Guitar tune up ruined guitar play... help needed! | Forums

[Dizzyg12]

Now I'm not a trem guy so take this with a grain of salt. I figure the agreement here is that "the guy" didn't install/replace correct springs to take enough tension and now the trem system is set so far one way as to make it so the tuners are backed out 100% thus practically useless.

First, this guy didn't properly setup your guitar. If you can, get him to refund your money or to do it right. Frankly, I'd want my money back but that's the last time I'd deal with him. It's in his best interest to do it right.

Secondly, the underlying issue thus far has been that the trem tension springs should be replaced. Have that done first as everything else is dependent upon that.

After that, you can think about continuing to setup the guitar.

Here is my check list for setups on my Les Pauls. A capo is used where ever fretting is needed just to free up my hands.



Once I've finished, I'll test everything but particular to pickup height, generally you don't want one pickup louder than the other. Since my pickups aren't identical, I usually have to lower one just slightly in order to make sure it's not louder than the other. For this, I just plug it in and listen, turn all knobs to 10, plug into my amp, and leave them for the duration of the test. Turn only the bridge pickup on, play a few chords and notes. Then do the same for only the neck pickup. (dont have the equipment to actually check how loud it is)

Nice work, but he has a fender with a tremolo....so some of this isn't relavant.

[GuitarNub]

Nice work, but he has a fender with a tremolo....so some of this isn't relavant.

Yeah, was noted throughout the post.

[RiffAddict]

You got that right, RiffAddict. Dude, you've got guys on here who have NEVER changed a string! Would you trust them with your truss rod? I wouldn't. ;^) Heck, when my PR CU22 needs a TR adjustment, I don't even do it: That's why I have a guitar tech. Let him handle it. I'm glad to pay for it. But I do my own intonation, bridge adjustments, electronics, intonations. But since I'm in the North East and there's such changes in the humidity levels up here, I have my TR checked once a year. While I was in the shop, saw a guy with a beautiful Breedlove who couldn't get $100 for it, because the TR was messed up. That guitar sells for over $1500! Poor dude was devastated.

That makes no sense to me needing a guitar tech to make a simple truss rod adjustment. So, due to a seasonal change you have to pack up your guitar and take it to a shop just so the guitar tech can tweak your truss rod a quarter turn? I'm sorry, that just seems silly and paranoid.

[tomdarch]

One note in all of this: This may have been the first time Dave stepped up a size of strings - that will throw you off for a while. That's not to say that other stuff wasn't messed up during the setup, but the feel of heavier strings takes some getting used to. I'd say before tweaking too much, you should consider cutting off those heavier strings and restring with whatever you're used to - that will take a variable out of the equation so you can better tell what was changed during the setup.

[C.Linton]

Take it to another shop. From OP's description, this guy doesn't know what he is doing. Oh, and yes, learn to do this yourself eventually. it's really easy, just finicky and careful work, there's plenty of info on the web, the tools ar easy to come by and you'll save money in the long run, and you'll be able to get the setup exactly like you like it.

[RiffAddict]

Do you also take your car to a mechanic when it needs air in the tires?

[Steel_Nirvana]

I take my car to a mechanic to adjust anything that could permanently damage it if I screwed it up.

[rcole_sooner]

Do you also take your car to a mechanic when it needs air in the tires?

The Caddy with nitrogen in the tires, yes.

[RiffAddict]

How about calling an electrician to turn your light switches on and off? Haha, I am just kidding with you tough guy.

[C.Linton]

I take my car to a mechanic to adjust anything that could permanently damage it if I screwed it up.

Not a good analogy anyway.
Setup on a guitar or bass is easy compared to auto mechanics. Just a few basic tools, and the right info (easily available all over the 'net) and you are good to go. About the only thing you can really screw up is over-adjusting the truss rod, and if you remember to take it slow and only do a little bit at a time (maybe an eighth of a turn), and you'll be OK. Just read as many online tutorials and watch as many videos (Youtube has a ton) and you'll see how easy it is.
Personally, I believe being able to set up a guitar or bass is a essential a skill as earning how to tune or change the strings on your guitar or bass, and not much more complicated as long as you have the right tools and knowledge. You wouldn't want to have to take your guitar to the shop every time you wanted to get it tuned or change the strings because you're afraid you'd screw something up would you?