional set up by a tech I trust. I always figure the price of a pro set up with the cost of a guitar...why pay $700 for a guitar that plays "alright" when for a few dolars more you can have it play like a dream ?