High Strung: What's a Set-up?
A set-up can be likened to a tune-up for your car. All stringed
instruments need a set-up at least once a year to make them play and
sound their best.
A guitar set-up consists of four specific checks: Neck, nut, action &
intonation.
The Neck
We check the neck to make sure it’s sitting correctly in the joint, and also for
warps, high frets and appropriate “relief” (the tiny amount of curve that
allows clearance of the strings above the frets during play). Relief will be
adjusted during the set-up. Anything else will be noted and brought to your
attention.
The Nut
We check the nut for wear and tear. The strings should sit in the nut so that
they nestle in the slots but don’t sink into them. Over time, strings can wear
too deeply and that’s when you hear the distinctive sitar sound of a string
trapped in the nut. We also check to make sure there’s no crumbling at the
corners, especially on the bass E side. If we see problems, again we will
make a note and bring it to your attention.
The Action
How high off the fret do those strings lie? We measure your string height at
the start of the set-up to find out. There are specific heights we aim for at
High Strung. (2/32nd” on the treble E, and 3/32nd” on the bass E at the 12th
fret). Adjusting action will be done in a variety of ways, depending on other
elements. Sometimes the trussrod will be adjusted, other times we might
work with the saddle or nut to raise or lower the action. On electrics, we
usually set the saddles themselves.
The Intonation
In other words, does your guitar play in tune at each fret as you move up the
neck? This is examined after new strings have been put on and the action
and relief double-checked. On electrics, the intonation is adjusted at the
saddles. On acoustics, which are much harder to intonate exactly because
of their set saddles, we check and might recommend a different
string gauge to help correct a problem. If the tuning is hopeless, we will
recommend a new, compensated saddle be made specific to your guitar.
At High Strung we care about every instrument that crosses our bench, so
we also take the time to examine the internal bracing, clean and polish your
guitar, check your frets for excessive wear, clean and buff the frets and oil
the fingerboard to help prevent fret sprout.
What a Set-Up Is Not:
It is not an automatic repair of everything that might be wrong. A new nut will
cost about $40, and take awhile because it must be made for your particular
guitar. High frets will probably need at least a partial fret dress (level, bevel
and polish).
We will do everything we can to trouble-shoot your instrument and give you
an estimate on any needed repairs, but those repairs will be additional.
Again, think of that car tune-up. They’ll fill your tires and top off the fluids, but
don’t expect them to replace the transmission as part of the job.
- Lee Raymond, Luthier
instruments need a set-up at least once a year to make them play and
sound their best.
A guitar set-up consists of four specific checks: Neck, nut, action &
intonation.
The Neck
We check the neck to make sure it’s sitting correctly in the joint, and also for
warps, high frets and appropriate “relief” (the tiny amount of curve that
allows clearance of the strings above the frets during play). Relief will be
adjusted during the set-up. Anything else will be noted and brought to your
attention.
The Nut
We check the nut for wear and tear. The strings should sit in the nut so that
they nestle in the slots but don’t sink into them. Over time, strings can wear
too deeply and that’s when you hear the distinctive sitar sound of a string
trapped in the nut. We also check to make sure there’s no crumbling at the
corners, especially on the bass E side. If we see problems, again we will
make a note and bring it to your attention.
The Action
How high off the fret do those strings lie? We measure your string height at
the start of the set-up to find out. There are specific heights we aim for at
High Strung. (2/32nd” on the treble E, and 3/32nd” on the bass E at the 12th
fret). Adjusting action will be done in a variety of ways, depending on other
elements. Sometimes the trussrod will be adjusted, other times we might
work with the saddle or nut to raise or lower the action. On electrics, we
usually set the saddles themselves.
The Intonation
In other words, does your guitar play in tune at each fret as you move up the
neck? This is examined after new strings have been put on and the action
and relief double-checked. On electrics, the intonation is adjusted at the
saddles. On acoustics, which are much harder to intonate exactly because
of their set saddles, we check and might recommend a different
string gauge to help correct a problem. If the tuning is hopeless, we will
recommend a new, compensated saddle be made specific to your guitar.
At High Strung we care about every instrument that crosses our bench, so
we also take the time to examine the internal bracing, clean and polish your
guitar, check your frets for excessive wear, clean and buff the frets and oil
the fingerboard to help prevent fret sprout.
What a Set-Up Is Not:
It is not an automatic repair of everything that might be wrong. A new nut will
cost about $40, and take awhile because it must be made for your particular
guitar. High frets will probably need at least a partial fret dress (level, bevel
and polish).
We will do everything we can to trouble-shoot your instrument and give you
an estimate on any needed repairs, but those repairs will be additional.
Again, think of that car tune-up. They’ll fill your tires and top off the fluids, but
don’t expect them to replace the transmission as part of the job.
- Lee Raymond, Luthier
| (919) 286-3801 |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |