Guitar Set up

[trackman]

As you guys have read from one of my previous threads, I recently acquired a Les Paul. I need to have it set up. What do I need to look for when someone sets-up a guitar? How do I know a good set-up from a bad one? Are there questions I should ask the person before I turn over my baby to them? Are there things that must be done as compared to "fluff service" or doesn't need to be done but is nice to have?

Please help me out. This is my first "real" (current: Epi SG Special = beginner guitar) guitar and I want to treat it right so that I can squeeze all the potential out of this LP before I am ready to move up again! I'm working on the wife for the next one (guitar, amp, pedal, you know how it is) as we speak!

[funkStrat_97]

For a basic set up, you could just go to Guitar Center or some other retailer.  Where are you from?  I can ask around on another forum for a reccomendation for you.

Quote:  I'm working on the wife for the next one (guitar, amp, pedal, you know how it is) as we speak!

Work away my borhter !

[mt_spiffy]

I would be skeptical of a set up from any guitar center-type place.  Plenty of guys can do it well, but plenty of guys also will do half a job, and since it is your first, you may not know the difference.  I would take it to a luthier or a shop that specializes in repairing guitars.  A good setup should cost $25-35 or so, plus the cost of strings. 

[gtrdave]

A proper set-up would:

set the intonation (string length)

set the string height across the fretboard to the player's preference. This could include filing or filling-and-recutting the current nut OR replacing the nut with a new nut, filing the bridge saddles as needed, adjusting the neck as needed, and possibly some fret clean-up

adjust the pickups (including polepieces) to their optimum height to ensure equal volume across all strings

Unless you know of a Guitar Center that has a pro tech shop, I'd avoid them and look for a local reputable luthier.
A set-up like I described could cost $75 but it will change a guitar from difficult and not much fun to play to something you won't want to put down.

[mt_spiffy]

$75?  The most I've ever paid is $50, and I felt as though I was thoroughly ripped off.  My guy does all that for around $30 depending on how much work is needed.

[trackman]

I'm in the detroit area. I just moved to this area so I don't know of any shops around. My only connection is the Guitar center.

[gtrdave]

$75?  The most I've ever paid is $50, and I felt as though I was thoroughly ripped off.  My guy does all that for around $30 depending on how much work is needed.

I guess it's all relative or something.
I've done setups for free but that didn't involve any nut work at all. THAT'S where the real money can come in and it's an often overlooked part of a complete setup, imho, so I'll gladly pay to have someone else do a pro job in that regard.

[jlynnb1]

$75?  The most I've ever paid is $50, and I felt as though I was thoroughly ripped off.  My guy does all that for around $30 depending on how much work is needed.

yeah, but that can be the difference in some guy just raising or lowering your bridge and adjusting the truss to doing all the stuff that Dave mentioned. i have no problem paying an expert to make my guitar the best it can be, which might include nut work, fret work, etc.

some guys will charge you 30 bucks and say it's the best your guitar can be, and that it can't be adjusted anymore......someone who knows what they are doing might charge you more, but will let you know that if they level a fret here or there, they can significantly increase the playability of the guitar the other guy said was as good as it was going to get. i prefer to drop the extra coin and have my guitars the best they can be.

[RedsFan75]

I'm in the detroit area. I just moved to this area so I don't know of any shops around. My only connection is the Guitar center.

Best setup I ever got on a guitar was from Elderly.  Don't know how far it is from you... but..

Directions: Directions to Elderly Instruments, 1100 N. Washington, Lansing, Michigan

From the East (Detroit)
# I-96 West to US-127 North
# Exit Grand River Ave./M-43
# Left (west) on Grand River/M-43 for 0.8 mi.
# Merges into Oakland Ave./M-43; continue straight ahead on multi-lane Oakland/M-43 for another 1.3 mi.
# Right on N. Washington Ave. 2 blocks

[trackman]

Redsfan,

I've had so many players out here tell me about this place! It just keeps slipping from my mind. It's about a 45 min drive from me. Not too far to preserve a large investment. Thanks man!

[mt_spiffy]

yeah, but that can be the difference in some guy just raising or lowering your bridge and adjusting the truss to doing all the stuff that Dave mentioned. i have no problem paying an expert to make my guitar the best it can be, which might include nut work, fret work, etc.

some guys will charge you 30 bucks and say it's the best your guitar can be, and that it can't be adjusted anymore......someone who knows what they are doing might charge you more, but will let you know that if they level a fret here or there, they can significantly increase the playability of the guitar the other guy said was as good as it was going to get. i prefer to drop the extra coin and have my guitars the best they can be.

I've made that mistake before . . . when I was charged $50 it came out playing exactly the same, as though they barely touched it at all.  Now I take my guitar to a professional luthier.  A setup generally includes (or should) the things Dave mentions, but if extra is required then it gets done.  I had my frets dressed about a year ago on my electric, I'm probably going to get it done on my acoustic soon.

[jlynnb1]

I've made that mistake before . . . when I was charged $50 it came out playing exactly the same, as though they barely touched it at all.  Now I take my guitar to a professional luthier.  A setup generally includes (or should) the things Dave mentions, but if extra is required then it gets done.  I had my frets dressed about a year ago on my electric, I'm probably going to get it done on my acoustic soon.

that still doesn't change the fact that it's worth it to get a good set up, even if it costs extra. most of the time if you are paying a pro (not the kid at the music store wearing the nirvana t-shirt), it'll cost more, but it'll definitely be worth it.

[lilBB]

regarding adjusting the pickup/pole height for volume, how would i adjust it if i wanted more volume on my High E and B strings? I play a semi-hollow and it is never loud enough when i play the top two, and rather than buy new pickups, are ya'll saying i can adjust the height?

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks

[JayP5150]

Just screw the pole pieces out a bit for those two strings (counter-clockwise, that is).  If you look at a few websites, you can find recommended heights for various pickups (I know www.mrgearhead.com has all the specs for fender stuff, and I think most of your pickup manufacturers have recommendations for their pickups--find something similar to what you have, and then fine tune it from there).