Checking a new guitar

tommaso

Hi dear friends,
I've just bought my new guitar (a DG-310 mod. Lulo Reinhardt) and it appears to be perfectly set up. But since I am not a big expert in set up guitars, I would like to know what checks do I have to do to verify the correct setup of the guitar, and what results do i have to expect, from these checks, to be shure that everything is ok. Of course I am speaking of checks that every one can do at home.
I will appreciate very much your help.
Thank you all,
Tommaso :?

Josh Hegg

Set up is very particular to each player. One player might say "that is way too low" and another would say "how the heck do you play with the action so high!?" If it plays well and sounds good to you then it is set up well for you.
If you are asking if the set up can be better then it came from the factory?.. then Yes it can. Having a bridge made for that guitar will really bring the tone out and customize the action for you.

One thing you can check is the string hight at the 12th fret. Just use a ruler and set it on the fret. Measure to the bottom of the low and high E stings. This is your action. It might be something like 2.0 - 2.5 mm a the 12th fret. It could be 3.0 - 3.5 mm but Saga has been shipping the guitars set up on the low side. Many players of the GJ style don't play less then 3mm at the 12th fret. But there are many that play a lower action and do very well. So again it's up to you the player.

If you are interested in learning more about having a bridge made email me at <!-- e --><a href="mailto:josh@djangobooks.com">josh@djangobooks.com</a><!-- e -->

Cheers,
Josh

tommaso

Thank you, Josh for the information. My DG310 has an action of 3 mm., that seems good for me.
Anyway, are there any other checks other than this one to be done? What about the intonation? How can I check the correct position of the bridge? The last question : is the string gauge (10-45 or 11-46) only dependent on one's preferences for the sound? How can I recognize what gauge are the strings already mounted on?
Bye,
Tommaso

Josh Hegg

If you have a tuner you can check the intonation. Just fret the strings on the 12th fret and see if they are sharp or flat.

The strings do make a difference in tone. the 11s will have more a fuller sound a drive the top a bit harder. The 10s are easier to play and still sound good. It really comes down to what you like as a player. I like 11s as I play way to hard.

If you are Argentine strings you can tell the 11s by the Red winding at the tail end and the 10s by the Purple. I'm nit sure about the other brands and the color/gauge layout.

Cheers,
Josh