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Guitar Setup

  • Thread starter Thread starter MyShineyAr$e
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MyShineyAr$e

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Have just picked up my guitar for the first time since in about 6 months and it sounds awful. Normally I would put that down to my playing but even I can tell its something more.

The E vibrates like nobody's business and the A isn't much better. I have been told that the neck has probably contracted/expanded and needs to have the metal rod that runs through it adjusted.

Are there any guitar techs out there in the Cosford or Stoke area that can help. Can pay by cash, beer or reach arounds.

Cheers

MSA
 
I would suggest the first thing to do would be to throw a new set of strings at it.
When you have taken the old strings off, give the neck and fingerboard a good clean. The best thing for this is lemon oil which you can get from the same place as your strings. I think it's about £7 for a little bottle but lasts for ages.

It will clean all the ingrained crap off the fingerboard, and lubricate it.
 
Truss Rod Adjustment!

Truss Rod Adjustment!

If i was down there i'd do it no problem but here is the basic info for how to adjust the truss rod, I do all the set up work on my guitars and it's an easy thing to do.
It's a really simple thing to do, might even just need the bridge raised slightly (if it's an electric - bit harder on an acoustic). Depending what kind of guitar it is the truss rod will be either accessed at the headstock or body end of the guitar.
If the neck is bowed up towards the strings slacken the rod off 1/4 of a turn at a time until the action comes in, if it's bowed away from the strings tighten it 1/4 a turn at a time and recheck the action - remembering to retune as you adjust the rod.
It can be fiddly and take a bit of time but once you've done it you know for next time if it needs done again. If you need any more info PM me.

:PDT_Xtremez_30:
 
Along with all the good advice already given, one of the guys in my office warns that the humidity where you have been storing the guitar can cause problems. Don't know how you can check or identify this but his warning is that it can have an effect on the wood of the instrument. :PDT_Xtremez_21:
 
spencer the fencer said:
Along with all the good advice already given, one of the guys in my office warns that the humidity where you have been storing the guitar can cause problems. Don't know how you can check or identify this but his warning is that it can have an effect on the wood of the instrument. :PDT_Xtremez_21:
Click to expand...

It can but needs to be either a change to/from really humid to really dry or visa versa. I took 3 guitars with me to cyprus for 3 years and didn't have to adjust anything, good storage helps.
If possible store guitars in a case or if not keep them away from radiators or open windows (direct sunlight and a cold breeze can effect them). I have 3 electrics that live on a rack in the corner of the living room, away from direct sunlight and radiators and i only need to make adjustments if i change the string guage. My acoustics live in flight cases unless they are being played.
 
Fu Fu Valve said:
If i was down there i'd do it no problem but here is the basic info for how to adjust the truss rod, I do all the set up work on my guitars and it's an easy thing to do.
It's a really simple thing to do, might even just need the bridge raised slightly (if it's an electric - bit harder on an acoustic). Depending what kind of guitar it is the truss rod will be either accessed at the headstock or body end of the guitar.
If the neck is bowed up towards the strings slacken the rod off 1/4 of a turn at a time until the action comes in, if it's bowed away from the strings tighten it 1/4 a turn at a time and recheck the action - remembering to retune as you adjust the rod.
It can be fiddly and take a bit of time but once you've done it you know for next time if it needs done again. If you need any more info PM me.

:PDT_Xtremez_30:
Click to expand...

grumpyoldb said:
I would suggest the first thing to do would be to throw a new set of strings at it.
When you have taken the old strings off, give the neck and fingerboard a good clean. The best thing for this is lemon oil which you can get from the same place as your strings. I think it's about £7 for a little bottle but lasts for ages.

It will clean all the ingrained crap off the fingerboard, and lubricate it.
Click to expand...

Some cracking advice there, thank you. I'll have a go later and see how I get on.

No amount of tweaking will compensate for my lack of talent, but at least my random strumming will be in tune.
 
Well had a go and managed to sort out the top E. Shame the G, B and E sound like sh1t. Clearly I am well out of my depth, so am going to see if any of the Live Music club can help me out.

Back to the trusty acoustic for a while then. I hate the sound of nylon!!!
 
If you want a "proper" guitar tech type guy to have a look, then pop it down to Shifnal Music. It's in the little shopping arcade on the High Street. Jamie is a really nice guy to deal with and does great work.
 
Pop Monkey said:
If you want a "proper" guitar tech type guy to have a look, then pop it down to Shifnal Music. It's in the little shopping arcade on the High Street. Jamie is a really nice guy to deal with and does great work.
Click to expand...

What do you mean..........proper............???
Cheeky monkey. :PDT_Xtremez_31:
 
Yeah, sad but true. Unfortunately, the ones in London charge an absolute fortune too! I also went to a music shop in Plymouth a while back and asked how much for a setup, and the guy actually asked me what did I expect him to set up!!

Jamie, at Shifnal, did a setup and recut the nut on my Washburn 12-string a few years ago. A really nice guy to deal with, in a "proper" old-style guitar shop!

I'm going to take the Washburn back in for him to fix the top that has come unglued, the next time I'm at Cosford.
 
Pop Monkey said:
Yeah, sad but true. Unfortunately, the ones in London charge an absolute fortune too! I also went to a music shop in Plymouth a while back and asked how much for a setup, and the guy actually asked me what did I expect him to set up!!

Jamie, at Shifnal, did a setup and recut the nut on my Washburn 12-string a few years ago. A really nice guy to deal with, in a "proper" old-style guitar shop!

I'm going to take the Washburn back in for him to fix the top that has come unglued, the next time I'm at Cosford.
Click to expand...

The topnut should only be secured by a touch of superglue. You could save some money. It only needs one small touch. The strings should hold it in place.
 
grumpyoldb said:
The topnut should only be secured by a touch of superglue. You could save some money. It only needs one small touch. The strings should hold it in place.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, it's the whole soundboard that's come away from the bracing. The top is bowing up behind the bridge, and tilting towards the neck.
 
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