I did it myself!!

Congrats on your accomplishment and successful setup :)

Also thank you for posting the name and author of the reference book you used for info,

I make use of a book titled ‘The Guitar Handbook' by Ralph Denyer (ISBN 0-679-74275-1)

The book is a great overall reference and covers almost everything regarding the guitar – both acoustic and electric – from chords to wiring diagrams – sound systems, etc.

BS
:D

See, now you're hooked SmokinDog! You'll see an old broom or mop with a warped stick leaning against a wall and start thinking Well, you know...if that had a trussrod in it I could..., or you'll be crossing a suspension bridge and start thinking about intonation and whether the thing is 'tuned' right.

It's all over now. :wink:

Congrats :!:

It's a nice feeling the first time you get through a setup and it sounds like you enjoyed it and the benefits.

I'll second The Guitar Handbook as a good guitar and playing reference, but for more detail on maintenance and repair on both electrics and acoustics, with specific info on many Fender and Gibson makes, I recommend Dan Erlewine's Guitar Player Repair Guide, published by Guitar Player. Erlewine also has one out called How to Make Your Electric Guitar Play Great, which is cheaper and pretty good, but the Guitar Player version is much more comprehensive. Both are available at Amazon.com.

I am about to take my guitar in to get it checked on to see if it needs a setup. Smokindog would you suggest getting the same book you got and doing it myself or taking it in. I guess I am asking would you suggest this to others?

Shibby

I'm sure the recommended books are great and I plan on checking them out, but I learned how to do this from the Fender Mr. Gearhead site as well as a couple of other online resources. If you have the desire, you can learn to do this yourself.

I had taken my guitar in for set up a couple of times to different places and it was never "just right" for me. So, I dove in - checked online and figured out how to do it myself - action and truss rod adjustments. It took me a while and there was a good deal of experimentation (including a day or two when my guitar was unplayable), but in the end I learned a valuable skill.

Look at it this way. Right now you're planning on paying for the service. If you hose it up, you can always take the guitar to the shop and pay, just like you planned all along.

There was another thread on this topic about six months ago. Check it out here:

https://www.guitarnoise.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12023&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

A couple of online resources:
http://users.powernet.co.uk/guitars/setuptut.htm
http://mysite.verizon.net/jazz.guitar/guitarsetup.htm

Good luck whatever you decide!

Steve

shibby, steve makes a good point, you can always get help if you need it. Mr gearhead is a good resource for fenders also, i agree :D Just take your time and go slow , you will be just fine :D :D lots of good books and internet resources out there and lots of folks here to help out :wink: --the dog ( THANKS EVERYONE :!: )

Look at it this way. Right now you're planning on paying for the service. If you hose it up, you can always take the guitar to the shop and pay, just like you planned all along.

Thats a great point steve I have never thought of it like that. Alright then it is settled I shall do it myself with online resources. Thanks

Shibby

I also reccomend Dan Erlwine's Guitar Player book. contains everything from electronics, finishes, set-up for acoustic and electrics, re-fretted, making a new nut. basically everything you could ever want to do to a guitar. plus it has some wonderful interviews