What a difference a setup can make!

[Kmaz]

I took my Gibson R8 into the local dealer on Saturday for some long overdue TLC. I was surprised at how much my guitar felt and sounded after a little professional setup work.

It was like, "Wow, these Historic Gibsons are awesome guitars!"

Seriously, it was worth it to me to put my guitar in the hands of an experienced Tech for the first time in many years. Really glad I did.

 

[Upside_Down_Guitar]

Absolutely worth it in my eyes as well. I take it in about once a year. I fall in love with my guitar all over again.

 

[ZeyerGTR]

My LP goes from my easiest-playing guitar to my worst-playing guitar when the setup goes awry. The neck has been rock solid for years, but the TOM needs a little adjustment every so often.

 

[Fireball XL5]

I took my Gibson R8 into the local dealer on Saturday for some long overdue TLC. I was surprised at how much my guitar felt and sounded after a little professional setup work.

It was like, "Wow, these Historic Gibsons are awesome guitars!"

Seriously, it was worth it to me to put my guitar in the hands of an experienced Tech for the first time in many years. Really glad I did.

It's worth it if the guitar needs some fret and or nut work that's beyond the scope of a basic setup. Otherwise, I HIGHLY recommend learning how to do a basic setup (trussrod adjustment, adjusting string height at the bridge, and setting intonation) on your own.

It's SO simple and easy to learn & do yourself (especially on an electric guitar). No tech will be able to do a better setup than you once you learn the basics.

 

[Tone_Terrific]

If you take note of what it looks like and how it plays when you like it, you should be able to maintain that consistently, barring wear or damage, just with saddle and trussrod adjustments and the odd intonation check.

 

[Kmaz]

It's amazing to me how much improvement can be gained from adjustments to truss rod, string height, intonation and pickups. I had the fretboard conditioned as well.

I thought my neck setup was as straight as I wanted but the Tech took it even further and I am more pleased with his results. Nice, easy playing with its lower action.

 

[Kmaz]

If you take note of what it looks like and how it plays when you like it, you should be able to maintain that consistently, barring wear or damage, just with saddle and trussrod adjustments and the odd intonation check.

Yup, I've already notated the results of the Pro setup.

I do my best with maintaining my guitars but do struggle at times with finding that sweet spot for relief.

 

[rummy]

A set up can make all the difference in the world.

 

[Kmaz]

It's worth it if the guitar needs some fret and or nut work that's beyond the scope of a basic setup. Otherwise, I HIGHLY recommend learning how to do a basic setup (trussrod adjustment, adjusting string height at the bridge, and setting intonation) on your own.

It's SO simple and easy to learn & do yourself (especially on an electric guitar). No tech will be able to do a better setup than you once you learn the basics.

Sure, I understand this and it is something that I do work on and strive to improve.

The dealer that I took my R8 to runs a monthly special on guitar maintenance and is an actual Gibson shop as well. Their charge for the service was $25 so I deemed my '58 worthy.

 

[73Fender]

I do all the basic stuff but a good tech / luthier is another level.

Wish I had a good local guy, just tried the only one after swearing off him some years ago..mistake. Worth traveling and or waiting for someone with a long turnaround if they are good.

 

[kracdown]

I believe a really good setup saves a lot of those "dogs" people get right out of the box.

 

[Kmaz]

I believe a really good setup saves a lot of those "dogs" people get right out of the box.

Probably true in many cases.

 

[brwn bggr]

Sure, I understand this and it is something that I do work on and strive to improve.

The dealer that I took my R8 to runs a monthly special on guitar maintenance and is an actual Gibson shop as well. Their charge for the service was $25 so I deemed my '58 worthy.

Not to sound redundant,or to stir the lot up...
But you only get so much time/labor for $25,or any amount in this case...a good set up should include you,as part of the end result...and no matter the skill level,no tech will care more about your guitar than you...as mentioned,it's worth investing in the knowledge to do it yourself...you won't be sorry...

 

[Kmaz]

Not to sound redundant,or to stir the lot up...
But you only get so much time/labor for $25,or any amount in this case...a good set up should include you,as part of the end result...and no matter the skill level,no tech will care more about your guitar than you...as mentioned,it's worth investing in the knowledge to do it yourself...you won't be sorry...

You are correct. They did ask me to spend some time playing the guitar in the store after the work was done. They wanted to make sure that I was satisfied and find out if any changes needed to be made before I left. I was very happy with their work and pleased as a customer.

The $25 included strings of my choice as well. Just thought I'd mention.

 

[Gearaddict]

25 is a steal! I just took my Martin acoustic in to Elderly. Played like absolute crap, dead spots, buzzing, etc. I tweak my electrics but don't mess with my acoustic. Took them about three minutes to tweak the truss rod, which solved all of the ills. Plays like an absolute dream now.

Ya, for 25, I'd take in my electric to that guy. Great deal!

 

[mad dog]

After some excellent setups through the years, I've learned this lesson. Most recently on a Guild SF III, which I'd set up myself (Adjusted action, neck relief.) And still it was playing as I suspected it could.

When I found myself pondering selling it, I stopped messing around and took it to a talented luthier friend. He took out relief, did a light fret polish, unscrewed a screwed down floating bridge and moved it slightly to the side. He spent the most time on the nut, slowing working the slots til string were at exactly the right height over the fingerboard.

He nailed it. It now plays exactly as good as it looks and sounds. This is an excellent guitar I might have passed along for the most trivial of reasons, so he did me a huge favor.

 

[nasonm]

When I received my Gibson Tennessean, I was so disappointed in it's finish and playability, I was **this** close to sending it back. Instead, I took it to my local tech and had a complete fret dress, set up and buffing.

It now looks and plays like new.

TOTALLY worth it.

 

[Kmaz]

I guess you simply can't discount the fact that some guys have a real knack or talent when it comes to working on guitars.

I'll try to learn what I can from this experience, but I wouldn't be opposed to using them again either. For what I had done, I agree that $25 is a good deal.

 

[paintguy]

A set up can make all the difference in the world.

Absolutely!!!

The dealer that I took my R8 to runs a monthly special on guitar maintenance and is an actual Gibson shop as well. Their charge for the service was $25 so I deemed my '58 worthy.

Great deal!

I do all the basic stuff but a good tech / luthier is another level.

Worth traveling and or waiting for someone with a long turnaround if they are good.

I agree.

My guy (Erik Goehrisch of Lush Guitars) makes my guitars play so nice. Way beyond any set up I have done for myself.

 

[RockinRob]

Since we are on this subject, anyone know who da man is for this work in Minneapolis-St Cloud area?