What a Guitar Setup Is and Why It Matters
A setup is a set of small adjustments that decide how a guitar feels and whether it plays in tune. Most new guitars have never had one.
Why new guitars need it
A guitar leaves the factory adjusted to survive a long trip through changing heat and humidity. Wood moves on the way. By the time the box is opened, the strings are often higher than they should be.
What we check
- Out of the box. We look the instrument over for finish flaws and shipping damage.
- Action and neck relief. We set string height and the slight bow of the neck so it plays easily without buzzing.
- Intonation. We check that notes stay in tune as you move up the neck.
- Frets and hardware. We check fret ends, the nut, tuners and strap buttons.
- Strings and tuning. We fit fresh strings and tune to pitch.
What you notice
Chords take less pressure. Notes ring clean. The guitar stays in tune longer. For a beginner this is often the difference between practicing and giving up.
Every instrument, before it ships
We do this on our bench at 121 N Jackson St in Athens, Tennessee, for every guitar, bass, banjo and mandolin we send out. The full list is on our setup page.
Shop acoustic guitars, electric guitars or banjos and mandolins.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in a guitar setup?
String height neck relief intonation and a check of frets nut tuners and hardware.
Does a new guitar need a setup?
Usually yes. A factory guitar is adjusted to survive shipping and the wood moves on the way.
Do you set up guitars before shipping?
Yes. Every guitar bass banjo and mandolin is set up on our bench in Athens Tennessee before it ships.
