A little embarrassing to say around here but

[delta tone]

I did my first set up yesterday. This was not near as difficult as I had perceived, but it was a little intimidating getting started. I had gotten 3 brass barrel saddles to replace the threaded steel on my AVRI 62 custom. This was my chance. Anyway. I got it done and feel very satisfied to have accomplished this, even though this is a minor task compared to what many of yall do. Sounds great and seems to stayed in tune better. Had band practice last night and loved it. Thanks for all the info that can be found here.

[JohnK24]

Big Congrats...feels good, don't it ?! I have little fear with setups and tweaks on Fenders. Now with my Gibby LP - I change strings, take it to my luthier for anything else.

[Tele Fan]

Congrats on your first set up! When I finally got the nerve to just do my own set ups I was amazed by how much less work it turned out to be than I had believed. Now the only thing I don't do myself is cut the nut slots if they need it. I'm just a little too ham fisted for all that.

[tuuur]

Congrats! Sounds like you hit it right the first time.
I tried to set up my guitars several times and it's hit or miss every time. Intonating and cutting nut slots is still a mystery for me. I know the theory, but it seems I need practice.

[delta tone]

Thanks. I am not about to fool with the nut, although it may need a slight adjustment. I am slowly trying things that can be undone if I screw them up.

[ChicknPickn]

For a certain personality type, setups become addictive. You do one and start looking around for the next target. For such folks, the good news is that guitars always seem to be needing some sort of adjustment. As long as anything you do can be undone, nobody gets hurt. Look out, though, when you start filing frets . . . . .

[Parma_TeleMon]

Uh-oh....Now you've done it!! Next thing you know you'll be making necks from scratch!! Man, some roads ought never be travelled!

Congrats!! You deserve to feel proud!

[mijstrat72]

I've been doing my own for almost a year now and "chicknpicn" hit the nail on the head. I now do setups on all of my bandmates guitars, basses, anyone's guitar that comes remotely close to me, people walking down the street with a guitar...I'm all over this. I am even thinking I could do this as a side job.

Nuts are as much fun as setups...really! I've also done a boat load of those, and enjoy making my own or someone elses guitar play to perfection. I find myself searching for "targets" all the time. I almost want to carry screwdrivers and allen wrenches into the guitar store with me because their setups are pretty weak.

Incidentally, I just started my first Esquire build and bought a '62 custom bridge and pickup off fleebay for a good deal. I am wondering why you switched out the steel saddles for brass? Were the steel to thin sounding? The bridge I bought has the steel saddles and I'm trying to decide if I want to go with the brass or not.

[boris bubbanov]

Always fun to hear this type of post.

Getting people to get their feet a little wet, to probe around a some of the simpler to execute things is always a kick for me. Sure, it is an addiction, and one you wanna share with everyone!

Welcome to the game.

:^)

[delta tone]

There is more truth written above here than anywhere I've seen. I have been thinking all day about pulling out my MIA standard and tinkering with it. I guess I've done it now.
As far as the brass saddles go, I like the look for all honesty. I did think though that the steel was a bit too jangley for my taste. I don't do any chicken pickin, probably would if I could, but I wanted a slightly more warm rounded sound. I read a thread some where debating how much difference this made, but I think I hear a difference. Another thing is those threads were a little sharp and I have broken several high E strings when restringing this guitar. Just thought this would help accomplish all those things and still hold to a vintage spec.

[blueyonder]

Originally Posted by Tele Fan

Now the only thing I don't do myself is cut the nut slots if they need it. I'm just a little too ham fisted for all that.

I've alway been a little skeered of that task myself. I don't know of many people I would trust to do it for me within about a 100 mile radius of here either (I live in a pretty rural area) and I'm not too keen on the idea of sending my guitar out to have it done since I know too many people who work for UPS (not that they're all bad, but writing "Fragile" on a package is just asking for trouble with a select few of their less than stellar couriers), so I usually just live with it "as is" for the most part. Congrats on your first venture!

[Notalent]

That was the major genius of Leo, build it simple. Bolt on necks, pickguard mounted electronics; even a moron like me can learn to do a set-up!

[Big John]

Embarrased about that ???, I thought you were going to say your girlfriend bought you a Str*t or something ! ..............

[Mark Davis]

I was one of those kids who took everything apart to see how it worked.

I took all my bicycles apart repainted them had chain guides chromed different seats handlebars I was always doing stuff like that.

So when I was 16 in the mid 60's and started playing guitar I learned the basics the hard way by trial and error there was no internet or alot of books to help.

Everyone should be able to do a basic setup which includes adjustung the truss rod and setting the action and intonation. Most all Fenders need that and when you do it yourself its gets setup exactly like you like it not the blockhead guy at the local GC.

[Telemarkman]

Originally Posted by Big John

Embarrased about that ???, I thought you were going to say your girlfriend bought you a Str*t or something ! ..............

Or a Gypsin ...

Originally Posted by Mark Davis

Everyone should be able to do a basic setup which includes adjustung the truss rod and setting the action and intonation. Most all Fenders need that and when you do it yourself its gets setup exactly like you like it not the blockhead guy at the local GC.

Amen to that!

[brokenjoe]

Originally Posted by Mark Davis

I was one of those kids who took everything apart to see how it worked.

I took all my bicycles apart repainted them had chain guides chromed different seats handlebars I was always doing stuff like that.

So when I was 16 in the mid 60's and started playing guitar I learned the basics the hard way by trial and error there was no internet or alot of books to help.

Everyone should be able to do a basic setup which includes adjustung the truss rod and setting the action and intonation. Most all Fenders need that and when you do it yourself its gets setup exactly like you like it not the blockhead guy at the local GC.

Me too Mark! Boy, I've ruined a lot of perfectly good stuff in my day by taking it apart to see what made it tick!!! The worst has got to be re-assembling something, only to find out you've got a part left over!

However, I've learned how to fix all kinds of things from guitars and amps, to radios, watches, cameras, and, in some cases TVs.

[mijstrat72]

Originally Posted by brokenjoe

Me too Mark! Boy, I've ruined a lot of perfectly good stuff in my day by taking it apart to see what made it tick!!! The worst has got to be re-assembling something, only to find out you've got a part left over!

However, I've learned how to fix all kinds of things from guitars and amps, to radios, watches, cameras, and, in some cases TVs.

For sure on the additional parts deal...I jst did a head gasket on my car and had 4 bolts and a nut left over?!?! Car runs great now!

[Buckocaster51]

You da Man!

It's almost always best to do things yourself...vertical integration and all of that!

[ADK Teleman]

Great job!!! I love doing setups on my guitars!!! I know how I like it and well...I have yet to meet anyone who plays like I do. I look forward to the day I have nothing but time to tinker away on guitars....nothing more satisfying than getting a guitar to sound great,

[shinigami747]

this forum is a gold mine for information regarding setups and a whole more!

[Jellyroll]

Originally Posted by ChicknPickn

For a certain personality type, setups become addictive. You do one and start looking around for the next target. For such folks, the good news is that guitars always seem to be needing some sort of adjustment. As long as anything you do can be undone, nobody gets hurt. Look out, though, when you start filing frets . . . . .

I agree. In MI weather changes constantly all year long. Wet, dry, hot, cold, etc etc. I find myself doin pretty major setups 5 or 6 times a year, and minor ones every time I change strings. There is no reason to pay someone for this kinda work, plus nothing is more important than knowing your instrument.

[Telenator]

That's it. The door has been flung wide open now. I can see the threads coming. "Just replaced the truss rod in my Tele" or the venerable, "Just steamed the maple board off my neck and replaced it with rosewood."

Yup, it's all over now pal. You'll be swapping parts and pickups faster than Superman in no time at all!

Glad to hear your first mod worked out great!