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You are here: Home / Guitar Setup / The Importance of a Good Setup, Part Three

The Importance of a Good Setup, Part Three

In the first two parts of this article, we have looked at basic setup services, which include setting the neck relief and string action, as well as new string installation and other basic adjustments.

We have also discussed some improvements and repairs that can greatly increase the tone and playability of your guitar, such as installing a new bone nut and compensated saddle. I explained the importance of checking the bridge plate. In this final segment, I will explain fret maintenance services.

The frets on your guitar are an integral part of how it plays and sounds. In order for a guitar to perform at its best, the frets need to be level. A high fret is a common source of buzzing. In addition to being level with each other, the fret tops should be crowned so that the strings contact just the center of the fret during play. Frets wear as we play the guitar and eventually they need to be re-leveled, crowned, and polished. This service (known as a fret dressing) needs to be undertaken by an experienced luthier who has the correct tools; a botched fret leveling is worse than a poor setup and may require a complete fret replacement job to restore the guitar to playable condition. However, doing a fret dress is a routine service for a trained and skilled luthier and it can make a dramatic difference in how a guitar plays. It is like getting a tune-up for your car; not something you do as frequently as changing the oil but is important maintenance that improves performance when it needs to be done.

Occasionally some frets on a guitar (or all of them) will need to be replaced. This happens when there is not enough of the original fret material remaining to allow them to be leveled and polished. This may be due to a long life of use, multiple fret dress jobs over the years, or a do-it-yourself fret repair gone wrong. A qualified luthier should perform a refret job, which will include removing the old frets without damaging the fretboard. This is followed by leveling the board and installing, leveling, crowning, and polishing the new frets.

High tongue frets require special mention here. The vast majority of electric guitars that come through my shop have a high tongue, the part of the fretboard that extends over or into the guitar body. This is especially true of guitars with a bolt-on neck. The high tongue is caused by the nature of electric guitar construction, moisture in the exposed end grain on a bolt-on neck, and the pull of the strings on the neck-to-body joint.

Even brand new electrics right off the store shelf typically have this problem, and is why most electrics buzz in the upper register. The best solution for a high tongue is for a luthier to re-fret the guitar, correcting the high area of the fretboard before installing the new frets. A less expensive alternative is to have a fret level performed, with special attention focused on lowering the tongue frets. Many electric owners are surprised to learn that having a setup done won’t necessarily cure a buzzing problem; a high tongue is the problem. See my YouTube video on this topic for more information.

There are many other advanced repairs that a guitar may need, such as a complete neck reset to correct improper neck-to-body angle, bridge re-glues and replacements, etc. Each guitar needs to be evaluated by a skilled luthier who can tell you what the instrument needs in order to play at its best. At Dogwood Guitars I offer a free, no-obligation assessment of your guitar. Then you and I can discuss the needs and options that best suit you and your budget, as well as what is appropriate for the value of your guitar.

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Customer Testimonials: A. B. Manson Acoustic

"I recently had major work done by Greg Maxwell on my very expensive and treasured old guitar.  Boy, am I glad that I found Greg, because I do not think any other luthier would have given the time and effort  this project required.  My guitar needed … [Read More...]

Customer Testimonial: Vintage Fender Jazz Bass

"Greg you are the man! This 1968 Jazz bass plays like butter. Greg has to be the premier luthier in Ohio, I wouldn't go anywhere else. I use to go to Columbus but not any more. Unlike going to the big city, Greg is most personable. And his shop is … [Read More...]

Customer Testimonial: Dogwood Monarch

"I loved my handcrafted Yamaha LX5 until I played my brother's Larrivee. So I bought a Larrivee. The Dogwood acoustic makes my Larrivee sound like my old Yamaha. The Dogwood is superior to my Larrivee D-03R in every way - tone, action - even looks. I … [Read More...]

Blog: Jumbo Neck Set

It is always exciting to arrive at neck setting day when working on a new build. Several weeks of careful work precede setting the neck: Rosette making; bending and boxing; bindings and purflings; inlay work; voicing and tuning; all separate skills … [Read More...]

Legacy Benchworks Furniture

Greg owned his own custom furniture making shop from 1983 through 1996. The company was called Legacy Benchworks, and most of the work involved high end one-off custom furniture, as well as the more standard cabinetry such as kitchen cabinets and … [Read More...]

Customer Testimonials: Martin Fret Work

"I took my Martin D-28 to Dogwood guitars to get it worked on, It was in pretty bad shape when I bought it used. Someone had tried to install frets on their own and it was buzzing and the action was hard to play. I called Greg and he said to stop by … [Read More...]

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Voicing and Tap Tuning of Acoustic Guitars

Voicing and tuning are important elements of great tone. A great guitar has great tone, great playability, and great appearance, in that order. Fancy wood, a high gloss finish, and lots of Abalone inlay are visually beautiful but have … [Read More...]

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