• Gar
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  • Registered: 2011-11-09
  • Posts: 15

Topic: Question: Joes guitar set up - Action, pick up heights etc.

How hands on is Joe with regards to his guitar set up?

Action, pick up heights etc. I take it his tech does the maintainance but what if he's not happy with the sound or feel? Does he ask the tech to change it or does he make adjustments himself?

After all tone and feel are subjective and quite personal. How does the tech know it's to Joe's liking?

Are all the guitars set up for an over all similar feel or set up individually to suit the guitar (obviously some will be set up for different tunings)

This seems rather trivial but it's just a thought I had whilst attempting to set the pick up heights on my Les Paul. Any personal preferences regarding this?

  • From: Adelaide, South Australia
  • Registered: 2011-10-14
  • Posts: 1,339

Re: Question: Joes guitar set up - Action, pick up heights etc.

He uses 11-52 Ernie Ball strings with a medium-high action and has been known to set his pickups fairly close to the strings to maximise the amount of output hitting the front end of his amps. He even uses 11-52 on his acoustics, I am not sure whether he uses any string lubricant such as finger ease, but I know he has used big bends nut sauce in the past.

There is a lot more detail, but there's the sheer basics,

All the best from Aus,

- Stefan

http://www.stefanhauk.com

stefanhauk's Website

  • From: Ridgeland, MS
  • Registered: 2009-08-12
  • Posts: 1,248

Re: Question: Joes guitar set up - Action, pick up heights etc.

There is a sticky on this subject.

  • From: Washington State
  • Registered: 2006-03-30
  • Posts: 1,593

Re: Question: Joes guitar set up - Action, pick up heights etc.

Here's a great series of videos about setting up your guitar. I know it's been posted here before, but it's still good info...and rather entertaining too.

1 of 6
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKTXTWbI4FU

2 of 6
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyF0m3m1Ofc

3 of 6
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfuH70XzQF0

4 of 6
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbdEIk-13XE

5 of 6
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IG1MSZIysPQ

6 of 6
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STeHgXlnh1c

  • Gar
  • Member
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  • Registered: 2011-11-09
  • Posts: 15

Re: Question: Joes guitar set up - Action, pick up heights etc.

Ah yeah must have brushed over that part in the sticky thread, thanks. Joe Walsh is a character though full of good tips, I like this approach to doing it by ear, makes sense.