As a guitarist, having your guitar set up the right way that works best for you is very important. Whether it’s a new instrument or a guitar you’ve had for years, the right set up can make a world of difference in how your guitar sounds and how it feels to play. A lot of the time, newer guitarists don’t take the time to go get their guitar set up by a professional and this may affect their experience in the learning process. Here are a few tips on how to get your guitar set up the right way.
FIND A PROFESSIONAL:
The first step in making sure your guitar gets set up the right way is to find a professional luthier in your area. While taking your guitar to a place like Guitar Center or Sam Ash can be just fine, finding a smaller, independent luthier may be your best bet. This way, the proper amount of work and time will be put into making sure your guitar is the best that it can be. It may not be the cheapest process, but you will definitely notice the difference.
MAKE SURE YOUR STRINGS ARE THE RIGHT ACTION:
For newer guitarists, the action of your strings is the distance between the fretboard and the strings. The action of your guitar is arguably one of the most important things in the set up process. That being said, every guitarist usually has a preference of the action of their guitar. A higher action (a greater distance between the strings and fretboard) usually allows for a higher sustain with notes, while a lower action (a smaller distance between the strings and fretboard) allows for more precision with hitting notes. Your luthier can help you find what is best for you.
FIND THE RIGHT STRINGS:
Another factor in how to get your guitar set up the right way for you is to find the right strings. This may take a lot of trial and error, but finding the right strings can add so much more to your guitar playing experience. Although there are many different string types out there, taking the time to really find the right strings for you will be well worth it in the end.