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Madman_Greg

Joined: 07/12/06
Posts: 705
Loc: The back of beyond

what time of year to get an acoustic set up
#950374 - 31/10/11 12:14 AM

I realise we do not have the extremes of humidity in the UK that they have in other parts of the world. But saying that the last few winters have been a bit dry.

I bought my self a decent acoustic a while back, and its been played in and I want it to have it's first setup appointment.

So my question is what time of year is preferred, should I wait until after the winter for example. Will it make any difference ?

Thanks in advance for any replies

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Madman_Greg

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zenguitar
active member

Joined: 05/12/02
Posts: 7596
Loc: Devon

Re: what time of year to get an acoustic set up new

[Re: Madman_Greg]
#950375 - 31/10/11 12:22 AM

On an acoustic especially it can make a difference. As the humidity drops the woods dry out and shrink slightly. The net result of this is that the top of the guitar goes a little flatter and the action lowers.

However, we are talking fractions here. So for the majority of players it really doesn't make a material difference. But if you absolutely INSIST on the lowest possible action then your tame tech will be able to take that into account. And if you really do want the lowest possible action and your guitar is sensitive to changes in humidity, it is worth getting two saddles made. A high one for dry conditions and a fractionally lower one for more humid weather.

But with that caveat, it really doesn't make a great deal of difference.

Andy

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When the going gets weird, the Weird turn Pro.

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Madman_Greg

Joined: 07/12/06
Posts: 705
Loc: The back of beyond

Re: what time of year to get an acoustic set up new

[Re: zenguitar]
#950376 - 31/10/11 12:29 AM

Andy thanks

I have quite a heavy right hand and actually like to feel a bit of fight back in a guitar action wise, helps with the tone as well. If that make sense.

So I do not do a low action.

So basically you are saying any time is fine for the fact I do not want a low action

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Madman_Greg

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Here be Dragons

Joined: 23/06/08
Posts: 3888

Re: what time of year to get an acoustic set up new

[Re: Madman_Greg]
#950488 - 31/10/11 03:07 PM

what andy said is pretty much on the ball, but if someone insisted on an answer, i'd say spring or autumn....

basically, conditions are broadly similar across those two seasons... so the instrument is "right" 50% of the year....

and less "wrong" the other 50% given that the conditions are effectively a mid point average between summer and winter .

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zenguitar
active member

Joined: 05/12/02
Posts: 7596
Loc: Devon

Re: what time of year to get an acoustic set up new

[Re: Madman_Greg]
#950531 - 31/10/11 06:10 PM

That's pretty much it Greg. And for a pragmatic approach ODBBQL is bang on the money.

Andy

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When the going gets weird, the Weird turn Pro.

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Mister Natural

Joined: 29/01/09
Posts: 23
Loc: Michigan

Re: what time of year to get an acoustic set up new

[Re: Madman_Greg]
#953866 - 17/11/11 06:44 AM

A good tech who has quality experience, who takes the time to understand your preferences, who is open to listening to your needs is far more important than the season in which he makes the adjustment

I'm troubled by so many guys who insist on doing their own set-ups . . .

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