STRETCHING TIME

Some might say a new guitar needs a few weeks to settle in and that there’s no point in thinking about mods or the like until it has. Dave Burrluck doesn’t quite agree…

Back in issue 496’s Feedback column, a reader shared his experience of a guitar coming to life – and starting to behave – after a somewhat extensive ‘bedding in’ timescale. But it’s not exactly a good point of sale, is it? “Thank you very much for buying your new guitar. Because it’s new, it’ll take a little time – maybe weeks or months – before it all settles down and actually works and stays in tune. Don’t worry, it’s perfectly normal.” It would certainly make the day job of reviewing guitars interesting. “Sorry, I haven’t finished my copy, I just need to leave the guitar for a couple of months before it’ll play in tune…” Mind you, that’s why vintage guitars are so good, right? They’ve been hanging around for years. They must be perfect!

I’m not being entirely serious here, of course, but still, with minimal effort any new guitar should be fit for purpose: playing. After you’ve stretched your strings and tuned up, you should be good to go.

As we said in our reply to reader Nigel White, having a troublesome new guitar set up professionally, or even by a competent mate, is your first port of call when it comes to QC issues, but there’s a lot you can – and should – do yourself.

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