Getting Started With The Guitar - Find A Luthier
Where do I begin in the world of guitars? Whether you purchase an expensive guitar or a guitar to fit your budget, and whether or not you settle on learning acoustic – steel string, classical – nylon string, or an electric guitar with an amplifier, your guitar needs to be "set-up" correctly. To enjoy learning and playing your guitar it is critical that your guitar's action be set-up properly.
Before you make a purchase of a guitar and invest your hard earned money my recommendation is that you visit a local luthier near you. A luthier is someone who builds and repairs guitars. Ask the luthier how much (ball park price) it costs for a guitar to have its action set-up. Also ask the luthier what to look for when making a purchase. I like my acoustic guitar to be set-up according to Guild Guitar's general specifications. The neck is straightened to a certain gap between the low E-string (6th string) and the 5th fret bar using the truss rod after being measured while the strings are tuned to one half the thickness of the high E-string (1st string). The gap is measured with a capo placed on the first fret space and with the string depressed at the 14th fret space. Once this is adjusted (if it can't be adjusted by the luthier he or she will tell you immediately and you should return your guitar as soon as possible for a refund as it is defective) the luthier will adjust your action at the 12th fret space (the gap between the12th fret bar and the high E-string is measured). If the gap is too high it will be hard to play on your fingers and the strings may squeak when you slide up or down the neck. Should the gap be too low there will be buzzing when strumming hard and playing certain notes and chords. Guild Guitar suggests a gap of between .070 and .078 at the 12th fret bar and high E-string. The saddle will have to be removed from the bridge and either raised or lowered to achieve the proper action. The saddle can be shaved at the bottom or a shim can be added below the saddle. Sometimes the luthier may suggest that you replace your saddle, i.e. with a bone saddle or similar hard material. Generally, if the saddle has to be removed and/or replaced the luthier will want to replace your strings with new ones. Once the neck and action at the 12th fret is adjusted then the action at the 1st fret (gap between the 1st string and 1st fret bar across to the 6th string and 1st fret) is checked. This action is adjusted by filing the slots on the nut at the bottom of the head stock with special files to lower it as needed. Guild Guitar suggests .022 for the 6th string and .020 for the1st string at the first fret bar.
An excellent Luthier if you are in the South East near Charlotte, North Carolina is Mr. Ari Lehtela at the LA Guitar Factory. You can visit his web site at www.lehtelaguitarcraft.com. If you want a unique acoustic guitar or electric guitar Mr. Lehtela is the luthier to visit. For example, he has designed a special acoustic guitar with a floating bridge (like a violin) which allows him to optimize the adjustment to control the resonance of the top of the guitar. This is impossible on guitars once a bridge is fixed in place. His novel innovation is worth a trip to check out his guitars. His acoustic electric models with amazing pick-ups are another innovation he has introduced. And if all you want is to have your new guitar's action set-up Ari is someone you can trust to do it at a fair price. Also if you have ever wanted to build your own guitar Mr. Lehtela offers one on one instruction at his shop and offers group sessions on guitar building at another site.
Should you be in the North East, the check out the Luthier at Timeless Guitars in Parma, Ohio near Cleveland, Ohio. Mark is the luthier there and specializes in electric guitar rebuilds and can be relied upon to set-up your guitar to enhance its playability. If your guitar has issues you can trust mark to inform you as soon as he is aware of it.
In the North West, near Seattle Washington, a luthier turned into a sort of legend because of Tom Brookes's excellent book, Guitar: An American Life is worth seeking out. Luthier, Mr. Rick Davis operates Running Dogs Guitars (named for his dogs he enjoys) and you can visit his web site at www.vtguitars.com. If you want a custom built guitar or just need a proper setup Mr. Davis is worth the trip to see.
But if you are in the South West, a trip to Tucson, Arizona may be in order to see J. S. Cooper. Check out his web site at www.jscooperluthier.com. His web site gives full specifications used in one of his fine instruments.
There are also some forums that discuss favorite luthiers that may help you find one near where you live. But an excellent luthier, a good set-up, and some new strings and or a better nut and saddle can really help you to enjoy learning to play your new guitar.
Before you make a purchase of a guitar and invest your hard earned money my recommendation is that you visit a local luthier near you. A luthier is someone who builds and repairs guitars. Ask the luthier how much (ball park price) it costs for a guitar to have its action set-up. Also ask the luthier what to look for when making a purchase. I like my acoustic guitar to be set-up according to Guild Guitar's general specifications. The neck is straightened to a certain gap between the low E-string (6th string) and the 5th fret bar using the truss rod after being measured while the strings are tuned to one half the thickness of the high E-string (1st string). The gap is measured with a capo placed on the first fret space and with the string depressed at the 14th fret space. Once this is adjusted (if it can't be adjusted by the luthier he or she will tell you immediately and you should return your guitar as soon as possible for a refund as it is defective) the luthier will adjust your action at the 12th fret space (the gap between the12th fret bar and the high E-string is measured). If the gap is too high it will be hard to play on your fingers and the strings may squeak when you slide up or down the neck. Should the gap be too low there will be buzzing when strumming hard and playing certain notes and chords. Guild Guitar suggests a gap of between .070 and .078 at the 12th fret bar and high E-string. The saddle will have to be removed from the bridge and either raised or lowered to achieve the proper action. The saddle can be shaved at the bottom or a shim can be added below the saddle. Sometimes the luthier may suggest that you replace your saddle, i.e. with a bone saddle or similar hard material. Generally, if the saddle has to be removed and/or replaced the luthier will want to replace your strings with new ones. Once the neck and action at the 12th fret is adjusted then the action at the 1st fret (gap between the 1st string and 1st fret bar across to the 6th string and 1st fret) is checked. This action is adjusted by filing the slots on the nut at the bottom of the head stock with special files to lower it as needed. Guild Guitar suggests .022 for the 6th string and .020 for the1st string at the first fret bar.
An excellent Luthier if you are in the South East near Charlotte, North Carolina is Mr. Ari Lehtela at the LA Guitar Factory. You can visit his web site at www.lehtelaguitarcraft.com. If you want a unique acoustic guitar or electric guitar Mr. Lehtela is the luthier to visit. For example, he has designed a special acoustic guitar with a floating bridge (like a violin) which allows him to optimize the adjustment to control the resonance of the top of the guitar. This is impossible on guitars once a bridge is fixed in place. His novel innovation is worth a trip to check out his guitars. His acoustic electric models with amazing pick-ups are another innovation he has introduced. And if all you want is to have your new guitar's action set-up Ari is someone you can trust to do it at a fair price. Also if you have ever wanted to build your own guitar Mr. Lehtela offers one on one instruction at his shop and offers group sessions on guitar building at another site.
Should you be in the North East, the check out the Luthier at Timeless Guitars in Parma, Ohio near Cleveland, Ohio. Mark is the luthier there and specializes in electric guitar rebuilds and can be relied upon to set-up your guitar to enhance its playability. If your guitar has issues you can trust mark to inform you as soon as he is aware of it.
In the North West, near Seattle Washington, a luthier turned into a sort of legend because of Tom Brookes's excellent book, Guitar: An American Life is worth seeking out. Luthier, Mr. Rick Davis operates Running Dogs Guitars (named for his dogs he enjoys) and you can visit his web site at www.vtguitars.com. If you want a custom built guitar or just need a proper setup Mr. Davis is worth the trip to see.
But if you are in the South West, a trip to Tucson, Arizona may be in order to see J. S. Cooper. Check out his web site at www.jscooperluthier.com. His web site gives full specifications used in one of his fine instruments.
There are also some forums that discuss favorite luthiers that may help you find one near where you live. But an excellent luthier, a good set-up, and some new strings and or a better nut and saddle can really help you to enjoy learning to play your new guitar.
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