Why Don’t Manufacturers Setup Guitars Properly?

Introduction

During my visit to the 2026 Guitar Show in Birmingham, it surprised me that some of the guitars on the show stands had not been properly setup. This is also pretty normal for many of the guitars that arrive in the |MAG Music store, but at the show, I expected all of the instruments to be displayed to their best advantage. However, this did inspire me to do some digging as to the reasons why some manufacturers do not carry out a full guitar setup before shipping and this is the subject of my occasional “IMAG Musings” blog.

What is Set Up?

For those thinking of purchasing their first guitar, " setup" refers to final adjustment of the string height, neck relief (the curvature allowing strings to vibrate freely without fret buzz), and intonation (ensuring the instrument stays in tune along the entire neck). In my personal view, issues around poor fret work—such as sharp ends and uneven frets—are indicators of poor quality rather than improper setup, although some I’m sure will disagree.

The issue of setup is important because it is the key to a guitar’s “playability”, a £100 guitar that is properly set up will be much nicer to play than a £1000 guitar with a poor set up. For every guitarist, buying a brand-new instrument, whether it is the first or 10th it is an exciting moment. However, it’s very common for buyers to discover that their fresh-out-of-the-box guitar doesn’t play as well as they’d hoped. The action is too high, there is fret buzz, or it has poorly intonated strings. This can be a real disappointment, and for beginners a very high action can be a real obstacle to learning to play the instrument. But why do some manufacturers consistently ship guitars that aren’t optimally set up?

Economic Reasons

As may be expected, economics do play a role in this. Guitar manufacturers produce instruments in large quantities to meet global demand. Each guitar is assembled and given a basic setup to ensure it’s “playable”, but a full professional setup is time-consuming and adds significant cost. Performing detailed adjustments for every single guitar would dramatically increase production costs and slow down output.

Logistics

However, it is not the only reason. Another, and manufacturers would argue the key reason, is the variability of shipping conditions. Guitars are constructed and initially set up in controlled factory environments. However, once boxed and shipped, they often travel thousands of miles through varying climates and humidity levels. Wood is naturally sensitive to changes in temperature and moisture, which can alter neck relief, action height, and even “allegedly” cause fret sprout. Manufacturers recognize that even a perfect setup at the factory might not withstand the journey to the store or customer’s home. As a result, they tend to provide a generic, “safe” setup that’s less likely to result in damage rather than a finely tuned one that could go awry during transit. (Here I can add some support for this approach. For a retail outlet that does also sell online, like IMAG Music, shipping a guitar fitted with an inexpensive Floyd-Rose is a lottery. I can assure you that we do get the flipping things to “float” before we ship them in the shop. (If you know what I’m on about you know).

Personal Preference

Personal preference also plays a role in guitar setup. Players have different tastes when it comes to string height, neck relief, and overall feel. What’s ideal for a jazz guitarist might be uncomfortable for a metal shredder. Manufacturers therefore opt for a middle-ground setup that will be acceptable for most. This leaves the fine-tuning to the purchaser or the technician at the dealer who can tailor the instrument to individual needs. Setup also of course changes with string gauge and if you prefer lighter or heavier strings to the ones originally supplied the guitar will need setting up again.

Role of Retailers

Most retailers, including IMAG Music, regard setting up the guitars we sell as an added value, ensuring that the instrument is adjusted for the customer and a justification for our existence. The store can address any changes that occurred during shipping and customize the setup according to the customer’s preferences before the sale is finalized. We are of course also happy to take from you the money that you “saved” by buying your guitar on-line and unseen by offering setup as a service to make it playable.

Summary

In summary, while it might be frustrating that new guitars need a setup, it’s a pragmatic result of mass production, shipping realities, and the diverse preferences of players. By understanding these factors, guitarists can better appreciate the journey their instrument has taken—and why a little extra adjustment is often the final step toward making it truly their own.

M Clench

IMAG Music

March 2026