You might not need a handmade guitar (Yet)
Many players assume the solution to their frustration is a better instrument.
Sometimes that’s true.
But quite often the real issue is much simpler: the guitar they already own has never been properly set up.
A good professional setup can transform how an instrument plays, how it sounds, and how it feels in your hands.
In Brief
• Many players assume they need a better guitar when the real issue is poor setup.
• A professional guitar setup can dramatically improve playability and tone.
• Before commissioning a handmade guitar, it is worth hearing your current instrument at its best.
• A proper setup can also clarify what you do and do not like about an instrument.
• If you later commission a guitar from a luthier, that knowledge is extremely useful.
What if I told you that you might not need a handmade instrument at all?
Sometimes what’s holding a player back isn’t the instrument itself. It’s simply the setup on the instrument they already have.
A good professional setup can make a big difference to how a guitar sounds, how it plays, and how it feels when you sit down to play it.
It may be that you’ve never actually heard your instrument at its best.
This isn’t a “how to set up your own guitar” video. There are plenty of those on YouTube. Personally, I would recommend ignoring them. Guitar setup is one of those jobs where experience really matters. You want someone who has done many setups and understands how the instrument responds.
The cost varies. Sometimes there isn’t much to do. It might just be a small truss rod adjustment, a few fret ends needing attention, a light fret dress, or a small adjustment to the nut.
In that case it might cost very little.
If the instrument needs more work it could cost a couple of hundred dollars. But it’s still worth doing.
Very often a proper setup leads to one of two things.
You might fall in love with the instrument again. You might realise you’d simply forgotten how good it could be when it’s playing properly.
Or you might realise that the two of you are never really going to get along.
That’s useful information as well.
If you eventually decide to commission a guitar from a luthier, understanding what you don’t like about your current instrument is extremely helpful.
And if you decide to sell it, you can honestly say the instrument has just had a professional setup and is playing as well as it possibly can.
So before you start fantasising about having something built just for you, try this first.
It might actually solve the problem.
For some players the situation is different. They already know their instrument is playing as well as it can. The hesitation then is usually something else — the feeling that commissioning a handmade instrument might be an indulgence, or that they’re not a good enough player to justify it.
If that sounds familiar, I’ve made another video about exactly that question.
lace it just before the FAQ on each of the four pages.
A Short Guide to Ordering a Handmade Instrument
If you’re thinking about commissioning a handmade instrument, there are a few common questions that nearly everyone goes through. These short videos walk through the most common doubts players have before ordering an instrument.
• You Might Not Be Good Enough for a Handmade Guitar (Yet)
Why many players underestimate themselves when thinking about ordering a handmade instrument.
• You Don’t Need to Know Everything Before Ordering a Handmade Guitar
Why you don’t need to decide every specification before contacting a luthier.
• How to Choose the Right Luthier (Without Regretting It Later)
What to look for when deciding which maker to work with.
FAQ
Does a professional guitar setup really make a difference?
Yes. A proper setup may include adjustments to the truss rod, nut, saddle and fretwork so the instrument plays cleanly and comfortably. Many guitars are capable of far better performance than players realise once these adjustments are made.
Should I set up my guitar myself?
Best not. A full setup is best done by an experienced technician or repairer. Small mistakes can cause buzzing, poor intonation, or permanent damage.
When should I consider a handmade guitar?
A handmade instrument becomes most valuable when a player already understands what they like and dislike about their current guitar. At that point a luthier can build something tailored to the player’s needs.
Is buying a handmade guitar just an indulgence?
Not necessarily. For serious players a well-made instrument can offer greater responsiveness, tonal clarity and playability. But it’s still worth making sure your current guitar is performing at its best first.
Can a professional setup increase resale value?
It can help. An instrument that has recently been professionally set up will usually play better and be easier to sell, because buyers know it is performing as well as it can.
If you eventually decide to commission a guitar, understanding what you like and dislike about your current instrument helps a luthier build something that truly suits you. If you’d like to commission one from me, you’ll find the contact form at the foot of this page.
From the workshop of Nigel Forster
Nigel Forster has been building guitars, mandolins and Irish bouzoukis since 1988.