Table of Contents
How We Inspect & Set Up Every Guitar Before It Leaves the Store
Buying a guitar should feel inspiring the moment you pick it up—not like a project you still have to fix. That’s why every guitar we sell goes through a hands-on inspection and a professional guitar setup before it ever reaches the sales floor or ships to a customer.
Here’s exactly how we inspect and set up every guitar—and why it matters to your tone, playability, and long-term enjoyment.
What a Professional Guitar Setup Means for the Player
A professional guitar setup goes beyond basic adjustments. It ensures that every part of the instrument is working together so the guitar feels comfortable, sounds balanced, and responds consistently to your playing style.
A properly executed professional guitar setup can improve:
Playability across the entire fretboard
Intonation accuracy for recording or live performance
Tuning stability, especially in the first few positions
Overall tone and dynamic response
Players often don’t realize how much effort they’re putting into fighting a poorly set up instrument. With a professional guitar setup, the guitar works with you instead of against you—making practice more enjoyable and performance more consistent.
Unboxing & Initial Inspection
When a new guitar arrives, the first thing we do is slow down and inspect it carefully.
We check:
Body, neck, and finish for shipping or factory issues
Neck straightness and fretboard condition
Hardware alignment, including tuners, bridge, and nut
Electronics function on electric and acoustic-electric guitars
If something isn’t right, the guitar doesn’t move forward until it is.
Fretboard & Fret Evaluation
Even brand-new guitars can have minor fret issues that affect playability.
We inspect for:
High or uneven frets
Sharp fret ends
Dry or untreated fretboards
Addressing these details early ensures smoother feel and better consistency up and down the neck.
Neck Relief & Truss Rod Adjustment
Proper neck relief is the foundation of a professional guitar setup.
We:
Measure relief under real string tension
Adjust the truss rod to optimal specifications
Ensure consistent feel across all positions
This step improves comfort and helps eliminate unnecessary fret buzz.
Action & Bridge Setup
Action should feel comfortable without sacrificing clarity.
We dial in:
String height at the nut and bridge
Saddle height on acoustics
Balance between clean notes and easy playability
Every adjustment is made with real-world playing in mind.
Nut Slot Check & Adjustment
The nut is one of the most overlooked parts of a setup.
We make sure:
Nut slots are cut to proper depth
Strings move smoothly without binding
Tuning stability is solid
A properly cut nut improves tuning accuracy and first-position feel.
Intonation & Electronics Check
Before any guitar leaves the store:
Intonation is set across the fretboard
Pickup heights are balanced for clarity and output
Pots, switches, and jacks are tested
No crackles. No surprises.
Final Play Test
Every guitar is played before it’s approved.
We listen for:
Dead spots
Choking notes
Unwanted buzz
Overall feel and response
If it doesn’t feel right, it goes back on the bench.
Why This Matters
Many guitars are sold straight from the box, which often means:
Higher action than necessary
Inconsistent fret feel
Poor intonation
Tuning frustration
Our goal is simple: every guitar should feel inspiring the first time you play it.
Whether you buy in-store or online, your guitar leaves fully inspected, professionally set up, and ready to play immediately.
Want It Dialed In Even Further?
Every player is different. If you want ultra-low action, alternate tunings, string gauge changes, or a custom setup tailored to your playing style, we’re happy to take it further.
The Bottom Line
A great guitar deserves a great setup.
And a great setup makes every guitar better.
That’s how we do it—every single time.
