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Thread: "Never underestimate the sheer impact of a thorough and proper setup..."

  1. 01-28-2013, 06:54 PM #1
    BostonGuitar
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    "Never underestimate the sheer impact of a thorough and proper setup..."

    "Never underestimate the sheer impact of a thorough and proper setup..."

    -Kevin Catfish Prefontaine 1/28/2013
    Official DGT Club President 2008-2016
    "Lucky": 2012 McCartyBurst PRS DGT Moons (59/09 Neck Pickup)
    "Frank": 2012 Frost Blue Metallic PRS DGT Standard Moons(Sold)
    "Lucy G": 2008 GoldTop/DarkBack PRS DGT Birds(57/08 Pickup)
    "Lester": 2007 GoldTop/DarkBack Les Paul R0(59/09-57/08)
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  2. 01-28-2013, 06:56 PM #2
    kingsleyd
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    One thing I really miss about not living in New Hampshire any more is going over to have Mark Bishop set up my guitars.
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  3. 01-28-2013, 07:08 PM #3
    BostonGuitar
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    as much as I took pride in really dialing BOTH of my DGTs today... My Lester that really needs a new ABR-1 or reasonable facsimile due to bent screws, etc. left me wanting a pro like Mark Bishop to "make things ok..."
    Official DGT Club President 2008-2016
    "Lucky": 2012 McCartyBurst PRS DGT Moons (59/09 Neck Pickup)
    "Frank": 2012 Frost Blue Metallic PRS DGT Standard Moons(Sold)
    "Lucy G": 2008 GoldTop/DarkBack PRS DGT Birds(57/08 Pickup)
    "Lester": 2007 GoldTop/DarkBack Les Paul R0(59/09-57/08)
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  4. 01-28-2013, 07:33 PM #4
    tacomadriver
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    There are some things I can do to my guitars but when a Master Craftsman blesses a guitar the end result can be glorious. I few months back I bought an Antique White SE Singlecut. It had a wonderful fit and finish. The stock humbucker were nice but I specifically bought the SE to put two of Pete Biltoft's HS-90's in it. They are humbucker size, metal covered P-90's. They sounded good in it but the 12,13 and 14th frets on the B&E strings didn't sustain. Rick Kneale in Springfield, Oregon worked over the frets to near perfection, added a bone nut and basically ported and polished it. I've never liked the phrase "It plays like butter" but I sure love playing this guitar. I've never had a guitar setup to this degree and I'm thinking I've been missing something.
    George

    AMPS: Red Iron Amps Mil-Spec -> Cave Valley 2x12 cab, Swart STR-Tweed
    GUITARS: Suhr Pro C2, PRS NF3, PRS SE Singlecut, Gibson LP Standard, Squier CV50
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  5. 01-28-2013, 08:50 PM #5
    Shawn@PRS
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    I agree, a great set up makes all the difference in the world!
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  6. 01-29-2013, 10:43 AM #6
    John Beef
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    For Christmas my wife got me the Stew Mac setup kit, which is an overpriced set of a few pieces of metal in a box. But man, I went through my guitars with those overpriced pieces of metal and the guitars all play like I just got them back from the shop!
    The Bovine Fury <-- stream and download our album "Eleven by Twelve" for free.
    05 Custom 22 with DGT pickups ~ 07 Mira with old birds ~ 08 SE Baritone Fralin/Suhr pickups ~ 03 SE Santana
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  7. 01-29-2013, 10:58 AM #7
    tacomadriver
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    Quote Originally Posted by John Beef View Post
    For Christmas my wife got me the Stew Mac setup kit, which is an overpriced set of a few pieces of metal in a box. But man, I went through my guitars with those overpriced pieces of metal and the guitars all play like I just got them back from the shop!
    John, some of us are tool users and some of us not. Sounds like you have some skills with tools.
    George

    AMPS: Red Iron Amps Mil-Spec -> Cave Valley 2x12 cab, Swart STR-Tweed
    GUITARS: Suhr Pro C2, PRS NF3, PRS SE Singlecut, Gibson LP Standard, Squier CV50
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  8. 01-29-2013, 11:08 AM #8
    Blackbird
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    Quote Originally Posted by tacomadriver View Post
    John, some of us are tool users and some of us not. Sounds like you have some skills with tools.
    I've never been a "tool user." When it comes to car repair, home repair, appliances, etc, I'm a "check writer."

    But a few years ago I had a bad experience with a local guitar tech and vowed to never bring him a PRS again. So I got one of the StewMac kits that John mentioned, watched a few YouTube videos, read a few how-to articles, and now I'm a certified tool user. Most of the setup stuff is not as difficult as I thought. Maybe start out by practicing on beater guitars you have lying around, you'll be a tool user in no time.
    12 DGT - 09 Tremonti II - 98 CU24 - 97 CE22 - Mesa MarkIV - Kemper Profiler Amp - AxeFxUltra
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  9. 01-29-2013, 11:44 AM #9
    tacomadriver
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    Do you happen to have the Stewmac item # so I can check this out?
    George

    AMPS: Red Iron Amps Mil-Spec -> Cave Valley 2x12 cab, Swart STR-Tweed
    GUITARS: Suhr Pro C2, PRS NF3, PRS SE Singlecut, Gibson LP Standard, Squier CV50
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  10. 01-29-2013, 12:38 PM #10
    John Beef
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    Quote Originally Posted by tacomadriver View Post
    Do you happen to have the Stewmac item # so I can check this out?
    3910

    I have done my own setup tweaks for years but there always came that time where it just wasn't right - too much buzz and the action is too high. That's when I would take it in. I honestly feel now with just the straight edge and action gauge that I am able to do a way better job than eyeballing things. It amazing how when you have the right tools and follow the instructions, things turn out well.
    The Bovine Fury <-- stream and download our album "Eleven by Twelve" for free.
    05 Custom 22 with DGT pickups ~ 07 Mira with old birds ~ 08 SE Baritone Fralin/Suhr pickups ~ 03 SE Santana
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  11. 01-29-2013, 12:44 PM #11
    kingsleyd
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    The StewMac toolkit is great, cos measuring allows you to get your setup dialed in right every time. Well worth the time and $$$, and for anyone who owns US-made PRSi, it's a drop in the bucket, $$$-wise.

    If you have as many guitars as I do, it's totally impractical to have someone else do your setup work. It also means you get good at it quicker 'cos you have to do it all the time!
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