Since the origins of the modern guitar, (generally traced to the 14th century Guitarra Latina from Spain), the instrument has stood and continues to stand as both a tool and companion for countless artists. From intimate acoustic melodies to thundering electric riffs, the guitar in popular music has provided the musical soundtrack for individual and collective cultural experiences. However, just like knives and skates that need sharpening, or a car that needs an oil change, they require care and attention to maintain their peak performance. This is where guitar setup and repair come into play, serving as the first line of defense towards protecting and maintaining your instrument. In this article, we’ll delve into why these services are not just a good idea but essential for every guitarist and their prized possessions.
Why Setups Are Important
Imagine owning a fine-tuned sports car but neglecting its maintenance. Over time, its performance would quickly deteriorate, and the same principle applies to guitars. Without regular guitar setups and repairs done every 6 months or with the change of the seasons, the instrument’s sound quality will begin to suffer.
Have you noticed issues such as buzzing frets? Or that your guitar feels more difficult to play than in the past? Worn frets, uneven action, or intonation problems can detract from the richness and clarity of the natural sound of the instrument. A properly set up guitar ensures that each note rings out true and pure, allowing the player’s skill and intention to be expressed freely.
A Well Executed Setup Liberates Your Guitar and You!
The easy playability of a guitar is crucial for the professional musician or amateur hobbyist alike. A poorly set up instrument can be a source of frustration, hindering the player’s ability to perform comfortably and confidently. It can also cause a beginner player to develop bad habits, increase the risk of injury or worse, think that the instrument is just too hard for them to play in the first place.
Overly high or low action, uneven frets, or an improper gauge of strings can make even the simplest of chords feel like a struggle or make it difficult when transitioning to other types of guitars. A well-executed setup takes into account each individual guitarist’s preferences and playing style, transforming the guitar into an extension of the player’s body, enhancing both speed, accuracy, tone and thus the performance itself.
An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure
Just as preventative maintenance prolongs the lifespan of a car, regular guitar repairs and setups can prevent more serious issues down the line. Small problems, if left unattended, can escalate into major repairs, potentially costing both time and money. For example, a minor fret buzz might seem inconsequential at first, but continued playing could wear down the frets or lead to structural damage. By addressing issues early on, guitar setups and repairs help safeguard the instrument against more significant damage, ensuring years of reliable performance.
One way of ensuring your guitar remains in top condition in between setups is maintaining a consistent humidity level for your instrument and we recommend keeping the level at about 45-50% throughout the year as well as a temperature of 17-20° celsius to prevent the delicate woods of your instrument from warping. You may notice at the school we are always trying to do our best to maintain these levels through our use of a combination of humidifiers and dehumidifiers as Toronto’s unique climate offers year round challenges if we wish to keep our gear in great working condition. As your guitar spends most of its time in your home, it is important for you to maintain a stable humidity and temperature environment year-round for your instrument.
For an in-depth discussion on humidification and dehumidification products and strategies for keeping your instrument in top condition keep an eye out for our upcoming blog: Humidity – The Silent Killer of Stringed Instruments. In the meantime, have a room humidifier for the winter season and a dehumidifier for the warm weather along with a hygrometer, which will help you determine if you need to take extra measures to adjust the air moisture level in your home.
Personalization and Customization
Every guitarist is unique, with distinct preferences and playing styles. Guitar setups offer an opportunity for personalization and customization, allowing advanced players to tailor their instruments to suit their individual needs for whatever gig is thrown at them. Whether it’s adjusting the string gauge, fine-tuning the pickup height, or installing specialized hardware, these modifications can significantly impact the guitar’s tone and feel. Moreover, personalized setups foster a deeper connection between the player and their instrument, empowering them to explore new sounds and techniques with confidence.
Can I Do My Own Setup?
The short answer is yes, with the availability of information we have now, you can learn to do your own setups but to become a great technician takes many hours and lots of trial and error. Such experimentation involves the possibility of damaging your instrument which could lead to much higher costs than a setup. Like a pastry chef or a cabinet maker, professional luthiers and guitar technicians have spent countless hours developing their craft, honing the necessary skills, learning to interpret the design of each instrument and understanding each musician’s needs to provide the best possible setup. If you want to learn more though, we’ve provided our thoughts here on a logical path to start developing these skills.
Conclusion
In the world of music, the importance of guitar repair and setups cannot be overstated. Beyond mere maintenance, these services are fundamental to preserving sound quality, optimizing playability, preventing future damage, and creating the conditions to perform with clarity and intention. Every guitarist, from novice to professional, stands to benefit from the expertise of skilled repair technicians. So, the next time your guitar needs attention, be sure to schedule an appointment with one of our amazing repair technicians at the Toronto Guitar School and we will have you rocking to your fullest potential as soon as possible!
