Maintenance

All precision instruments will require some regular maintenance. Guitars/basses are no exception. Because these are mostly made from wood instruments (which move slightly when subjected to changes in temperature and humidity), small adjustments will need to be made throughout the lifespan of the instrument to keep it playing nicely. ALL guitars – from entry level to profession, custom models will need adjustments. It’s recommended to regularly set up your guitars/bass - very much like your car needing a regular service. Guitars/basses are designed to be fully adjustable, so most of the maintenance can be done at home with just a few simple tools (usually a set of Allen keys and screwdrivers should do the trick for most tasks). At Muccio Brothers, we are always open to teaching musicians (especially beginners and those eager to learn) what they can do on their own.

An experienced technician will diagnose and fix problems, and, will educate you on how to identify and/or prevent future issues.

When should I get my guitar setup?

Here are a few guidelines to follow with regards to when you should get a guitar setup.

• If you’ve gone a year without a guitar setup.

• If you’ve just purchased a new guitar and need it set up to your taste ie. heavier strings perhaps?

• You’ve bought a second hand guitar and don’t know when it last had a setup.

• You’re struggling to play it because the strings are too high up from the fretboard.

• Some notes buzz or hardly give any sound at all.

• The intonation is out (two of the same note separated by an octave on the same string sound out of tune). You can check this by tuning the guitars open string and fretted at the 12th fret. If they don’t match up, the intonation may be wrong.

• There’s visible damage.

• The nut or frets have sharp edges that make the guitar uncomfortable to play.

• The guitar doesn’t stay in tune.

• You consistently break strings in the same place. For example: the string often breaks nearest the bridge or the nut.