Learn & Master Guitar Secret #3

A simple, often overlooked way to sound better

This is #3 in a series of Learn and Master Guitar Secrets. These simple tips can help you improve your guitar playing skills and sound better. Here's the next one. It's a "sound better" tip related to the last one.

(The best money I ever spent!!) This costs a little bit...but makes a BIG difference in how easy your guitar will play!

Learning guitar is challenging enough without having to wrestle with an instrument that's hard to play. So that's why I suggest that you have your guitar properly set-up by a 'guitar tech' in your area.

What this really means is...your guitar will be as 'playable' as it can be. A set-up job is something that any guitar-tech at your local music store will be able to do for a nominal expense (usually less than $50.)

A typical set-up job includes:

1. Adjusting the Truss Rod. The truss rod is the metal reinforcement that runs length of the guitar's neck (inside the neck.) It needs routine adjustment to make the action (the distance between the strings and the frets) as low as possible without buzzing.

This rod adjusts the 'bend' in the neck forward or backward and should only be adjusted by someone who is experienced. Just the right amount of tension and your guitar plays 'like butter.' Too much, and your guitar ends up in splinters at your feet!

2. Adjusting the Bridge and the Nut. The bridge (by the tail piece) and nut (by the tuning pegs) are the two places that the strings make contact with the guitar. Sometimes these need to be filed or sanded down to get the proper action on a guitar. A good tech will check this and make adjustments as needed.

On some guitars (mostly electrics), the bridge will be adjustable using tools and your tech will know how to do it.

3. Changing the Strings. (Remember yesterday's tip.) Along with all the adjustments, a set-up will include a new set of strings, properly stretched out and ready to play.

When all is said and done, a proper set-up job will make your guitar as easy to play as possible, so that you can get back to making music.

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Keep Learning and Growing!
Steve Krenz
Author and Instructor - Learn & Master Guitar

Steve Krenz is a professional guitarist and guitar teacher in Nashville, Tennessee. For more information on his award-winning Learn and Master Guitar home study course, click on the button below.