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. 

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):

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. 

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

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! :))

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.

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!