#1
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How long to wait for a setup on a new guitar
Hi Folks -
QQ to get some data points. I live in Virginia and it is standard east coast humid. We have air-conditioning in summer and in the winter, our heater adds humidity to the air when it is running. I keep an eye on humidity and generally it is in a guitar friendly-ish place. This all said, when I get new guitar generally what happens is they arrive is a good action place and then raise up a bit. Sometime is a just a truss adjustment and sometimes includes saddle adjustment. It isn't generally bad, just off what I prefer. Typically once adjusted the new guitars trend to stay put well enough. So, if that all makes sense, here are the questions: 1. What is the minimum time I need to wait to get a new guitar set up such that I can be reasonably sure it it has settled? Trying to avoid making two trips to the local repair folks. 2. Is this common and, if so, what is the cause? Is it the climate? Or do new guitars just do this? thanks! jm
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Multiple guitars including a 1979 Fender that needs a neck re-set Last edited by jmat; 01-23-2023 at 01:55 PM. |
#2
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Why not start with your '79 Fender?
There is no minimum time .. set up when necessary, whenever necessary. Every guitar is different. In my experience, it's not common for you to set up every new guitar. However, you may have special preferences that require more attention. Generally speaking, set ups are not expensive but provide plenty of playing satisfaction.
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Rob |
#3
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Ha! I'll make that one a slide guitar when I take up the blues.
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Multiple guitars including a 1979 Fender that needs a neck re-set |
#4
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Quote:
either I don't understand your reply or, -- every new guitar has to have something done to it. some less, some more,
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#5
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hey jm, set up as soon as you wish, immediately imo.
if you are not doing the set up yourself and bringing it to your your trusted looth, etc, it can be beneficial to bring one of the guitars that you already have to demonstrate to the looth exactly how you wish it set up for your playing preference and enjoyment.
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#6
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Almost…
Quote:
I still have them ALL inspected. Cheers Paul
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#7
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If I know that a guitar is going to a place with a humidity at odds with the building environment, I will often supply it with a second saddle in the direction expected. To answer your actual question, I think a bit less that a month in a stable environment will equalize a guitar adequately to rationalize a set up.
A couple of weeks ago I saw a guitar I made for you several years ago, and there was substantial evidence that the guitar was under humidified. Not extremely, but more than I’d like. That would suggest that you’d need a higher saddle rather than lower, as time passes. |
#8
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Thanks Folks. A month, ok!
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Multiple guitars including a 1979 Fender that needs a neck re-set |
#9
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For a new guitar to not need at least nut slot attention is unusual anymore.
It seems that, with the advent of the Plek machine. There is less attention to the nut than there used to be. I realize that action adjustment of saddle height, is a preference thing. Nut slot height, is pretty basic. IMO Either you fret in key, or sharp. Sure too low is not a good thing. But neither is too high. |
#10
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Yup. I would say about 95% of the 'new' guitars I get in still need to have the nut set up even if it has been pleked and that has nothing to do with the humidity. The pleked guitars have great frets though, not anything a good tech or luthier can't accomplish, so you can get the action super low on them given the relief can be set well which is nice for those who require it.
I'm in Virginia too and that last cold snap we just had brought a lot of guitars into my shop, fret sprout, neck adjustments, caving in tops and so on. The first thing I do is humidify them which takes about a week. Then I kindly educate the guitar owners But if you do in fact have a well controlled guitar room then I'd say a month too. |
#11
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Quote:
Be well folks! jm
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Multiple guitars including a 1979 Fender that needs a neck re-set |