HOME

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR BEGINNER GUITARS

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR BEGINNER AMPS

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BUYING A GUITAR

COOL GEAR

ABOUT

CONTACT

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BUYING A NEW GUITAR

When you buy a guitar - chances are it will need to be setup. What is a setup? That's when the string height (distance the strings are from the fretboard), the curvature of the neck, and intonation (making sure the guitar is in tune everywhere on the fretboard) is corrected.

Most companies setup new guitars that cost over $300 in their factory. The problem is that when a guitar sits in a warehouse or is shipped in a plane/train/truck it is exposed to humidity and temperature changes that can change the curvature of the neck and make the guitar difficult to play. A setup will correct this, making the guitar easier to play and making sure it can be properly tuned.

Setups on a fixed tail-piece or string through guitar should cost about $40. On a tremolo bridge guitar expect $40 to $100. Most guitar repair persons can do a setup - call your local guitar shop to see if they have a repair person on-staff. A setup should include adjusting the string height (the action) and intonating the guitar.

Intonating is when you adjust the string length so that the guitar will be in tune everywhere on the fretboard. If you do not intonate a guitar, it may be in tune when you play near the nut, but as you move up the fretboard the guitar will be out of tune.

More specifically, intonating is adjusting the string length to the mass of the string. When you change strings and either use heavier or lighter strings, you need to re-intonate.