I need to get my guitar(s) 'set-up' (I think that's the right term?).

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Permalink Reply by Graham Hunt on June 18, 2010 at 3:12pm

depends what you need doing.... loads of places in Denmark Street.... but they cost!


If it simply is action, intonation, neck relief etc. on an electric - if you can get them to Kent and aren't urgent I'd do them for you as I do most of my own stuff... I don't do freting and nuts etc. I'd charge about £20 - £30 a guitar depends on level of work i.e. would it need a neck relief or not and would need you to supply strings or I'd order through Strings Direct and pass on the cost of them in addition.

If anyone is near Ramsgate - Music Workshop is good and very cheap. I've regularly used him over the years.

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Permalink Reply by Toby Burton on June 18, 2010 at 5:59pm

Thanks Graham, I think it's mainly 'intonation' - that's tuning and stuff, right?

'Neck relief' sounds nice, though - is that extra!

Seriously, though, I think I better venture to Denmark St, as it's local for me. Thanks for the offer and info though.

T.

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Permalink Reply by Matt Russell on June 18, 2010 at 10:22pm

Philippe Dubreuille on Denmark St, a thoroughly nice bloke and a true eccentric and it shouldnt cost too much, give him a ring

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbpchDBAoWw

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Permalink Reply by Graham Hunt on June 20, 2010 at 10:35am

To be honest a straight forward set up i.e. just restringing and getting the intonation/action correct shouldn't cost much. If the nut needs adjusting (some need slightly lowering) that'll be a little extra - if it needs raising, i.e. it is too low that is a potential nasty as that is a new nut and therefore as much as everything else possibly. Although I've had my guy in Ramsgate fit them for about £20 but he is really good value.

Neck relief is easy to check if you have a feeler gauge and a capo. Capo on the first fret then hold the 6th string down at the top fret - check with a feeler gauge at the 8th fret. Relief depends on the radius of the fingerboard (still following?) so for a vintage like Fender with a 7.25" radius like my old Squier you need a slightly more "bowed" relief - i.e. the gauge should be 0.012" if you are flatter like a PRS or a Gibson or newer Fender (i.e. 9.5" - 12" radius) go for 0.010". That'll tell you where it needs adjusting before you take it. Neck relief changes are easy but (BIG WARNING HERE) if you force the truss you can break the nut and then it's game over - i.e. the guitar is ruined.... er I did that to a mates old Woolworth type special years ago in my ignorance :-)

A neck relief tweak can make a big difference - I had a Les Paul special that I did it to once and honestly it was instantly improved. The arrival of a PRS forced me to sell that one on sadly :-(

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