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Started By
Message
Should I bring my used guitar to a luthier?
Posted on 1/30/15 at 9:04 am
Posted on 1/30/15 at 9:04 am
I bought a used guitar online recently from an out of state Guitar Center.
Should I bring it to my local luthier and have it checked out and set up right?
Should I bring it to my local luthier and have it checked out and set up right?
3
Posted on 1/30/15 at 9:14 am to NatalbanyTigerFan
I read your thread on the OT. What kind of guitar is it? What do you need done to the guitar?
Posted on 1/30/15 at 9:20 am to TxTiger82
It's a Yamaha Pacifica 012.
I just want to make sure all the components are working correctly and that the neck is straight. Get it set up to be able to learn on.
Just get it checked out by someone who knows what they're looking at.
I just want to make sure all the components are working correctly and that the neck is straight. Get it set up to be able to learn on.
Just get it checked out by someone who knows what they're looking at.
Posted on 1/30/15 at 9:30 am to NatalbanyTigerFan
quote:
It's a Yamaha Pacifica 012.
Thanks. Knowing the guitar helps.
quote:
the neck is straight
Looks like you've got a bolt on, which means that its possible its bolted on improperly. If it is, you would probably be able to tell.
1) Is it loose? (Wiggle it a little)
2) Is the intonation correct? (Play the "open" note on the top string. Now cover that string on the 12th fret [i.e. the one with two dots]. Are the notes the same? If they are not, the intonation may indeed be out.)
quote:
make sure all the components are working correctly
1) Are there pickups that don't work or don't sound right?
2) Does the action on the fretboard feel OK? Are the strings too high or too low? When you play an open string, do you get a buzzing or vibrating noise?
3) Does your guitar have a whammy bar? If so, do you know what kind of bridge it has? It looks like most Yamaha Pacifica 012s have whammies. If yours does, and you think something funny is going on with the bridge, it might be worth getting that checked out.
4) Do the tuners hold tune? If you tune it, does the guitar slip out of tune quickly? Even with newer strings that have been properly stretched?
This post was edited on 1/30/15 at 9:31 am
Posted on 1/30/15 at 9:47 am to TxTiger82
I know that's a lot of questions but my suggestion would be to check those things out yourself. If you encounter any issues or just have some doubts then yes, it could be worth it to have a professional look at the guitar.
Just be wary about replacing any of the major parts (neck, bridge, pickups) because that could start to add up and you don't want to invest in the thing beyond its value.
Good luck, and let me know if you have more questions.
Just be wary about replacing any of the major parts (neck, bridge, pickups) because that could start to add up and you don't want to invest in the thing beyond its value.
Good luck, and let me know if you have more questions.
Posted on 1/30/15 at 9:49 am to TxTiger82
quote:
Posted by TxTiger82
quote:
It's a Yamaha Pacifica 012.
Thanks. Knowing the guitar helps.
quote:
the neck is straight
Looks like you've got a bolt on, which means that its possible its bolted on improperly. If it is, you would probably be able to tell.
1) Is it loose? (Wiggle it a little)
Not at all
2) Is the intonation correct? (Play the "open" note on the top string. Now cover that string on the 12th fret [i.e. the one with two dots]. Are the notes the same? If they are not, the intonation may indeed be out.)
Sounds great
quote:
make sure all the components are working correctly
1) Are there pickups that don't work or don't sound right?
All seem to be working fine
2) Does the action on the fretboard feel OK? Are the strings too high or too low? When you play an open string, do you get a buzzing or vibrating noise?
Feels a little low to me but I have learning open chords on a cheap acoustic for about a month
3) Does your guitar have a whammy bar? If so, do you know what kind of bridge it has? It looks like most Yamaha Pacifica 012s have whammies. If yours does, and you think something funny is going on with the bridge, it might be worth getting that checked out.
No whammie bar included
4) Do the tuners hold tune? If you tune it, does the guitar slip out of tune quickly? Even with newer strings that have been properly stretched?
Seems to being staying in tune. I just received it Monday and I practice about an hour or so every night. So not a whole lot of time with it yet
Posted on 1/30/15 at 9:55 am to NatalbanyTigerFan
The guitar looks to be in great shape. I just keep reading about how great a good set up is for learning how to play.
Posted on 1/30/15 at 10:01 am to NatalbanyTigerFan
quote:
The guitar looks to be in great shape. I just keep reading about how great a good set up is for learning how to play.
If everything is in good shape, I would skip it. The only thing I can think of that might impact your learning is the action (i.e., the space between the fretboard and the strings). Higher action makes fingering more difficult, and so it would take more effort to learn the basic chord positions, etc. (this should hurt your hand and fingers a little bit anyways).
If you don't feel comfortable with your action, and you don't know any guitar players who could lower it for you, then yes, go ahead and bring it to your local guitar place and ask them about it.
Posted on 1/30/15 at 10:07 am to TxTiger82
Thanks!
That crappy Johnson acoustic I've been using has toughened my fingertips up. lol
I appreciate the advice!
That crappy Johnson acoustic I've been using has toughened my fingertips up. lol
I appreciate the advice!
Posted on 1/30/15 at 10:29 am to TxTiger82
quote:
TxTiger82
No offense intended, but I doubt he can really answer any of those questions as a beginner. I actually would recommend going to a luthier but not just dropping it off -- find someone who will take the time to show you how to set the intonation, adjust the action, etc. It took me years before I really learned how to do that kind of basic stuff, and I regret it.
Edit: Or if you have a friend who is an experienced guitarist, ask him to do it with you rather than pay a luthier for what should be a simple set up.
This post was edited on 1/30/15 at 10:30 am
Posted on 1/30/15 at 10:58 am to NatalbanyTigerFan
quote:
that the neck is straight
I agree with the above comments but just a quick comment. The neck should not be perfectly straight in most cases. If you lay a straightedge across the frets there will usually be a slight bow in the neck. How much bow there is is a personal preference. In general you want the action as low as possible without any buzzing or "fretting out" when you bend notes. Since you're just learning, I doubt you'll be playing a lot from the 12th fret up or bending notes.
I wouldn't take it to a luthier just yet but if you notice anything that doesn't seem right, then I would. Some things to look for: buzzing on certain notes, action too high (especially in the first few frets), some frets higher or lower than the others, bad intonation, won't stay in tune and using the whammy bar causes it to go out of tune.
Posted on 1/30/15 at 1:28 pm to NatalbanyTigerFan
If you bought it to learn on then just start playing it. Don't worry about intonation, etc. You won't be able to tell the difference between good intonation and bad until you learn how to play. I would say if you get some buzzing then have the neck checked. But you are going to get buzzing regardless as your fingers are not very strong just starting out. I think most everybody learns on a crappy guitar, I know I did. I played a hundred dollar fender for a year and a half until I rewarded myself with a nice guitar.
Posted on 1/30/15 at 1:37 pm to Zappas Stache
You can easily learn how to set up your own guitar by searching on YouTube. Save your money and do it yourself. You won't hurt it unless you need a truss rod adjustment. In that case, you will want to contact a luthier to be on the safe-side. Have fun!
Posted on 1/30/15 at 3:17 pm to TigerRanter
quote:
You can easily learn how to set up your own guitar by searching on YouTube. Save your money and do it yourself. You won't hurt it unless you need a truss rod adjustment. In that case, you will want to contact a luthier to be on the safe-side. Have fun!
Everybody is scared of adjusting the truss rod for some reason. There's no need to be, just realize that a little goes a long way. If the truss rod nut is stuck, then I'd seek professional help but otherwise, it's no different from anything else. That said, I agree that it's worth learning to do a set up yourself. Go to Stewart-McDonald and get a basic set up kit and watch their videos on how to do it.
Posted on 1/30/15 at 8:42 pm to NatalbanyTigerFan
Take it to jody meyeaux at jodys music in walker , good guy great player and he has set up my guitars . He also is a teacher , and a good one
Posted on 1/30/15 at 11:45 pm to MountainTiger
quote:Not everyone. We're talking to a first-timer, here.
Everybody is scared of adjusting the truss rod for some reason.
Posted on 1/31/15 at 2:37 pm to TigerRanter
Thanks everyone for all the advice.
I decided to just learn on it like it is. I had a friend look at it and he couldn't believe the guitar was used before I bought it.
I did take the old cheap acoustic Johnson to the shop today. They are going to glue the bridge down where it is coming up on one side and sand down the saddle to make a little more playable.
I decided to just learn on it like it is. I had a friend look at it and he couldn't believe the guitar was used before I bought it.
I did take the old cheap acoustic Johnson to the shop today. They are going to glue the bridge down where it is coming up on one side and sand down the saddle to make a little more playable.
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