A Fender 50th Anniversary Stratocaster came in neglected and very dirty, needing a deep cleaning before any setup could start.
What Came In
A Fender 50th Anniversary Stratocaster that had been sitting neglected. It was very dirty and in for a setup.
What We Found
It needed a real cleaning before anything else. The electronics were scratchy and cutting out, and there was still plastic from the pickguard under the knobs making noise when you turned them. The nut height was all over the place, some slots high and some low, and the tremolo springs, truss rod, saddle heights, and intonation were all off.
What We Did
Cleaned up the guitar and the fretboard. Pulled the knobs to clear out the plastic underneath, then cleaned the electronics. Set the truss rod, evened out the nut, and set the saddle height and intonation. About an hour and forty minutes on the bench.
Result
Good to bring one back to life after years of neglect.
Worth Knowing
A neglected guitar almost always needs cleaning before it needs adjusting, because dirt in the nut slots and grime on the frets throw off everything you measure.
Leftover plastic from the factory under the knobs is a small thing that makes an annoying noise, and it is easy to miss until you pull the knobs.
Bring It In
Got a guitar that has been sitting and needs waking up? Bring it in. Standard setup is $79 and we'll get it back in your hands as soon as possible.
Related
- What a Guitar Setup Includes and Why It Matters
- How to Clean Your Guitar Without Damaging It
- When to Take Your Guitar to a Tech vs. Fix It Yourself
Paul's Guitar Hideout is located at The Shirt Factory in Glens Falls, NY. Use the Cooper Street entrance and take the stairs up. If you need assistance, give us a call and we'll come down.
The Shirt Factory
71 Lawrence St., Suite 201B, 2nd Floor
Glens Falls, NY 12801
Wednesday to Sunday, 12 to 5pm
(518) 217-8695 · info@paulsguitarhideout.com