Tim Plains Posted June 29, 2008 Share Posted June 29, 2008 Don't think we've covered this one... Out of curiosity, how many of you guys do the work on your guitars? Do you have faith in your abilities, or do you leave them in the hands of a professional? I'm talking about anything, from replacing the strings, neck adjustments, intonation adjustments, pup swapping...heck, even fretwork, replacing the nut, bindings & refinishes. The only work I've done to mine are basic set-ups (strings, intonation, TR adjustments)...and once, I stripped the R9 down to polish it up. That was fun & scary at the same time 'cause it's an expensive toy to screw up! In the near future, I'm going to replace the BFG's BB3 with a single coil. I'd rather not pay somebody to do it...but at the same time, I don't want to practice/experiment on any of my Gibbies. I have "The Guitar Player's Repair Guide" and pre-ordered Haynes' Les Paul Manual. So, I should be ready for anything...right? Right! So, my solution...I bought a Epi LP Jr. the other day as a project/learning guitar. I'm gonna rip that sucker apart, put it back together and hope it works......and then do it all over again. It's black...eventually, I'll refinish it just for fun, replace the frets and nut. What about you guys? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gibson CS Posted June 29, 2008 Share Posted June 29, 2008 I'm going to replace the BFG's BB3 with a single coil. So it's gonna have 2 single coils? I tried to replace the strings and set the action, the result was lots of fret-buzz on badly put on strings. So I got it set up, much better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FreedomStain Posted June 29, 2008 Share Posted June 29, 2008 Go for it Tim! That's how I did it... only with a MX Strat. Hopefully you'll be better than me because I go to techs when I need something done right. If you find a tool for tightening the washer-like, screw in piece that keeps the toggle and switch cover in place (that is not pliers) please share. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeoConMan Posted June 29, 2008 Share Posted June 29, 2008 Do you have faith in your abilities' date=' or do you leave them in the hands of a professional? basic set-ups (strings, intonation, TR adjustments) I'd rather not pay somebody to do it...but at the same time, I don't want to practice/experiment on any of my Gibbies. So, my solution...I bought a Epi LP Jr. the other day as a project/learning guitar. I'm gonna rip that sucker apart, put it back together and hope it works......and then do it all over again. [/quote'] EXACTLY what I did! Depends on how busy I am. I know one guy I would trust with my life, he built guitars in high school and shortly thereafter and gigged for years. He will tackle anything he has time for or sends me to a couple full-time luthiers for bigger stuff. I try to do all my minor set up stuff, but I've paid my guy to simply restring and clean up a couple of my guitars because I was just too busy. I did some Epi experimentation, and it ALWAYS turned into more than I initially bargained for - but I learned plenty! Did repairs on several Epis and other cheaper guitars by Brand F for coworkers and their kids. Replaced pots, switches and several pickups - trying to make a silk purse from a sow's ear, so to speak... With good electronics, an Epi can be a serious rock n roll machine! (Still not a Gibson though....) :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gibson CS Posted June 29, 2008 Share Posted June 29, 2008 one time i tried to change the Pups on my les paul, rewired everything excatly how the schematic said to do it, the result hum hiss sqeak squeal fuzz and bad juju so electrical work i have no confidence in but i can set up a guitar like no one else =D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlekenny Posted June 29, 2008 Share Posted June 29, 2008 Alls i've ever really done is change the strings and adjust the bridge a little bit (it's a floyd rose ) Ive never had it set up or adjusted the neck but I really dont think I need too. I might replace some of the hardware later because it's started stripping though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deepblue Posted June 29, 2008 Share Posted June 29, 2008 I dont touch her....except for strings and polish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thundergod Posted June 30, 2008 Share Posted June 30, 2008 I usually do it all by myself even though I happen to have a very good friend that is one of the most recognized luthiers/guitar techs over here... I feel kind of bad 'cause some of his clients have started comming to me for truss rod adjustments and general setup, and some for pickup/electronics upgrade or just to ask what I think about him doing this or that mod to their guitars before giving him the guitar to work on. I guess a lot of people are afraid of doing their guitars something they will not be able to undo... I for one, preffer to know it was me that f_cked up instead of having paid a guy to f_ck my gear up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveinspain Posted June 30, 2008 Share Posted June 30, 2008 I change strings, adjust bridge and stop bar hight and the intonation... If I ever had to do fret work, nut or truss rod I'd have a tech do it... I might tackle some electronics work but I can just see myself leaving a nice scratch or two behind or leaving a nice burn mark somewhere with the soldering iron... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suuny Posted June 30, 2008 Share Posted June 30, 2008 I agree with Thundergod ! I also have a friend who is very proficient with guitar ,especially the brand of Gibson!I think guitar is a very good instrument .when we're unhappy,we can use it to make our mood better.Everybody all should have a try! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Out_Of_Control Posted June 30, 2008 Share Posted June 30, 2008 My personal opinion is that everyone should learn how to do the basics like string changes, bridge height, and truss rod adjustments. Leave the more complicated stuff to a professional, but remember, even professionals make mistakes. Do you really want a hot soldering iron placed against your guitar's finish? I guess it all comes down to how much money you're willing to spend. I grew up poor so I tend to do things myself when I can. But if money is not an issue, then I guess it's ok to have someone else do all the work. Ultimately, your Tone and the guitar's sound depend on the setup so if you want to alter the tone a bit you would need to be able to do some basic adjustments. Frets.com is a great resource for learning how to things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfpup Posted June 30, 2008 Share Posted June 30, 2008 I do it all myself, because I know what I like and I am cheap... action (including truss rod if need be), intonation, string height (and bridge radius on Fenders), wiring, shielding, etc. I swapped the pups in my '07 Classic the first week I had it. No problems. I haven't done any real fret work but if I one of my guitars needed it done, I'd probably buy a file and a leveler from Stewart MacDonald and do it myself. I didn't learn on a great Gibson though. I took apart some cheapies first. I agree you probably should not learn to do setups on your R9, and maybe not even your Epi. Pick up a pawnshop special to practice on. Take it apart and have some fun. You'd be amazed how much you learn that way, and you'll feel a lot more comfortable working on your good wood. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoubleSixx Posted June 30, 2008 Share Posted June 30, 2008 Go for it Tim! That's how I did it... only with a MX Strat. Hopefully you'll be better than me because I go to techs when I need something done right. If you find a tool for tightening the washer-like' date=' screw in piece that keeps the toggle and switch cover in place (that is not pliers) please share.[/quote'] Here's the tool you need, yeah it's expensive but worth if you want to do the job right. http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Special_tools_for:_Electronics/Toggle_Switch_Wrench.html Tim, getting the Epi was a good choice. You can learn and practice safely. I'm the same way, I need to know how things work, and I know most techs won't care much or respect some one else's property. The majority of adjustments are easy to do, sometimes you just need to get over the fear of making a mistake. Mistakes can be made by anyone even a seasoned tech. Take you time and don't rush. I think everyone should know how to do their own setup and adjustments. Similarly in knowing how to change a tire in case you get a flat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rybass Posted June 30, 2008 Share Posted June 30, 2008 A decent quality experimenting guitar is crucial. I bought an Ibanez from goodwill when I first started playing for $20 and tore it apart and put it back together again. Then tore it apart again and went to the local luthiers and purchased some junk pickups, pickguard material, pots, wires, switches, etc. and started experimenting. I frankenf#@ked that guitar to hell but I learned how to do almost everything. I did break the truss rod on it b/c I didn't have the ability to strain relief the neck to adjust it so I think it stripped out. Now the only work I don't attempt myself is most fret work, major truss adjustment, finishing and major restoration. I don't trust many with my gear so I had to learn for myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichCI Posted June 30, 2008 Share Posted June 30, 2008 I'll do minor tweaks like action and intonation but I don't mess with truss rods and I'm really sloppy with a soldering iron. Additionally, I don't have a lot of free time and don't get much pleasure out of adjusting guitars so I'd rather drop them off to a pro and have them to the work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeoConMan Posted June 30, 2008 Share Posted June 30, 2008 Something to be said for picking your guitar up, handing the guy $40, and it's perfect... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mash94 Posted June 30, 2008 Share Posted June 30, 2008 So' date=' my solution...I bought a Epi LP Jr. the other day as a project/learning guitar. I'm gonna rip that sucker apart, put it back together and hope it works......and then do it all over again. It's black...eventually, I'll refinish it just for fun, replace the frets and nut. [/quote'] Thats what I plan on doing with my squier once I get my Lester. I pretty much do everything that needs to be done since my guitar is $150....... haven't changed the pickups yet though. I might at a later time. Pretty much just set ups Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porschemunkey Posted June 30, 2008 Share Posted June 30, 2008 I've got 20 years experience under my belt now building my own guitars. I built a through-neck guitar with no glue... I've built and sold Fender replicas made to my own specs out of quality, US-made parts. I've leveled and dressed frets, hand-rolled fretboard edges, swapped pickups, did funky custom wiring, installed EMG pickups, etc. I don't do bindings or refinishing as I don't have the facility to do it cleanly. I've got a set of Gibson Super Ceramic pickups in a Steinberger Spirit GT-Pro which are destined to be covered with new Gibson nickel-finished pickup covers and installed in my new 2008 LP Standard just as soon as I get home from vacation. :^) Can't wait to do it. I don't bother with refinished because (A) most guitars are now finished in baked polyurethane enamel finished which are damn near impossible to remove and (B) a new body is cheaper! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RONNIESIZE Posted June 30, 2008 Share Posted June 30, 2008 i'm too scared of messing up my paul, i always have a professional do the work for me! i dont what i'll do if i accidentally cause a damage to my Paul! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zaphod B Posted June 30, 2008 Share Posted June 30, 2008 I do my own string replacement, TR adjustment, intonation, bridge height adjustment, and pickup height adjustment. I've also done some easy stuff like changing out bridges and installing pickguards. I'd be up to changing pickups, pots, etc., even though I haven't had the need. Anything that involves actual luthery is going to a luthier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elessar820 Posted June 30, 2008 Share Posted June 30, 2008 I do all my own adjustments and electronics. I think it makes the guitar more personal. I go by feel mostly, I never really measure anything, but I use a straight edge to check if my neck is straight. I've put push/pulls and mini switches in most of the guitars I've had and usually swapped the pickups. The only time I've ever had a problem wiring a guitar was with my BFG. I guess I should have just left it alone, huh? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AXE® Posted June 30, 2008 Share Posted June 30, 2008 I try to do most everything myself , if I muck it up I go back to square one and start over , as far as set up thats all me someone else doesn't know what I want [exactly] what I want so I'll spin the the thingys and doo dads to my liking . Like I tried the pu'p cover install . Hey if that bridge cover would have fit right It'd be a done deal . And it looked so damn good too ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfpup Posted June 30, 2008 Share Posted June 30, 2008 Something to be said for picking your guitar up' date=' handing the guy $40, and it's perfect...[/quote'] Very true. Something to be said for doing it yourself and spending the $40 on beer too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeadCase Posted June 30, 2008 Share Posted June 30, 2008 Something to be said for picking your guitar up, handing the guy $40, and it's perfect... Paid the guy "$40", took it home and it was a bag of s#*t. That's when I decided I'd better learn to do this stuff myself. I'll do just about any set up work & electronics. I WON'T do frets, nut replacement or finish work. (Too much skill & experience involved) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Plains Posted June 30, 2008 Author Share Posted June 30, 2008 Investing $40 into a guitar maintenance book can go a long way.... If you have just one guitar and want it set up once a year, than it's no big deal...just $40. But for guys with several guitars, it can quickly add up. I have six Gibbys, with a seventh coming soon. I'm paying $280 every year on easy maintenance...it's just money wasted. $280 = money wasted...this coming from a guy that spent nearly 20k on Gibson guitars this past year alone...lol! Frets, nut replacement or finish work, I agree, that should be left to the pros, but I bought this Epi Jr. for that very reason...experimentation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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