Guitar Center reliable for guitar set-ups?

[dr_love6977]

Guitar Center doesn't offer setups themselves. Certain ones will have local (self-proclaimed) luthiers come in certain days to offer setups, etc. The two I've had experience around here didn't know their ass from a hole in the ground. Find a mom n pop music store and ask them who they know in the local area.

[Recycled_Brains]

I would NEVER have a GC employee set up my guitar, unless I knew the person well, and could vouch for his skills.

[rty5150]

Originally Posted by dr_love6977

Guitar Center doesn't offer setups themselves. Certain ones will have local (self-proclaimed) luthiers come in certain days to offer setups, etc. The two I've had experience around here didn't know their ass from a hole in the ground. Find a mom n pop music store and ask them who they know in the local area.

[rty5150]

btw, i am the best guitar tech i know. weird how so few people can properly setup a floyd rose trem! if you look for more than string changing and polishing, go elsewhere than GC.

[theblue1]

Like any shop, it all depends on who's behind the bench.

But it's hard for me to imagine someone really good staying at a GC for long. Harder still to imagine they could get good at a GC. ("After conservatory, I did a 7 year apprenticeship with Joe Blow at the Capital City Guitar Center. And then they gave me my own bench." )

[deeper]

Originally Posted by Webb

I know Guitar Center doesn't have the greatest rep for knowledge and know-how, but surely they could do a good job at a typical setup, no?

"Surely"? I wouldn't bet on it. Sounds very scary to me! I'd rather risk crossing an intersection with my eyes closed.

[kafka]

Originally Posted by Webb

Anyone have experience (good or bad) using GC for setups and/or minor guitar tweaks?

Learn how to do minor tweaks yourself. For the major stuff, find out who the professionals near you go to. Setup is cheap, even from the best.

[Lee Knight]

Call the coolest music store in town. The one with all the vintage stuff... and ask them. They most likely have someone on staff that's very good. If they don't, they'll be even more truthfull and recommend the local hotshot.

Go to the hotshot if you can. Prices don't very that much and it's wonderful to play your guitar after the local guru has done his thing.

[joeydego]

the guy in the queens store has done decent work in the past.

[warhead]

Originally Posted by theblue1

Like any shop, it all depends on who's behind the bench.

Originally Posted by Lee Knight

Call the coolest music store in town. The one with all the vintage stuff... and ask them.

thumbsup and thumbsup

War

[doncaparker]

Remember that country song, "Lookin' For Love in All the Wrong Places"? I think you are looking in the wrong place for what you want. Guitar Center ain't it.

The coolest guitar shop in town is a good place to look, but you can get right to the source by calling the folks who specialize in guitar repair. You're in Philadelphia, right? There are a few listed on a quick Google search. These folks don't just do repairs; they make their bread and butter doing simple setup jobs. It's how they build a loyal clientele for when your Les Paul hits the floor and the headstock pops off.

Pay premium dollars for professional setups. It is really worth the money.

[BOWIE]

Little story; I once had a GC employee I know spot me shopping in the store and say, "I'm glad you're here. We set-up this girl's guitar and now it won't produce any sound when plugged in!" I went to check out the situation and discovered a GC guy holding a soldering iron with a broken tip, attempting to poke around inside the electronics cavity. Since these guys always give me big discounts, I fixed it for them but I was shocked at the situation.
I like GC but would never recommend taking a guitar there for a set-up. It seems harmless enough but the tiny screws can be easily stripped, body scratched, or you could end up with someone sticking a broken soldering iron on your electronics.

Oh, and even the well-established shops can do crap work so I always advise that a person learns how to do it themselves.

[KurtR]

Not sure about guitar center but the Sam Ash in orlando has a guy that rents a room upstairs and makes / repairs / sets-up guitars and does work sometimes for Sam Ash. Maybe some guitar centers are like this?

[Ken Walker]

Originally Posted by Webb

I need a couple of my guitars setup and don't really know of anyone in the area. I know Guitar Center doesn't have the greatest rep for knowledge and know-how, but surely they could do a good job at a typical setup, no?

Anyone have experience (good or bad) using GC for setups and/or minor guitar tweaks?

PM sent. Check this shop out. It was started by a very respected luthier.

[jimcroisdale]

There is a fantastic setup section at "IBANEZ RULES!!" - Ibanez Guitars - New and Used

This guy sells guitars all over the world on reputation alone - his setup and tech skills are amazing and he is more than willing to share.

Check it out!

Jim

[Meriphew]

The Guitar Center here in downtown Seattle has a repair shop right next door to it called "Parsons". After my experience there, and after hearing of a friend's experience last week (which pretty much duplicated the type of service that I received), I'll avoid them like the plague from now on.

[Wolf LeProducer]

Originally Posted by theblue1

Like any shop, it all depends on who's behind the bench.

But it's hard for me to imagine someone really good staying at a GC for long. Harder still to imagine they could get good at a GC. ("After conservatory, I did a 7 year apprenticeship with Joe Blow at the Capital City Guitar Center. And then they gave me my own bench." )

It all depends who is behind the bench. In this economy, GuitarCenter is the only place with enough traffic, to hold on to the talent.

I once took a guitar to a local, "unknown, small town," music store, and it got the most B.S. setup you could imagine.

Today, I just got home from GuitarCenter a few minutes ago, and I had to jump on the net and Google Search, "guitar center setups." I knew their would be nothing but negative thoughts.

However, I just got a really nice guitar center setup. A really nice tech, is behind the bench at my shop. Sure, "he can do you one in 20 minutes," if he wants. If you show up their with your dumb ass les paul, thinkin your les paul.

But he spent an hour and forty five really working the intonation on mine, and did a lot less, "clean and polish," and a lot more looking for buzzy notes.

Is it the best setup I ever had, "no." But.. My guitar was well looked after, is in perfect condition, play really, really well.

What would have happened if I didn't go to GC?

My only other option was the store that f' my other guitar up 8 years ago. I happen to be in the same, "small town," right now.

Anyways, from here on out, I am really thinking about learning it myself. and Doing it myself. But getting a good setup, from a good tech, is nothing to sneeze at.

[Hot Vibrato]

Originally Posted by Wolf LeProducer

...from here on out, I am really thinking about learning it myself. and Doing it myself. But getting a good setup, from a good tech, is nothing to sneeze at.

Dude, it ain't rocket science, but I'm constantly amazed about how mechanically challenged the average guitar player is.

A great book to get you started is The Guitar Player Repair Guide by Dan Erlewine. It takes you step-by-step through setup work, fret work, finish, etc. Not entirely comprehensive, but it contains everything you need to know in order to do your own setups and maintenance. Be prepared to spend some money on tools, but they will pay for themselves in time - especially if you have several guitars.

I should mention that if you're not terribly mechanically inclined, then you should maybe just continue taking your guitars to a professional - it takes an eye for very minute detail in order to do good setup work, etc, - a skill that many (very intelligent) people just don't have.

Regarding Guitar Center's guitar techs:

I've been doing guitar repair and maintenance professionally for nearly 20 years. Before they started staffing their own tech, the local Guitar Center sent a fair amount of work to me, and referred lots of customers to me. When they were ready to hire a tech of their own, they offered me the job - for $9 an hour. I turned them down. No guitar tech with any amount of skill and experience would be willing to work for $9 an hour, period. Our town got lucky - the guy who took the job is a semi-retired carpenter/contractor. Although he lacked experience, he's a smart guy and he knows his limitations. We have since become friends, and he occasionally calls me to ask for advice.

If you're considering taking your guitar to Guitar Center for maintenance or repair, bear in mind that the guy doing the work is making slightly over minimum wage. Skilled, experienced guitar techs should (and do) make more. If there's a guitar shop in your area that has a truly skilled craftsman doing the work, their reputation will precede them, and they are always backlogged.

[Jay-]

Mars music smashed my $1200 guitar.
Best advice I ever got was from LR Baggs tech support.

1. DONT take the guitar to any place.
2. Repair it your self.
3. pat self on back.

Learn how to do it your self,

I forgot once I took a high end telecaster to Austin TX guitar center and the guy just kicked ass and it was $50 including he put in pickups.
AA+++

[skinnypete]

GC would be almost the last place I would go.

I would go to a high-end place and ask if they know anyone. Most high-end or vintage guitar stores even have someone really good that they contract the work out to, if not in the store. That or ask the best pro guitarist you know. You're in Philly? There must be 2 or 3 really good techs there, its a big city.

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[Hot Vibrato]

Originally Posted by Jay-

Mars music smashed my $1200 guitar.
Best advice I ever got was from LR Baggs tech support.

1. DONT take the guitar to any place.
2. Repair it your self.
3. pat self on back.

Learn how to do it your self...

That's horrible advice. Listen to this guy:

Originally Posted by skinnypete

...I would go to a high-end place and ask if they know anyone. Most high-end or vintage guitar stores even have someone really good that they contract the work out to, if not in the store. That or ask the best pro guitarist you know. You're in Philly? There must be 2 or 3 really good techs there, its a big city.

There is no way that the average guitar player is going to take the time to develop the skills, or spend the money to buy the tools that are necessary to do the same quality of work as someone who has spent their career learning the craft of guitar maintenance/repair.

I would never discourage anyone from learning the craft. Like I said before - setup work, etc. is NOT rocket science, but some really smart people just don't have the aptitude for it. Some do.

It's unlikely that anyone can do any permanent damage by doing setup work, unless you slip with the screwdriver or something. However, anything beyond setup work (fret work, structural repairs, etc.) should be taken to a skilled professional. If you want to learn, practice on cheap guitars - not your beloved family heirlooms, vintage instruments, or anything that is at all valuable, until you acquire the proper tools, and gain the experience to do it as good as it can possibly be done.

I only say this because I have seen SO MANY butcher jobs done by well-intentioned do-it-youselfers, and by so-called professionals. I'm the guy who has to undo those butcher jobs, when in fact, it would have been much simpler (and cheaper) to have it done right the first time by someone with skills and experience. Also, the end result is never as good as it would have been had it been done right in the first place.

[Wolf LeProducer]

Originally Posted by Hot Vibrato

A great book to get you started is The Guitar Player Repair Guide by Dan Erlewine. It takes you step-by-step through setup work, fret work, finish, etc. Not entirely comprehensive, but it contains everything you need to know in order to do your own setups and maintenance. Be prepared to spend some money on tools, but they will pay for themselves in time - especially if you have several guitars.

Is that Stew Mac Setup Kit worth it? Where do I get all this stuff -- same quality, but for less than $80? My guitar came with the proper allen wrench. Isn't a home depot straight edge just as good?

STEWMAC.COM : Basic Setup Kit

This dvd's, these are $50 a pop.. STEWMAC.COM : Dan Erlewines Maintenance & Setup for Electric Guitars and Basses

Can you recommend one good DVD that is only $20 -- $30?

[FFTT]

The amp repair guys usually know a set up guy .

[Wolf LeProducer]

Originally Posted by FFTT

The amp repair guys usually know a set up guy .

Uh.. @ this point in time, my amp repair guy is, "Native Instrument."



Waiting on Guitar Rig 6!! Hopefully its a good vintage.

[skinnypete]

When I'm in SF I take my guitars and basses to Geoff at SF Guitarworks.

When I'm in NYC I take my guitars and basses to Norio at Imai Guitars.

There is NOTHING like a good tech, man.

[kennybro]

Basic setup is easy. DIY. Plenty of info out there on the internet. You're not going to damage anything adjusting string height, truss rod, radius, pup height, etc... it's as easy as correctly changing your strings.

Just get the correct tools (the right size allen wrench & screwdrivers), take it slow and don't force anything. You might screw it up first time, but you'll learn, save youself some money and figure out how to tweak it to a more personal feel than will any shop.

Fret and nut work is another animal. Either be prepared for a steep learning curve or take it to a pro. Nothing you probably can't learn, but that really is something you get the feel for only after doing a ton of jobs.

[Hot Vibrato]

Originally Posted by Wolf LeProducer

Is that Stew Mac Setup Kit worth it? Where do I get all this stuff -- same quality, but for less than $80? My guitar came with the proper allen wrench. Isn't a home depot straight edge just as good?

STEWMAC.COM : Basic Setup Kit

This dvd's, these are $50 a pop.. STEWMAC.COM : Dan Erlewines Maintenance & Setup for Electric Guitars and Basses

Can you recommend one good DVD that is only $20 -- $30?

Forget the DVD for now if it's not in your budget. All the info you need is in the book.

Don't buy the StewMac kit. It's just gimmicky bullshit that you don't need. It doesn't even include nut files or truss rod wrenches, which ARE necessary if you're serious about doing setup work.

A good straight edge is handy for guitar work. It doesn't really qualify as gimmicky bullshit, but it's not completely necessary. In fact, I rarely use one, and I work on guitars every day. I assume they recommend the straight edge for checking neck bow, but a guitar string tuned to pitch is a PERFECT straight edge, and it's sitting right above the frets, right where you need it. Here's how to adjust the rod without any tools other than the appropriate truss rod wrench (do this with the guitar strung to pitch): On your high E string, just fret the first or second fret with your left hand. With your right hand, fret the string around the neck/body joint (14th to 17th fret). Repeat the same procedure on the low E string. The gap between the top of the fret and the bottom of the string should be paper thin (maybe .007" at most). Adjust the rod accordingly.

I must admit that the StewMac string action gauge looks pretty handy, but you don't need it (I don't have one). Just go to Lowe's or Home Depot and get a steel 6-inch ruler with 1/32" and 1/64" graduations (maybe $10). That's what I use.

Instead of buying those under-string radius gauges, just develop an eye for matching the string radius with the neck radius. You can also check string height above the D and G strings with your 6 inch ruler if you're unsure whether your string radius is accurate.

Like I said before, you need a set of nut files if you are doing setup work. Luthiers Merchantile has a set of three double-sided files that will get you started, and it's the cheapest option for you that I'm aware of. Get the FNS set: Nut & Saddle Files - Information and Pricing at LMI

You'll also need an assortment of allen wrenches and screwdrivers, but you may already have that stuff.

If you get really into guitar work, the list of tools to buy never ends, but for doing basic setup work, here's what you need:
- truss rod wrenches (no need to buy a full set yet if you have what you need for your guitars)
- 6 inch steel ruler with 1/32" and 1/64" graduations:
- set of nut files
- screwdrivers
- allen wrenches. Metric and fractional (including small sizes for doing bridge saddle adjustments)

By the way (not to discourage you, but it would be irresponsible of me not to mention this): you CAN screw up your nut permanently if you cut the slots too deep, or at the wrong angle. You should practice on a crappy guitar. It's not necessarily a do-it-yourself kind of thing. It's a very critical adjustment, and doing it properly will make or break the playability of a guitar.

[skinnypete]

Changing strings, saddle height and intonation screws is one thing.

As soon as you get into truss rod you can damage your instrument.

I will do truss rods myself. Anything more than that, I go to a tech.

I could probably learn how to do valve adjustments on my car too. The thing is, I have other shit to do than learn a new craft.

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[FFTT]

Then again if you're young and want to develop a craft skill that will provide you with some pretty good steady money, Becoming a skilled guitar tech is a pretty cool way to work in the industry.