How often do you get your guitar set-up?

[hareek]

CTN and I were having a small discussion on this in the off-topic area so I decide to start a thread dedicated to it. CTN sets up his axe every few string changes, but at a minimum every change of season. I haven't had my guitar set-up since 1999. In all honesty, I'm most likely way over due for one, but I still feel like once a season is overkill if you're storing your guitar in a case when you're not playing it and it stays indoors most of the time. Anyway it's an interesting discussion none the less and I'd like to get everyone's take on it. Thanks!

 

[kilphody]

Re: How often do you get your guitar set-up?

It all depends on how often you play that guitar. My three main players were set up when I made them (all before 99). I'll tweak the truss rod if needed on occasion or if I change string gauge or do a fret level/crown, but I think the golden rule here is "If it ain't broke don't fix it. If it feels good do it". lol
I check my intonation all the time by ear and if it seems a little off it goes to the 490 for a fine tune.

PS- Great avitar. Love Mr Bean!

 

[CTN]

Re: How often do you get your guitar set-up?

Well see part of the reason I insist on seasonal setups (at minimum) is because the change of seasons up here is drastic. At the depth of winter, it goes from -20 C (-4F) to mid to high thirties sometimes low forties (95 - 105+ F), with bizarrely fluctuating humidity. In summer it's humid as hell. In winter, sometimes it's humid, sometimes it's dry as dust. Spring and Fall are usually wet and grotesque with wildly fluctuating temperatures from around 0 to 20+ C (30 - 70+ F)

If I set up a guitar in the middle of summer, then by the time Fall comes around, that setup needs to be tweaked. And once winter hits, it needs to be setup again. And as a result of the radical weather changes outside, the climate indoors also tends to change quite a bit. I keep all my guitars out of case, because they all get played pretty regularly.

If I lived in a part of the world with steady, consistent weather year-round, then I'd probably be fine leaving them alone for longer periods of time.

 

[Chris of Arabia]

How often do you get your guitar set-up?

Whenever I think one needs something, but mostly, they don't seem to need much. I've just re-done the Lonestar whilst I was putting the Demon and SSL52's in, but that's probably the first time it's been touched in 10 years.

 

[TheLivingDead]

Re: How often do you get your guitar set-up?

VERY rarely.

Like once-every-10-years rarely.

I try to do my own set ups.

 

[Zerberus]

Re: How often do you get your guitar set-up?

I listen closely every time I restring and pay attention to how the guitar plays otherwise. And if something sounds or feels off the guitar gets a quick check and if necessary the whole 9 yards, starting with the trussrod. They generally all get checked by playing at least once a week, except for those that are benched for whatever reasons.

Most of my guitars haven`t been setup or even tweaked in about 10 years or so. A good, strong neck and a good Floyd have somewhat of a bulletproofing effect in that sense, and the climate around here is relatively stable, it`s VERY rarely more than 5° below freezing in teh winter or above 25-30°C in the summer, and the humidity is pretty constant, too.

I can generally take any guitar out of it`s case and know it`s snortin` fire and ready to go burn down someone`s garage.

 

[PunkMetalhead42]

Re: How often do you get your guitar set-up?

If I put a different string gauge on, I'll give the guitar the full set-up treatment. Otherwise, I usually just double-check the intonation and start playing.

 

[kilphody]

Re: How often do you get your guitar set-up?

I've played LP's from the 50's and 60's that had factory sets and were NEVER touched since w/ killer action. But maybe that's the way I just happen to like them- or it was all in my head playing a 59...
PC

 

[Zerberus]

Re: How often do you get your guitar set-up?

I've played LP's from the 50's and 60's that had factory sets and were NEVER touched since w/ killer action. But maybe that's the way I just happen to like them- or it was all in my head playing a 59...
PC

All depends on when it was. If it was in the 50s and 60s it`s very likely, but post 2000 I`d be a bit skeptical.

 

[hareek]

Re: How often do you get your guitar set-up?

PS- Great avitar. Love Mr Bean!

Ha thanks! Yeah he's hilarious and his humor breaks all language barriers since there's no talking.

Well see part of the reason I insist on seasonal setups (at minimum) is because the change of seasons up here is drastic. At the depth of winter, it goes from -20 C (-4F) to mid to high thirties sometimes low forties (95 - 105+ F), with bizarrely fluctuating humidity. In summer it's humid as hell. In winter, sometimes it's humid, sometimes it's dry as dust. Spring and Fall are usually wet and grotesque with wildly fluctuating temperatures from around 0 to 20+ C (30 - 70+ F)

Ahh good point man yeah that definitely makes sense. Down here in VA the weather extremes aren't as drastic as what you describe.

Whenever I think one needs something,

I listen closely every time I restring and pay attention to how the guitar plays otherwise.

I guess this seems to be the key here.....check it out and listen to it. If it sounds like it needs a set-up, do it. If it sounds fine, rock on.

 

[Rockstar216]

Re: How often do you get your guitar set-up?

Depends on my mood and if I can hear it's out of tune. I built my guitar in last December it's been a lil over a year and I just finally set it up to a point i'm very comfortable with. Funny thing is depending on who sets up or plays your guitar will say two different thing like today for ex. One of the guitar teachers at my college played my guitar and said it felt awesome mind you I set it up then when my other guitar teacher looked at it he said the neck needed to be adjusted. I set up my guitar on a case by case bases every string change.

 

[Grenade]

Re: How often do you get your guitar set-up?

I do a setup when I get one, then I just clean, restring, and play. If I develop an issue I'll work on it.

 

[hareek]

Re: How often do you get your guitar set-up?

Well see part of the reason I insist on seasonal setups (at minimum) is because the change of seasons up here is drastic. At the depth of winter, it goes from -20 C (-4F) to mid to high thirties sometimes low forties (95 - 105+ F), with bizarrely fluctuating humidity. In summer it's humid as hell. In winter, sometimes it's humid, sometimes it's dry as dust. Spring and Fall are usually wet and grotesque with wildly fluctuating temperatures from around 0 to 20+ C (30 - 70+ F)

If I set up a guitar in the middle of summer, then by the time Fall comes around, that setup needs to be tweaked. And once winter hits, it needs to be setup again. And as a result of the radical weather changes outside, the climate indoors also tends to change quite a bit. I keep all my guitars out of case, because they all get played pretty regularly.

If I lived in a part of the world with steady, consistent weather year-round, then I'd probably be fine leaving them alone for longer periods of time.

I didn't think to ask this before, but with those kind of extreme weather changes, how much is your guitar affected?

 

[CTN]

Re: How often do you get your guitar set-up?

pretty significantly. Mostly in terms of neck curvature. And if I adjust the truss rod, that'll require adjusting the intonation especially, and sometimes the action. If I adjust the action then I check the bridge radius too.

 

[hareek]

Re: How often do you get your guitar set-up?

pretty significantly. Mostly in terms of neck curvature. And if I adjust the truss rod, that'll require adjusting the intonation especially, and sometimes the action. If I adjust the action then I check the bridge radius too.

Wow that's interesting man I guess I've never really experienced climate affect on my guitar like that before. Then I agree if I were in your shoes I would adjust the guitar very often as well.

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: How often do you get your guitar set-up?

I bought a metal ruler and set up mine at least once every six months. While I'm at it I do a quick run through of all the knobs, and make sure they're working correctly. My machine heads get tightened down at the tuner head and at the headstock. My bridge gets reintonated. Wiring is double checked, and the nut may or may not get replaced depending on wear.

 

[Laughing Kookaburra]

Re: How often do you get your guitar set-up?

I just keep an eye/ear on things. If something goes off, I adjust accordingly.

 

[JohnJohn]

Re: How often do you get your guitar set-up?

I take a look at my gear every so often and do small adjustments as I need them, mostly I go by feel. When something feels off I check it and adjust.
But every couple of months I'll tear it all apart to give it a full cleaning and set up.

 

[Aceman]

Re: How often do you get your guitar set-up?

It really varies. Definitely if I swap a pup or something. But maybe every year or two on average, or if I feel the need.

MAple neck Gibsons are pretty resilient, and the weather here is not very extreme in terms of cold.

 

[jcthejester13]

Re: How often do you get your guitar set-up?

What is this "set up" thing you speak of?

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