Post by tonybiker on Jun 21, 2009 10:55:44 GMT
I know a lot of players here will set up their own guitars, so this post won't be that helpful. But then again it may just make you think.
I have seen a number of members asking the question about what needs to be done, for example when changing the string gauge.
I have always stayed well clear of this sort of 'home work' and always prefered leaving it to experts. I have no desire to risk damage or end up with a guitar that doesn't play well. So my advice has been to leave it to someone who knows what their doing. It also helps your confidence when a good guitar luthier tells you its in fine and dandy condition.
With the huge interest in Barry's suggested Newtone strings I decided, like many did, to try them out on my back up HM Squire , which after years of ownership was in a pretty rough playing state. I have been using 10's gauge for years.
So, with help from you guys on a few problem I had with the saddle screws when muting, and a list of issues I tried to find a Luthier that would do the work. No easy! Who the hell can you trust?
My list for my set up is as follows:
1. Restring from 10's to Barry's Newtone 11's.
2. Sort out the pick up switch which on occasions lost half its volume.
3. Sort out the bridge saddles to aid muting.
4. Ensure the trem floated.
After a few calls to mates a guy called Matt Ryan was suggested who is based in Rochdale near Manchester. I found his web site and sure enough I got a reply from Matt the following day and arrangements made to drop the strat off plus my cousin Rob's Peavey bass, Rob saying that nothing was wrong with it because he had always set it up himself, but he would have a set up done anyway. Cost was to be £40 for each one.
I had no intention of posting them off - a service that Matt Ryan does provide, I dropped them off myself. It was clear that the guy had a serious business going after looking at his workshop. He carefully played each guitar and made his notes.
Yesterday after a week with Matt Ryan I picked them both back up.
What surprised me at first was the hand written report given to me for both guitars including the string heights before and after. He then took me through what had been done which included to my surprise the trem arm that was no longer flopping about and bent, but he had also replaced the missing spring. So for the first time in years the trem arm remains exactly where I want it.
The trem had been cleaned of years of muck, neck and pick up heights sorted and the guitar polished and it played like a dream. Also sorted was the pick up switch. Neck adjusted and the trem was floating.
And all for £40.00.
The other big surprise was when I returned home with my cousins bass. 3 hours later I had to ask my cousin to go home, he wouln't put the bass down saying it was now playing better than his Fender P Bass.
Now to the point of this post. I don't normally recommend anyone. It has a habit of biting you on the bum later. However, if your looking for someone who knows exactly how to get your strat playing as well as it should do then I give this guy 5 stars. The personal service was as good as it gets. He returns emails and phone calls (a big plus!) He not only did exactly what i wanted but went that extra mile by improving the guitar which I hadn't noted. And he has set up and understands the music we all play.
So if anyone needs a Luthier then you can contact Matt Ryan via this web site. guitarrepairer.com/contact.html
And I will finish by saying its the best £40 I have ever invested.
I have seen a number of members asking the question about what needs to be done, for example when changing the string gauge.
I have always stayed well clear of this sort of 'home work' and always prefered leaving it to experts. I have no desire to risk damage or end up with a guitar that doesn't play well. So my advice has been to leave it to someone who knows what their doing. It also helps your confidence when a good guitar luthier tells you its in fine and dandy condition.
With the huge interest in Barry's suggested Newtone strings I decided, like many did, to try them out on my back up HM Squire , which after years of ownership was in a pretty rough playing state. I have been using 10's gauge for years.
So, with help from you guys on a few problem I had with the saddle screws when muting, and a list of issues I tried to find a Luthier that would do the work. No easy! Who the hell can you trust?
My list for my set up is as follows:
1. Restring from 10's to Barry's Newtone 11's.
2. Sort out the pick up switch which on occasions lost half its volume.
3. Sort out the bridge saddles to aid muting.
4. Ensure the trem floated.
After a few calls to mates a guy called Matt Ryan was suggested who is based in Rochdale near Manchester. I found his web site and sure enough I got a reply from Matt the following day and arrangements made to drop the strat off plus my cousin Rob's Peavey bass, Rob saying that nothing was wrong with it because he had always set it up himself, but he would have a set up done anyway. Cost was to be £40 for each one.
I had no intention of posting them off - a service that Matt Ryan does provide, I dropped them off myself. It was clear that the guy had a serious business going after looking at his workshop. He carefully played each guitar and made his notes.
Yesterday after a week with Matt Ryan I picked them both back up.
What surprised me at first was the hand written report given to me for both guitars including the string heights before and after. He then took me through what had been done which included to my surprise the trem arm that was no longer flopping about and bent, but he had also replaced the missing spring. So for the first time in years the trem arm remains exactly where I want it.
The trem had been cleaned of years of muck, neck and pick up heights sorted and the guitar polished and it played like a dream. Also sorted was the pick up switch. Neck adjusted and the trem was floating.
And all for £40.00.
The other big surprise was when I returned home with my cousins bass. 3 hours later I had to ask my cousin to go home, he wouln't put the bass down saying it was now playing better than his Fender P Bass.
Now to the point of this post. I don't normally recommend anyone. It has a habit of biting you on the bum later. However, if your looking for someone who knows exactly how to get your strat playing as well as it should do then I give this guy 5 stars. The personal service was as good as it gets. He returns emails and phone calls (a big plus!) He not only did exactly what i wanted but went that extra mile by improving the guitar which I hadn't noted. And he has set up and understands the music we all play.
So if anyone needs a Luthier then you can contact Matt Ryan via this web site. guitarrepairer.com/contact.html
And I will finish by saying its the best £40 I have ever invested.
