elRayo Guitarworks Stage Ready Setup

 

Andy Greenberg, co-owner
and primary luthier at elRayo Guitarworks

 

The most important service that a guitarist or bassist needs is a good instrument setup. Your instrument will play easier, be in tune better, and work just as it is supposed to. Our 7 point standard setup includes the following work:

1. adjust the action (the distance from the strings to the fretboard): Great action allows for easier playing with no buzzes or extraneous noises. This involves a careful balance between nut height, truss rod adjustment, and bridge height.

2. adjust intonation: properly adjusted intonation allows the guitar to be in tune with itself up and down the neck. If your guitar or bass seems to be in tune in one area of the neck, but not another, the intonation needs to be adjusted.

3. check electronics: for many guitars and basses, the internal wiring can contain less than ideal components, faulty switches, or worn jacks. We replace any switches, jacks, and potentiometers to the proper values. Wiring is cleanly laid out, no "rats nests" inside your guitar.

4. Pickup height adjustment: the proper pickup height allows for the most balanced tone between all settings, with just the right amount of output.

5. Completey cleaning: we clean the guitar from top to bottom, making the guitar look like it just came from the factory. We remove corrosion from metal parts where possible. Fretboards are cleaned of any dirt and residue, and frets are cleaned of any corrosion or tarnish.

6. Restringing: using your preference of string brand and gauge, all of the adjustments listed above are made relative to your string choice.

7. Final inspection: most of all it has to play great. We've worked on some of the best guitars in San Diego, and will get your guitar to this same high standard.

If you have never had setup work performed professionally, come down so you can see, hear, and feel the difference. For those with valuable vintage and custom instruments, we will consult with you before replacing any hardware or electronics. In addition, if at anytime we notice any additional work that should be performed (bad pickups, refretting), we will contact you with options that are sure to fit your budget and the sound in your head.

For more information, bring by your favorite guitar or bass and see what we can do for you. You can also email us.