What many beginners do not know, is that there is a set up process involved when purchasing a new guitar. This set up is very important to the playability of the guitar. When I was first getting into playing guitar, I never really knew how to properly set up my guitar. At first, I would take it into a guitar tech at my local music store. After that, I thought I could do it myself and realized some of the mistakes I were making. Although you can do this yourself, taking it to a guitar tech is always a good option for newcomers to guitar playing.
Factors concerning a correct setup involve the action of the strings, intonation, and overall playability. The action of the strings means how far the strings are raised off of the fretboard. This can be adjusted at the bridge of the guitar and really depends on your preference. Intonation is the length of each string from the nut to the bridge. Basically you have to adjust this to make sure each fret resonates the correct note. The easiest way to check this is by making sure the 12th fret is an octave higher than the open note. That means that the “e” string should be “e” on the 12th fret as well. Playability is affected by the truss rod in the neck, and the action. The truss rod is a metal rod imbedded in the neck of the guitar. There is usually a screw at the head of the guitar that adjusts the bend of the rod. This, in result will effect the bend of the neck and make a big difference in playability and fret buzz.
Samuel Frazier has a step by step guide for this setup. A thing he notes beforehand, is the difference in guitar bridges that can change the setup up process. This guide is for an electric guitar with a fixed bridge. For those of you that have a tremolo on your guitar, (otherwise known as a “whammy bar”) I highly recommend having a guitar tech take care of the setup. Samuel’s first step is to remove old strings. He says that having old strings may cause an inaccurate setup due to deterioration. Second, clean the nut and make sure the neck is nice and clean. Third, restring the guitar. Changing brands or string gauge can throw off a setup. Fourth, you have to adjust the neck. This involves the truss rod, and requires a lot of caution. Then all you have to do is tune the guitar to your liking, and prepare the action of the strings however you prefer. Usually, a high action is more difficult to play but is great for bends and bluesy playing. Low action is better for playing fast, and makes it easier to push down each string.
As I said previously, taking your guitar to a tech is a great option. All you need to tell them is how you like your action and the tuning you want to use, and they’ll take care of the rest for you. A great setup can make playing more fun, and easier. Make sure if you’re getting a new guitar, you have it prepared properly!