D-55 setup tweak made a world of difference

[dwasifar]

Regulars will recall I returned my first D-55 to Guild under warranty because it had the wrong bridge and the neck finish was flaking. After many months they eventually just sent me a new one. I took it for setup at the time, and my tech advised me to wait a while before having that done.

So I've been playing it, but with some nagging dissatisfaction about its intonation. It never seemed to be quite in tune with itself. I noticed in particular that the B string seemed high at the nut, so that when it was tuned properly open, it was a little sharp when fretted.

Thursday I took it to him again. He confirmed my suspicion about the B and said the nut was just generally cut inconsistently. He and his colleague worked on it while I waited, and leveled things out. Cost me $20.

And worth it.

The whole instrument has snapped into focus. That nagging things-aren't-right feeling is gone: wazmo, just that easily. Everything just sounds more harmonious and euphonic, and much more enjoyable to play.

My wife, who is accustomed to listening to me play, cannot hear any difference. And I imagine regular audience members probably wouldn't. But I do, and it's not exaggerating to say it's a burden lifted.

That said, I would really like to know why a $4500 instrument doesn't come with a proper nut setup.

 

[GGJaguar]

Sometimes it's the little things. Glad it's up to snuff now!

 

[davenumber2]

I’ve had to do nut work on almost every guitar I’ve bought (used mostly). It’s a fine line between sounds great and crisp and sounds like garbage. I doubt they take the time at the factory to really get it dialed in.

 

[kostask]

Most guitar manufacturers leave nut slots and bridge saddles high, on purpose. The expectation being that the guitar will be set up and those issues will be corrected during set up. If they left them low, or say set up for light strings, setup gets a lot more complicated if a buyer wants a higher action, or wants to use medium strings, that sort of buyer preference. Since it is a lot easier to lower a bridge or a nut slot than it is to raise them, they go with excess height to start with.

 

[Br1ck]

Much better than Taylor's as low as it will go setup. Not everyone wants that. They sell a lot to those that do for sure.