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1. pts

   August 13th, 2008 at 5:55 pm

   1

   Take it to a guitar store that has a workshop area that will do a setup for you. You just need to ask for them to “lower the action” on your guitar. A complete setup normally costs between $50-$100, but having the action lowered should be way less. They might do it while you wait, or you come back after a day or two if they’re busy. Good luck!

2. seamac56

   August 16th, 2008 at 6:35 pm

   2

   I’ve played, gigged, taught, and horsetraded guitars for 20+ years on the side,(I work for NASA until 5pm) so here’s my 2 cents-
   Beginners lose interest for three main reasons- the first is a lack of structured practice habits- the next is nobody to play with, and the third is cheap ‘student’ instruments. Re the third, a lot can be done to compensate with a good setup from a shop. For a complete setup, a shop should 1) change strings, 2) Adjust the truss rod, and 3) Check and set the intonation. Find a shop that does their work onsite, so you don’t have to wait three weeks while it sits in its case somewhere. Also, see if you can have a loaner guitar in the meanwhile-some shops do that so you can check out new guitars.

   One more thing:
   Once you have a few chords down, can read some music, get together with someone at about your skill level, share the music/chords/tab for a few songs, familiarize yourself with the material, and meet in a few days for a jam session. Record yourselves at the start and the end of the session- you’ll be amazed how fast you improve- Good Luck!

   Seamus
   PS-Music is a social activity- you’ll go faster and farther with a partner than you will alone…

   Good Luck!

3. mirageguitarworks

   August 19th, 2008 at 6:03 am

   3

   Like many people an answer above goes directly to the truss rod when talking about setting action. TRUSS RODS ARE NOT TO SET ACTION! So much for nasa getting into the guitar business.

   Now that I have that off my chest, here are your answers in order:

   1) You want to have the guitar set up. Ask that the strings be replaced as well.
   2) We charge $60 to $90 for a setup depending on the work to be done.
   3) A good setup will take 2 to 3 days since the adjustments have to settle in and may require tweaking.