Advice on Yahama SA-500 - worth paying to get set up or tips for trying myself?

[Stevie G]

Hi guys

I've got a Yamaha SA-500 semi acoustic guitar;
http://i25.tinypic.com/55kv8l.jpg

I've had it a few years and bought it online for a decent price, but I had a play with the settings ages ago and it's never sounded right since!

Is it worth paying to get a £200 guitar set up properly, and if so where's the best place to get it done (around East/North East London area), and how much should I pay?

Alternatively, are there any sites that would help me to set it up myself, or should I just pay the premium to a proffessional?!

Cheers!

[DeadYankee]

£200!!!!!!!!!!

Phone Peter Cook's in Hanwell and ask how much they charge for a set up and that should be your benchmark price

[Stevie G]

I meant the guitar cost £200 (or rather arouond £230!) to buy, I'm not expecting to pay that to get it set up.... I hope!

Good idea for a price check... I bought a nice US Strat from them last year and thought they were really helpful. Just a shame they're too far away to pop it in and collect it! I'm thinking of one of the ones in central London, but I guess you can pay over the odds down there if you're not careful!

[DeadYankee]

Sorry I misread!

Hanwell isn't far. I go there for guitar stuff from Cardiff so you should be able to get across London.

To be honest, it is a simple guitar. Check out some websites for set up guides. You'll need some really basic stuff like a precision ruler and some screwdrivers but it isn't impossible. It is only Trems which make things difficult.

Example: http://www.projectguitar.com/tut/tutorial1.htm

[Stevie G]

Ah ok. Re websites, do know of any, or what's best to search on? When I google things like 'setting up a semi-acoustic guitar' or setting up a yamaha sa500' etc I get mostly links to shops and free ads!

When you say a precision ruler, where best for those? Presumably that's to guage the correct distance between the frets and strings? I've got screwdrivers, etc. I'm tempted to give it a go myself if I can find enough to read up on, as I can still take it in if I make it even worse! :D

[DeadYankee]

I wouldn't worry too much about the type of guitar. Check the fender site for a good idea of the equipment you need and a set up guide. Just ignore the trem bits. You only need a ruler to check distance between pickups and strings etc. I've never really used a ruler as I just fiddle until it sounds ok to me.

You are right - you can't do major damage unless you really start messing with the neck. I'd just put new strings on it, set the string height so you get no buzzing and check/fix intonation.

http://www.fender.com/support/other_fender_guitars.php

[Stevie G]

I phoned Sound Control in TCR and they recommended Andy Gibson on Denmark Street so I've taken it in to him, so hopefully it'll come back sounding much better.

I also have a Strat and a Tele and I'd like to look more into knowing how to set up the pickups and strings properly myself, so I think I'll still get a ruler and guages and read up on setting them up, so cheers for the link. ;)