Once you have purchased a guitar, you need to set it up correctly before you can start using it. Usually, you will need to book an appointment or drop in at a guitar center to have a technician set up your guitar.
Start by finding Guitar Center in your city or ask your guitar friends for referrals.
Once you have settled on Guitar Center, you should find out how much it costs to set up a guitar. This will help you budget and know how much to set aside for a full setup as well as routine guitar maintenance.
Guitar Center Setup Cost
When you make an appointment at Guitar Center for a setup, you should have at least $50 for a basic setup.
The cost might be higher depending on the level of setup you want, the type of guitar you have, and if you purchase new hardware for the setup. The cost might go as high as $80 or even $100.
What Guitar Set Up Services Do They Have at the Guitar Center?
Guitar setup may be grouped into different levels, each with different costs depending on the amount of work involved.
The guitar center offers the following services:
Basic Guitar Setup
This involves standard restringing. If you want a simple restringing, it can set you back about $25. Some of the basic services may include:
- Removal of old guitar strings
- Cleaning the guitar
- Installation of new guitar strings
The Signature Set Up
If you had done a standard restring, the Signature Setup is an ideal package for your guitar. This service is more detailed and more expensive than the basic one.
It costs at least $60 to do a signature setup for your guitar. The setup includes these services for the guitar:
- 22-point checklist inspection
- Cleaning the guitar
- Polishing
- Restringing
- Also includes a new set of strings
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Platinum Set Up
This is the most detailed service offered at the guitar center for guitar setup. It is also more costly than the basic and standard setup. The platinum setup costs at least $100 for the service. The fee could go up depending on the time and resources spent doing the setup.
The platinum setup includes:
- Guitar hardware repair including neck and body
- Guitar cleaning
- Guitar polishing
- Waxing
- Includes all services in the standard setup
- This package gives your guitar a fresh touch and makes it feel and look as good as new.
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What to Expect From a Full Guitar Set Up at the Guitar Center
If it’s your first time visiting Guitar Center for a guitar setup, you should know beforehand what to expect. This is what you should expect:
Visual examination
The guitar setup specialist will fully examine the guitar visually and check for any issues. They should examine the fretboard, screws, scratches, and general guitar condition in appearance.
Strings Removal
It is one of the initial things a guitar specialist does. The old guitar strings are removed to enhance the other guitar setup routines. It is hard to do other guitar setups when the strings are attached to the guitar.
See also: Acoustic guitar string gauge for beginners
Guitar adjustments
There are a few important guitar adjustments done to ensure that the guitar is in perfect shape these are:
Truss Rod adjustment – this is done to ensure the guitar neck is straight. The guitar neck should be straight to avoid fret buzz and ensure that it prevents cracks on the guitar neck due to tension.
Bridge adjustment – a bridge adjustment is done to ensure that your guitar bridge is parallel to its body.
Guitar Cleaning
This is done after making the needed adjustments. A guitar setup is not complete without a good cleaning. The guitar specialist should clean the fretboard and apply oil to it to maintain a clean guitar look.
Restringing
We removed the strings to get out of the way of the guitar setup. The last thing to expect from a guitar setup is restringing. The guitar needs a fresh set of strings which you can buy separately or at the guitar center.
See also: Best budget bass guitars
Conclusion
It costs $50 to get a guitar set up at Guitar Center. However, this depends on the level of service you need, and the type of guitar. There are 3 standards of guitar setup services offered at the guitar center for different budgets.
When going to Guitar Center, especially if it’s your first time, you need to know what to expect from the setup to avoid confusion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What encompasses a Guitar Center setup?
A Guitar Center setup is a meticulously detailed service that addresses every crucial aspect of maintaining your beloved guitar. In essence, this special care service ensures that your guitar is primed to deliver on its performance potential. The setup begins with a rigorous cleaning process that ensures that every inch of your precious instrument shines just as it should. After cleaning comes the crucial task of adjusting the truss rod, which is key to maintaining the balance and harmony of your guitar. Then, guitar is restrung, making sure that each string is perfectly placed and tensioned to create that harmonious sound you cherish. Fine tuning follows the restringing, ensuring that your guitar is ready to play immediately. Lastly, your guitar is polished to a brilliant shine, as beautiful to look at as it is to play. All these services combined mean that your guitar is not just well-maintained, but is also at its finest possible playing condition. Overall, the Guitar Center setup is aimed at polishing, adjusting, and tuning your guitar in a way that it not only sounds better but also is easier to play.
What does Guitar Center typically charge for a guitar setup?
While costs can vary somewhat, you can generally expect to pay in the range of $50 to $75 for a guitar setup at Guitar Center. This investment in your instrument is often seen as entirely worth it, given the positive influence the professional setup can have on both the guitar’s performance and its longevity. Occasionally, Guitar Center runs a special promotion, dubbed the ‘free Guitar Setup day’, during which you can avail this comprehensive suite of services for your guitar at no extra cost. This promotional event is a fantastic opportunity to give your guitar a professional check-up and tune-up without having to spend a dime.So, while regular pricing at the Guitar Center for a guitar setup ranges from $50 to $75, keep your eyes peeled for their occasional promotions that offer this service for free.
How much does the platinum setup at Guitar Center cost?
If you’re looking for a more thorough and extensive care service for your guitar, you might want to consider the Platinum Setup at Guitar Center. This service runs anywhere from $100 to $200 and involves what could best be described as a full spa treatment for your guitar. After a thorough cleaning and maintenance session that costs between $50 and $100, usually new strings are introduced. The gauges of the new strings can have a significant influence on the playability and sound of your guitar, which is why it makes sense to replace them during the platinum setup. Returns on the platinum setup cost, which ranges from $100 to $200, include a thoroughly cleaned and well-maintained instrument, armed with a new set of perfect strings for improved sound and playability.
Is it worth investing in Guitar Center setups?
While the costs for guitar setups at Guitar Center might seem steep, especially if you need more comprehensive services like a complete re-fretting, many guitarists think of it as a worthwhile investment. There are visible and noticeable improvements in the ease of playing and quality of sound from your guitar, which can make the costs seem like a smart investment. What’s more, this peace of mind that comes with knowing your guitar has been professionally set up can be priceless in its own right. In conclusion, the setup costs at Guitar Center can be seen as an investment towards keeping your guitar in optimal playing condition and enhancing its sonic performance, making it a worthy consideration for serious guitarists.