How often should you get your guitar set-up?

Answer 1

It depends on the guitar and how often it is out of it's case, the humidity of the area / room you keep it in.

Since guitars are made of wood, tension on the neck from the strings can cause it to bow over time. If it is left out on a stand vs. in a case, it is more susceptible to changes.

Guitars (especially Acoustics) need a certain amount of humidty in order to keep the wood from drying out etc.


So.....your strings should be replaced after they start to get a little oxidation (discolor) and sound flat. A nice set of new strings makes a guitar sound much brighter.

You should look at the action (height of the strings off the fret board) every time you change the strings. This can be too high (harder to play) or too low (start to "buzz" while playing).Depending on the condition of the neck, it may need to be "set up".

So if you play it a lot, you can replace your strings every couple of months. If your action is messed up, you need to adjust the bridge, truss rod in the neck etc. every time you change strings.

Answer 2

Depending on where you live and the type of guitar, probably twice a year when the seasons (and humidity levels) change.

Answer 3

When it changes from how you like to play it, eg if the neck starts to bow, or the frets get too low, or the electrics don't sound right, or hum. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Change your strings regularly, though.

Answer 4

Well,the only time I had it done they did a horrible job.Learned to do it myself.Never had to reset it in 30 years.