What is a Set-Up and Do I Need One?

You may have heard the term “set-up” kicked around in relation to guitars. What is a set-up and do you need to have one done?

A set-up refers to adjustments made to a guitar to make it more playable and to optimize the guitar’s tuning. Basically, a set-up is to a guitar as a tune-up is to a car.

Get a piece of the action...

During a set-up, the technician will adjust the guitar’s “action,” or height of the strings from the fretboard. Action that is too high makes it difficult to depress the strings easily. Most new guitars come from the factory with the action set on the high side, to allow adjustment downward according to individual tastes, as lowering the action is easier and less costly than raising it.

Intonation…

Also, the guitar’s “intonation” is checked and adjusted. Intonation refers to each string being in tune all the way up the scale, no matter where the string is fretted. When you tune your guitar to play, you tune the open (unfretted) string. However, this does not guarantee that the string will play in perfect pitch all the way up the fretboard. (See guitar diagram.) Getting the optimal intonation is a matter of some fine and picky adjustments that can involve the truss rod, the nut, the saddle, etc. You may eventually learn to do your own set-ups, but for a beginner these adjustments are probably better left to someone more experienced.

When to set up a set-up?

When should a set-up be done? If you purchase an instrument (new or used) from a shop, you can usually negotiate the cost of a professional set-up into the price. If you purchase a used instrument from a private party, you may want to take it to a shop for a set-up. If you change to a different string gauge, your instrument may need a new set-up. Or if the guitar’s environment (humidity levels, in particular) changes radically, say in a move from a desert climate to tropical, it may need a new set-up.

How much?

A set-up may cost anywhere from $25 to $75, depending on where you have it done (shop vs. private party), the local market and economy, and whether a new set of strings are included in the price. Whether the cost of strings is included in the set-up fee or if you have to purchase the strings separately, installing fresh strings should be done during a set-up. The cost of a set-up may be a flat fee, or based on the amount of time the technician spends on your particular instrument.

The payoff…

A good set-up can significantly alter the sound and playability of your guitar, greatly increasing your motivation to practice and your enjoyment in playing. For this reason alone, a set-up can be an investment worth making.

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Guitar Beginnings: Picking your first guitar...

So you've decided to learn to play guitar! Maybe you already play another instrument and want something more portable to take your music to the patio or the park. Or maybe you've never played an instrument at all. Either way, the guitar is a seemingly simple (after all, it's only six strings, right?) yet utterly challenging instrument of great versatility.

With this blog I hope to share a few things I have learned so far, maybe helping shorten the learning curve for you, the older youth or adult beginner guitarist. I am not a guitar expert; rather, I am a struggling guitar student myself, perhaps considered an intermediate beginner if I flatter myself.

However, since I have been where you are -- at the very beginning -- not so long ago, I have a perspective on a beginner's problems and questions that some more advanced guitarists may have lost touch with over time.

So, now that you've got the bug, you can hardly wait to start strumming, but you need a guitar to do that so let's get shopping!

Acoustic, electric or acoustic-electric?

One of the first decisions will be whether to go acoustic or electric, or even acoustic-electric. The type of music you want to play (classical, folk, blues, funk), and the settings in which you want to play (campfire, coffeehouse, rock-n-roll stage), may give you a good idea which way to go.

More to consider:

An acoustic guitar generally requires no amplification, but can be miked externally for projection or recording purposes. An acoustic-electric is an acoustic guitar with built-in electronics, allowing it to be connected to an amplification system (sans microphone), similar to an electric guitar.

An electric guitar is designed to be played through amplification. A small practice amp will suffice (some models can operate on batteries, if portability is important), or you can plug into your computer, playing through its speakers or into headphones. (We'll talk about hooking up to the computer and even recording onto it another day.)

Acoustic options...

Acoustic guitars generally fall into two basic categories: nylon string (classical) or steel string (folk). Neck width and string spacing differs, with the classical guitar having a slightly wider neck and more space between the strings. The folk guitar tends to have a brighter, more jangly sound than the classical.

Nylon strings may feel gentler on the fingertips of the beginner's fretting hand, but if you get a steel string guitar, you will soon build up protective calluses. My first guitar was a classical, but I soon switched over to a folk guitar because I found I liked the sound better and had developed some calluses -- I no longer feared the pain of fretting steel strings. From there, I expanded into the electric side, and I play electrics almost exclusively now.

Electric options...

Electric guitars can be broadly grouped into two categories, as well: those with single coil pickups, and those with two single coil pickups side by side, or humbuckers, as they are called. Some guitars mix pickup types--for example, an HSS Stratocaster has one humbucker (H) and two single coils (SS).

Each type (single coil vs. humbucker) has its own characteristic sound. The single coil is sometimes said to have a more cutting, twangy tone, and the humbucker might be described as having a warmer, thicker tone. Guitar tones vary widely based on many factors, and can be changed radically by applying various effects. (We'll look at ways to add a veritable feast of tones to your arsenal down the road a piece.)

Try this on for size...

If there is a particular artist whose sound you gravitate toward, do a little research and find out what equipment they use. You may not settle on that model, but there's no harm in checking out a Gibson SG if you're an Angus-wannabe. You may as well get used to the idea that if you stick with guitar, you will eventually own multiple guitars. My house is now populated with four electrics, three acoustics, and two basses. (Hey, nobody said you had to be good at guitar to have some fun with it.) Right now you are just picking out your "first" guitar. Psssst-- your spouse or S.O. needn't be privy to this fact just yet. :-)

Audition many guitars. Go to several shops...pick a guitar, any guitar...see how it feels in your hands...put a strap on and see if its weight balances naturally, hands-free, while you are sitting and while you are standing... strum and pick around a while... see if it feels comfortable or if there are issues such as continually bumping a pickup or selector switch. Rinse and repeat.

Phone a friend...

Take a more experienced guitarist shopping with you. He/she can play some tunes and help identify advantages and disadvantages of various models. Perhaps you know a guitar teacher who would help make a wise selection. Have a salesperson demonstrate instruments for you--many of them play and they surely love to play while on the clock. Strike up conversations with other guitar shop customers. Typically, they are browsing at leisure, love to talk guitars and some even like to show off their chops.

Research guitar models online--you'll find reviews by real folks in addition to the glowing descriptions written by the manufacturers. Though one negative review shouldn't dampen your enthusiasm for the newfound love-of-your-guitar-life, if four out of five reviewers say that the knobs on Model XYZ tend to fall off, you can at the very least check out the knobs on the one you plan to take home.

Money matters...

Pull up a chair and spend some time in the guitar shops before you plunk down your Benjamins. If you're looking at electrics, plug into an amp. If you are reluctant for other customers to hear your strumming, ask for a set of headphones. You are considering an important investment--give it your full attention.

How much should you spend on your first guitar? Obviously, your personal finances are going to dictate that, but you needn't spend a fortune on your first guitar. Once you get a few licks under your belt, you may find you want something entirely different. In my case, I went from classical to folk to electric in not much more than a year.

On the other hand, don't buy a poor quality instrument that is difficult to play, doesn't stay in tune, has little resale value, or that you find particularly unsightly. As a gross generalization, you should be able to find something suitable for $100 to $500. There are decent starter packs that include guitar, amp (with electrics), strap, cord, case and tuner. Negotiate for a professional set-up to be included with the purchase. (Look for more details about set-ups next time.)

Pre-driven models...

You may be able to afford better quality by going with a used instrument. Some shops have trade-ins, and http://www.craigslist.org/ has instruments for sale by private parties (organized by geographic region), or you may find your perfect partner in the local classifieds. In my opinion, for your first guitar especially, it's a good idea to try out the instrument in person before buying. Since used instruments don't often carry a warranty, check them out carefully for playability, damage or defects.

The send-off...

Think about your guitar goals, seek input from those in-the-know, and try out a baker's dozen before you choose your guitar. Above all, leave behind any inhibitions or anxieties and enjoy the first leg on this journey. After all, you're taking up the guitar for fun, and every guitarist was a beginner once. Finding a good fit with your first guitar can make all the difference in your motivation to practice, and therefore, your ultimate success.