Guitar Setups and Adjustments
Better guitars have good construction techniques, good materials AND adjustable components to bring everything into correct alignment. I have NEVER picked-up a guitar, even an expensive, quality instrument, that played up to my standards. Choosing the correct gauge of string for the player is the first step in my process of achieving the greatest playability and performance. Many players use unnecessarily heavy strings thinking that it will improve their sound, yet it makes the instrument harder to finger/ fret and the stress of the added tension pulls harder on the top. This can prematurely warp the top of an acoustic as well, and in general it is unnecessary to use heavy strings for "most" players.
The rest of the adjustable components including the neck rod, the bridge (not always !) and intonation devices can be used to bring all the components into harmony. Floating tremolos on electric guitars (i.e. "Floyd Rose" type) utilize springs to offset the string tension and these require thoughtful adjustment in accordance with the string gauge. Each guitar presents a challenge to me as I survey each unique situation and utilize all available adjustments to get the "MoJo" from each guitar I work on. Literally no two guitars are exactly the same and require unique adjustments in order to be the best they can be.
The end result after all action, string height, neck rod and intonation adjustments are done just right is magic to the player. The instrument will allow the player to soar to new heights since it fosters excellence in performing and creativity. Playing is NOT a chore, it is a pleasure when the guitar is set to this level of playability. It sometimes is necessary to do a second "follow-up" tweaking on a guitar which has had BIG adjustments done to it. As it settles in to its new equilibrium, playing the guitar for a week or two can cause this.
In any case, when the player gets used to this well-adjusted, great playing guitar he is "hooked" !! Once setup properly, the guitar just needs to be maintained in order to keep its adjustments for a long time. Feeling is believing....play one of mine and you'll know what I'm saying is true.
Better guitars have good construction techniques, good materials AND adjustable components to bring everything into correct alignment. I have NEVER picked-up a guitar, even an expensive, quality instrument, that played up to my standards. Choosing the correct gauge of string for the player is the first step in my process of achieving the greatest playability and performance. Many players use unnecessarily heavy strings thinking that it will improve their sound, yet it makes the instrument harder to finger/ fret and the stress of the added tension pulls harder on the top. This can prematurely warp the top of an acoustic as well, and in general it is unnecessary to use heavy strings for "most" players.
The rest of the adjustable components including the neck rod, the bridge (not always !) and intonation devices can be used to bring all the components into harmony. Floating tremolos on electric guitars (i.e. "Floyd Rose" type) utilize springs to offset the string tension and these require thoughtful adjustment in accordance with the string gauge. Each guitar presents a challenge to me as I survey each unique situation and utilize all available adjustments to get the "MoJo" from each guitar I work on. Literally no two guitars are exactly the same and require unique adjustments in order to be the best they can be.
The end result after all action, string height, neck rod and intonation adjustments are done just right is magic to the player. The instrument will allow the player to soar to new heights since it fosters excellence in performing and creativity. Playing is NOT a chore, it is a pleasure when the guitar is set to this level of playability. It sometimes is necessary to do a second "follow-up" tweaking on a guitar which has had BIG adjustments done to it. As it settles in to its new equilibrium, playing the guitar for a week or two can cause this.
In any case, when the player gets used to this well-adjusted, great playing guitar he is "hooked" !! Once setup properly, the guitar just needs to be maintained in order to keep its adjustments for a long time. Feeling is believing....play one of mine and you'll know what I'm saying is true.
TESTIMONIALS:
"The absolute best guitar guy in Vegas, he has setup every one of my guitars, and always does a stellar job.. I wouldn't let anybody else touch my setup"...Jacob Ambroz, Las Vegas, NV |
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