Setups

A good setup is the difference between an average guitar and a great guitar, and I am passionate about making great-playing guitars. I offer 2 levels of setups:

A Premium Setup is what you want for the ultimate in playability.  In addition to the other setup tasks, the frets are leveled to perfection, recrowned, and polished in 2 stages.  The result is a guitar that plays like it just came from the custom shop.

Premium Setup

A Standard Setup is a tune-up of the instrument to check that everything is adjusted as it should be.  It's the first step in achieving great playability and making your guitar a reliable performer. The truss rod, action, and intonation are adjusted. Frets, fretboard and electronics are cleaned. All the screws, nuts and bolts are checked. The instrument is inspected for any problems that need to be addressed.

Standard Setup

Q: How often should I get my guitar set up?

A: It's difficult to put a time frame on an answer like this.  The answer is "when it's not playing right." The most noticeable change over time is the relief in the neck, which can change due to changes in temperature, humidity, string gauges, or tuning.  The more playing time you put on a guitar, the faster the frets will wear, the more vibration will work screws loose, and the more dirt will get in your electronics.

*Note that strings are not included in setup prices. Ernie Ball electric strings and Martin SP acoustic strings are stocked in a variety of gauges.