Forums » Console » How often should I get my guitar setup.

bobsmith
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For starters, new guitars rarely get a proper setup right out of the box. This is because they are produced overseas and shipped to other countries. This means that they will have high action and fret buzz. Getting your guitar setup regularly will make sure your guitar is working at its best. Here are some tips on how to keep your guitar set up properly:

When you visit a guitar shop, they'll perform a basic guitar setup, which involves visual inspection, intonation adjustment, and string height/radius adjustment. They'll also check for neck warping, and install fresh strings. However, more advanced setups may include things like adjusting the height of the pickups, adjusting the bridge angle on floating tremolos, or checking loose parts.

If you play regularly, it's also worth getting your guitar setup. Taking it to a professional will ensure that your guitar is in perfect working order. A guitar setup will fix any annoying issues that you've noticed, such as tuning in higher frets. Ideally, your guitar's notes will match perfectly at the 12th fret. But there are times when a guitar setup isn't necessary.

Depending on how often you play, you may not need a full setup every year. Once a year, you should check for any unusual sounds or playability issues. Besides that, a guitar setup should also check for any minor adjustments to the truss rod, as well as setting the action and intonation. If you don't use your guitar regularly, it's worth it to go to a guitar shop at least once a year to ensure it stays in top shape.