Dispelling The Magic: On Managing Expectations & Accepting Reality

There certainly are a lot of enticing deals out there. From expensive used guitars available at low prices to inexpensive models from big-time manufacturers, the guitar market is saturated with opportunities to own nearly anything a player could want.

But every acquisition also comes with limitations that sometimes come into combat with expectations.

As a luthier, I mostly repair guitars and perform routine maintenance on instruments daily. The harsh reality that needs to be realized is that while I can do my best to make your instruments play their best, not every guitar can fit into the “perfectly adjustable” category. I don’t have a set magic wands, but I can do only what my screwdrivers and various hand tools allow. Sure, it might seem like magic to some, but it’s not rocket science (more like simple physics with a hefty dose of psychological spice!!!).

Allow me to shed some light on the subject of “managing expectations” and learn why it’s not always my fault that an instrument fails to meet them.

Almost everyone who brings me a newly acquired instrument has the dreamy expectations that although they don’t play perfect out of the box that all that needs to be done is have said the instrument setup. A setup can indeed help make most instruments play better, but the truth is that all individual instruments have limitations - and sometimes major flaws.

For instance, if a guitar neck under proper tension has a twist or bow that cannot be adjusted with the turning of a truss rod, then the setup will suffer greatly (higher action is the result). If frets are un-even on the playing surface and need to be ground & dressed level, there will be obvious visual aftereffects that might result in less than perfection in the end. If hardware fails to adjust or is not installed in the right place or at the proper angles, solutions might need to be developed and applied. But even after all possible (and cost effective) remedies are applied, some instruments just fail to reach the expectations of the customer.

This is crucial to understand:

First off: not every guitar was meant for every player. A vintage Les Paul is not going to suit everyone’s needs while a modern tricked-out Charvel is likewise not all-encompassing the desires of every player. So my first bit of advice is to search high and low and find the right guitar that suits your individual needs. Maybe you will have to spend a little money and sell a few mistakes along the way, but the process of discovery can be invaluable in the end.

Second: even when you find the right style of guitar, understand that no guitar is absolutely perfect. A flaw or flaws will exist, so don’t try and seek absolute perfection but find what is the closest thing to it for your needs. Here’s a good example: a Squier Affintiy Telecaster and a Fender 52 RI Telecaster have a lot in common visually, but the two guitars are drastically far apart on the quality spectrum. Even with a hefty amount of upgrades, the Squier will never match the Fender. So if you want the 52 RI, it is best to save your funds and buy the real deal instead of trying to upgrade the Affinity.

A side note on this topic of cheaper guitars: if you buy a Chinese knock-off from an online site and expect to save a boat-load of money, think again! Typically guitars made in those shady parts of the manufacturing world are riddled with issues that can not be easily dealt with. Sure, it might be ok for some to take on as projects, but be fully prepared to spend the same amount or more on upgrades and work that you do on the actual instrument you are importing.

Third: (I can’t stress this enough) I can only work with what you have, and I cannot magically make a large flaw disappear. Sometimes I can correct major issues, but when the hurdle is permanent a workaround must be developed and applied. Before you spend money on what could end up as a headache for both me and you, consider getting out of the instrument and finding a new, better option. Unless you want to attach yourself (and essentially me) to an ongoing project, selling the less-than ideal guitar and finding a newer, better instrument for your needs would be preferred. Don’t get me wrong, I love making things better and I am in business to do so, but it’s just not always worth it.

Forth (and last): This is a very personal journey, so best discover what suits your needs and budget than to get caught up in hype and daydreams. The grass might be greener, but maybe you really work better with blue. Make the decision to purchase a guitar knowing what you really want and try to assess how much you might have to invest in possible upgrades - especially if another model already exists with what you are looking for.

I’ve added a general disclaimer to my services page to further drive some of these points home. The reality is clear: manufacturers are responsible for the overall build quality of their instruments (big and small businesses alike). One of the worst experiences I had in recent memory had to deal with prepping a hefty batch of guitars that were to be on display at a NAMM show. When prepping this companies instruments for the show, I noticed a large amount of flaws and issues that prevented proper setups from being accomplished (and if you are wondering what a “proper setup” entails, I am referring to making sure an instrument is adjusted in the sweet-spot for general playability while still allowing for further adjustments without any future excessive work). These flaws were numerous enough for me to not want to deal with that company any longer, and the relationship has since ceased.

I won’t claim to be perfect in this business. I know that there are others better than me in certain (and maybe all) areas of what I do. But after almost 15 years in the business (and nearly 10 on my own), my growing customer base is enough evidence that I’m doing at least something right for some of the people out there. If there is ever a question regarding why something is or isn’t done for your own guitar at my shop, I implore you to ask me directly. It’s completely OK to be inquisitive, and I will gladly provide you with the answers of “why” and “how” something was (or wasn’t) done.

It’s a wild world of guitars out there. Hopefully this little article can help you along in your musical journeys.

(One final note, and this one goes out to novice as well as professional builders and guitar companies of all kinds: We all learn from experience. Understanding the importance of learning from mistakes and making corrections over time is a key to growth and success. I have built and continue to build instruments for customers as requested, and each assembly has it's own hurdles to overcome and lessons to be learned from. If your build ever has a flaw that brings it to me (frets, fit, function, etc) learn from the information and make strides to prevent future similar issues from occurring. Besides, if your instrument is in the hands of a customer of my shop, you should already feel a sense of accomplishment for creating something that someone else enjoys!