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View Poll Results: Setups
Take it in right away as in for one 5 6.58%
Take it in right away for one with upgrades (saddle and/or nut, pins) 1 1.32%
Play it for a while then take it in as is for one 15 19.74%
Play it for a while then take it in for one with upgrades 12 15.79%
I do my own 38 50.00%
Setup? Whats that? I just play the thing 5 6.58%
Voters: 76. You may not vote on this poll

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  #1  
Old 08-17-2010, 10:43 AM
shortymack shortymack is offline
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Default setups

What do you usually do when you get a new or used guitar regarding its setup?


Edit: The first option should read "as is for one" not "as in"

Last edited by shortymack; 08-17-2010 at 10:49 AM.
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Old 08-17-2010, 10:50 AM
HudsDad HudsDad is offline
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I check the neck relief and adjust the truss rod if necessary. I check the action height and adjust the saddle height if necessary.

After that, I may replace the nut/saddle/pins, but that's just for tone or aesthetics, not playability.
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Old 08-17-2010, 10:54 AM
susitna susitna is offline
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I always end up playing mine for a while. I pick it up at the store, and it just seems so sweet that I have to have it. In my mind, it's perfect right then and there. Plus, I don't much feel like leaving my new precious there for a couple days at that point. It's a shiny, and my paws are *clenched* on that bad boy.

Once I've had it home for a week or two and gotten used to playing it, then I start to think about what would happen if the action were lower. Since it's a little less shiny by then, I'm more willing to part with it for improvements (or even believe that it can be improved).
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Old 08-17-2010, 11:32 AM
werkout52 werkout52 is offline
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Just finished setting up my 416ce with lowered WAHI saddle, truss rod adjustment, new strings. Will take to Wildwoods for final tuneup. I'm still in learning process.
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Old 08-17-2010, 11:53 AM
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Bob Womack Bob Womack is offline
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I have a rock solid policy of taking each and every one of my guitars in for a professional setup as soon as I buy it.


I have been known to break my policy.

About half of mine have been done and about half of those were done as soon as I purchased the instrument.


Bob
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Old 08-17-2010, 12:11 PM
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I voted "do my own" but I only work with strings, truss rod, saddles and if necessary smoothing or lower nut slots. If it needs a new nut made I take that to a professional. And while I'll hit a problem fret a few swipes with a file (or bang it back down into its slot) I also leave actual fretwork to the pros.

But generally I buy guitars that don't anything more than a new saddle at most.
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Old 08-17-2010, 01:47 PM
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I don't BUY it if it's not already set up properly.

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Old 08-17-2010, 01:52 PM
wb4yal wb4yal is offline
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I agree with Druid. I buy my guitars from Guitar Rodeo and I have yet to need any adjustments on any of my purchases from Jim. If I change the Saddle to a Bob Colossi bone saddle, I do the work myself.
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Old 08-17-2010, 03:23 PM
Doubleneck Doubleneck is offline
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I am pretty handy and can easily adjust my trust rod and sand a bridge to lower the action to my liking. What I found however is a shop close to me in Akron Ohio "Lays Guitar Shop" I have taken just about all my guitars there and he works his magic. They are professionals or should I say artists that really knows what he is doing, he will level the frets adjust the nut saddle and truss rod. Everytime I think I know what I am doing I get a guitar back from him and it is just amazing. He took my high school J-45 that I thought might need a neck reset and he made it my most easy playing guitar period. For the cost these guys are worth their weight in gold and my biggest regret is that I keep guitars at home thinking I have it right, then when I finally took it in to him I find out I am not at his level and what I pay him is more than worth it. What is it worth to make a 1967 J-45 the most playable guitar you have believe me money more than well spent.
Steve
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Old 08-17-2010, 03:38 PM
franchelB franchelB is offline
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Except for my Taylors, most of the guitars I own have needed a set-up. Some needed upgrading, but not all my guitars needed an upgrade right away.
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Old 08-17-2010, 05:42 PM
AZLiberty AZLiberty is offline
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I'll adjust my own truss rod if required. if it needs a change at the nut or saddle I usually just put up with it since the closest tech I trust is about an hours drive away.
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