Why You Should Get a Brand New Guitar Set Up (Yes, Even the Expensive Ones!)

Hey there, Stu from Stu’s Guitar Setups Haywards Heath in Sussex, here to chat to you about something that might surprise (and possibly even upset…) you. Why that shiny new guitar or bass you just bought needs a proper guitar setup. 

Now, I know what you’re thinking:

“But Stu, I just dropped a small fortune on this beauty. Surely it’s perfect right out of the box!”. 

You’d think so wouldn’t you (and frankly it should be)? But sadly most of the time you’re out of luck…

And this isn’t just an issue for cheaper guitars, nope. Even those high end electric guitars and basses come from a factory – and well….more on that later. 

Now don’t get me wrong, if you got a REALLY high end custom built boutique guitar from a small brand where they make and finish them by hand – sure that should be fine. But if you didn’t, then read on 🙂 

Now, who doesn’t love unboxing a brand-new guitar? 

That gleaming finish, the smooth fretboard (hopefully…), and oh, that new guitar smell! It’s enough to make any guitarist weak at the knees. 

A brand new guitar wrapped as a Christmas present.

But here’s the thing they don’t shout about in the shop…even though your new guitar looks like the real deal, it probably isn’t set up to play its absolute best straight out of the box – and in many cases, far far from it.

I know right? But don’t worry, that’s where a professional guitar setup comes in. It’s the secret sauce that can take your playing experience from “meh” to “wow!”, whether you’re rocking a budget model or a fancy high-end piece.

Afterall you’ve just shelled out a fair amount (or more) of money – and whilst you shouldn’t have to get a new guitar or bass setup, if it isn’t playing perfect – surely it’s worth a few more quid to get it playing like a butter. 

I mean, if you don’t, aren’t you just wasting the money you spent buying it in the 1st place?

I’ve been there. 

Many years ago, before I could do guitar setup work I had that disappointing experience too. 

You sit there with your new guitar – you play it every night for the 1st week – and it just doesn’t feel right. People ask how your new guitar is and you smile and tell them it’s great (don’t want to look like a fool do you?) – but inside you’re thinking:

I want to love it, but I’m scared I might actually hate it. Oh god, why did I buy it?

If that sounds like you – don’t worry, you can love your new guitar or bass – it just needs a bit of TLC 🙂

But first, why did it come like this in the first place?

Why New Guitars Aren’t Set Up Perfectly (Regardless of Price)

So why isn’t your brand new guitar setup properly? Well, there’s a few reasons (as far as I’m concerned):

Guitar factory assembly production line

Mass Production & Assembly Line Setup: At the end of the day, even those pricey, drool-worthy guitars are often produced on assembly lines – and they’re putting out volume every day. To get them out the door, they just get a basic, one-size-fits-all setup that’s meant to be “good enough” for the average player. But let’s be honest, when it comes to guitars, one size definitely does not fit all!

Factory Storage & Transport Conditions: After your guitar leaves the factory, it goes on quite a journey. Changes in temperature and humidity during transport can play havoc with the wood, affecting the neck, action, and intonation. By the time it reaches you, it might need a bit of TLC to get back in shape.

Retail Environments: If you bought your guitar from a store, think about how many hands have played it. Each person tweaking and adjusting, rarely leaving it in an ideal state. And if it’s been sitting in storage for a while? Well, let’s just say guitars don’t improve with age when they’re left untouched.

So what’s the fix? A full guitar setup – here’s why:

How a Professional Setup Transforms a New Guitar

This is where the magic happens. A professional guitar setup can turn your new guitar from a diamond in the rough into a finely polished gem. 

photos of some of the guitars that I've setup for customers

Here’s how a guitar setup helps:

Customised to You: Unlike that one-size-fits-all factory setup, a professional setup personalises your guitar to you. 

We’re talking string height, action, neck releif all adjusted to suit your playing style. It’s like having a guitar tailor-made for your hands!

Optimal Playability & Sound: No matter how much you spent on your guitar, some expert tweaks to the truss rod, bridge, nut, and intonation can work wonders. Suddenly, those strings sing like never before, and playing feels as smooth as butter.

Avoiding Bad Habits & Damage: A poorly set up guitar can be a pain to play – literally! It might lead to uncomfortable playing, causing beginners to develop bad habits or even cause wear and tear on the guitar over time. A good setup nips these issues in the bud, right from the get go.

Why You Should Get Any New Guitar Set Up – Cheap or Expensive

“But Stu,” I hear you say, “surely this only applies to cheap guitars, right?” Wrong! Let me break it down for you:

The Cheap Guitar Situation: Budget guitars are often built with cost efficiency in mind. This can mean uneven frets, improperly cut nuts, and action higher than a giraffe’s ears. But here’s the good news – a professional setup can work miracles on these issues.

The Expensive Guitar Trap: Don’t fall into the trap of thinking your pricey new guitar is immune to these issues. Even high-end guitars are subject to the same factory production quirks and environmental factors. A setup ensures you’re getting your money’s worth.

Achieving Consistent Quality: A proper setup is the great equalizer. It ensures your new guitar sounds as good as it looks and meets its full potential, whether it cost £200 or £2000.

Honestly a good setup can make a £200 guitar or bass play and feel like it cost £2000!

The Difference a Guitar Setup Makes – That ‘play like butter’ feeling

Fun image of a guitar made out of butter

Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty. What exactly does a setup do for you?

Smooth Playability & Comfort:

A well-set-up guitar feels like an extension of your hands. 

Once the neck relief and action is dialled in perfectly, and the frets have been polished to a mirror shine – Chords are easier to form, solos flow effortlessly, bending notes becomes easy and you can play for hours without your hands feeling like they’ve been attacked by cheese wire.

And when you’re guitar plays better – YOU play better

Improved Tuning Stability & Tone:

Say goodbye to constantly retuning or notes that sound off or choke as you move up the neck. A proper setup locks in tuning stability and ensures every note rings true.

Increased Longevity of your instrument:

Think of a setup as preventative medicine for your guitar. It helps protect against premature wear and tear, keeping your axe in prime condition for years to come.

Why Get Your Setup Done By a Professional

Now, I know some of you DIY enthusiasts might be tempted to tackle this yourself. And while there are certainly some adjustments you can make at home, here’s why you might want to leave it to the pros:

A Guitar Tech has Precision & Experience:

A professional setup is thorough and precise. We’ve seen it all and know exactly what to look for and how to fix it.

Experience is the biggy imo. The actual concepts of a guitar setup are pretty easy to get your head around. BUT what takes the time, is putting it all into practice until you can do it right, every time. 

This means (in reality) getting hold of LOTS of guitars, ripping them apart and putting them back together – again and again (and again). Believe me you do not want to learn on your pride and joy…

You can totally do that (hey that’s what I used to do when I finished my guitar tech course) – if you’ve got the time and money on your hands. 

A Guitar Setup Personalised To You

When you bring your guitar to me at Stu’s Guitar Setups, I take the time to understand your playing style. Your setup will be tailored specifically to you, not some generic standard. Take it to a busy shop and they probably wont even ask you how you like to play. 

Going to a ‘one man band’ (like me at Stu’s Guitar Setups) means you’re getting a fully bespoke setup – by someone who really takes pride in their work. 

(please check my reviews – my customers agree! :))

  • Took in my Squier Strat to have a single coil humbucker added, got a service and new strings and I am very impressed with the results, will be returning in the future. Thanks Stu!

    alfred matthews Avatar alfred matthews
    March 17, 2025

    Absolutely superb service. Stu has a real passion for guitars and the service he provided in setting up by guitar, listening to my concerns about its playability and the final result were all first class. Would recommend highly to anyone and have no hesitation using his services again in the future.

    Simon J Vickers Avatar Simon J Vickers
    March 13, 2025

    Stu really does go above and beyond when it comes to servicing and setting up your guitar! Bought my white Squire Telecaster (video on his site) to get checked out as it had an annoying buzz on several of the frets and some other issues. My guitar was restrung, cleaned, polished, frets measured, pickups adjusted, action lowered and whole load more boxes ticked….just a seriously thorough setup! The guitar played well before but now plays amazingly! Wondering if a setup from Stu is worth it? The answer is a resounding YES.

    adam lockyer Avatar adam lockyer
    February 19, 2025
  • Stu is a trained professional and geek when it comes to guitars and maintenance. He transformed two guitars for me(electric and acoustic), for a bargain of a price and shared plenty of tips along the way. I honestly wish I had come here 10 years earlier because my Strat now feels like a luxury guitar! Could not recommend more, this will be first stop for any future guitar servicing!

    faraaz khan Avatar faraaz khan
    February 10, 2025

    Very helpful! Fixed my guitar 🙂

    Jaiden Dan Avatar Jaiden Dan
    February 4, 2025

    I asked Stu to have a look at the pick up in my trusty old Martin D16GT which for some reason was not picking up much volume on the middle two strings I was very impressed with a very thorough investigation, sensible suggestions how to resolve and top quality workman ship which not only fixed the issues but also improved the action and the finish on the fretboard Very reasonable rates and fantastic communication keeping me fully in the loop as the investigation of the issue progressed - I would thoroughly recommend Stu’s services to anyone trying to resolve electric or acoustic guitar issues and he will be my first port of call for any of my ongoing guitar work Thanks again Stu, top work!

    Paul Walton Avatar Paul Walton
    January 14, 2025
  • Stu is a genius! He really knows his stuff when it comes to guitar set up, and is willing to share his knowledge. I am very pleased with my guitar and the service Stu provided. Very quick turn around and a great job! Thanks so much

    Craig Brown Avatar Craig Brown
    January 10, 2025

    Excellent customer service and care on the setup of my son’s bass guitar from Stu, looks amazing now and plays beautifully. Will be back for our next service!

    Maria Tether Avatar Maria Tether
    January 4, 2025

    Very friendly and knowledgeable with the upmost respect for the guitars and customers, highly recommend 👌 and very fair prices 👍

    Mark Dunn Avatar Mark Dunn
    December 20, 2024

The Right Tools for the Job

Guitar techs and luthiers have specialised tools and techniques that most players don’t have access to.

They aren’t the sort of tools you’ve got laying around from B&Q. And you need lots of them. Like really a lot.

Lots of guitar tools (artistic impression)

We know how to use these tools to get the best results without risking damage to your precious instrument (because we learnt the hard way – so you don’t have to).

Again, could you buy these tools and learn how to use them? Absolutely – but trust me, guitar tools aren’t cheap. And you’re probably looking at paying the same or more as you just did for the guitar itself. 

Of course if you don’t mind that, go for it!

But if you’d rather just get on with enjoying your guitar – for less than the cost of a meal out, then give me a shout and we can get your guitar setup the way it should be. 

Let’s make your new guitar play and sound even better than you imagined. 

After all, a great guitar deserves a great setup – and so do you!

Remember, whether it’s fresh out of the box or been hanging around for years, every guitar has the potential to be great. Sometimes it just needs a little help to truly shine.

If you’re in Sussex, I’m based in Haywards Heath – do drop me an email and let’s have a chat. 

You won’t believe the difference it will make to your playing – rock on!

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