Guitarists!! What does it mean if I need my guitar setting up?

Question

I've been playing for about 5 years so yes, I should know this, but I've never needed one unil now. I've been told it needs a set up.

Can I do this myself? Do I take it to a shop? If so, how much will this cost (£)? cheers mateys =)

to first answer. - no man, thats tuning. =)

I mean like a set up. I think it's something to do with the bridge but im not sure.

Damn me and my inability to pay attention . lol

Answer 1

It could mean all sorts of things - I'd ask the person who told it needed setting up to describe exactly what they mean.

I've heard the expression used for lots of different things. Your man above is right - set-up often means the equipment that goes with the guitar (you know, amp, speakers, FX, etc) but if you've been playing for 5 years you'll have these - right ?

Setting up can also mean tuning - and don't forget there are different ways to tune a guitar.

Setting up can also mean, personalising the guitar to fit you better or to give you a different sound. Changing the neck, changing pick-ups, etc.

Answer 2

If you've been playing for 5 years and have no problems, I'd say you don't have to worry much.

Setting up a guitar is about shaving the bridge and nut on an acoustic or making a custom bridge. For an electric it's adjusting the neck, shaving the nut, filing the frets, adjusting the bridges.

It can bring unwelcom things, like buzzes and youll have to get used to the new set up.

If youre current situation don't bother you, don't worry.

Remember the old maxim: If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Answer 3

It's not a big deal to "set up" a guitar. the neck gets relieved (straightened), the bridge is adjusted (strobe tuned), and pickup height is adjusted. Plenty of other things can be recommended and altered, as well. In theory, it brings your guitar back to "factory specification". Really depends on what your guitar needs. Ask around at local music shops till you find someone you are comfortable with. Price??? Not sure about exchange rates these days... Figure less than $50 US, £25 UK.

Answer 4

Take it to a reputable music store that can do this kind of work.

It involves a number of things:

- the "action" of the neck; the closeness of the strings to the fretboard, and getting the action as close as reasonably possible without having them buzz at any point on the neck.

- they will determine if you neck is warped one way or the other and adjust it appropriately if it is.

- If your bridge is adjustable, they will set the harmonics on the strings. Harder to explain than I have time for right now.

Cost? Don't know.

Answer 5

Setting up has to do with action (the strings' distance over the fretboard), and intonation (making sure the strings are in tune at fret#1 and at fret #22, 23, or 24).

I don't know at all how many pounds this could cost, but it's free if you know how to do it. Same thing in America, except dollars, not pounds.

Answer 6

First of all, is there something that you've found about your ax that isn't right? ie: the strings are too far away or too close to the neck. If the problem is a simple adjustment you can easily learn to fix it yourself, but if it's major I suggest taking it to a luthier. then
he/she can tell you how much it's going to set you back.

Answer 7

you need to turn the littlw things at the top to straighten the strings.im not even a guitarist and i know that.