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Posted by: skennington Dec 2 2007, 04:36 PM

Ok GMC'ers, Just wanted to get your take on a professional set-up on a new guitar.
Model is a Jackson DK2M special run white bengal. Licensed FR with EMG's. Sounds pretty good out of the box but think it could use a little help. I'm a beginner and understand intonation and action and all that goes into a set-up but a little weary about messing with a brand new guitar.

What do you think?

Posted by: SDMF75 Dec 2 2007, 04:44 PM

What exactly do you think it needs help with? Is the action too high? Do you have fret buzz? Is the tremolo level? I'll be glad to help but need a little more info .

Posted by: Understudy Dec 2 2007, 04:46 PM

I would take it to a shop and have them put on what ever gauge strings you play, and then set up the guitar from there. They will adjust everything accordingly, including the neck if need be. Once it is set up with the strings you like, you will enjoy it much more than just right out of the box. Just my opinion, let some others that are more experienced than I am chime in with thoughts. Best of luck with it.

Posted by: Alucard Dec 2 2007, 05:24 PM

If your not 100% sure and confident in setting up a new guitar, it's best, like Understudy said, to take it to a trusted repairman and have him set it up for you. If your interested in learning how to set up a guitar, it's a good a idea to start with a cheap guitar that you have lying around so that if you mess up, the damage will me minimal compared to that of a new guitar.

Posted by: skennington Dec 2 2007, 05:25 PM

Trem is level. Action is set relly low (as Jacksons are known for low fast action). I do think that it's to low. I am getting fret buzz. Can't play it rite now as it is a gift. Wife won't let me touch the damn thing. Luthier at my local Sam Ash will set it up for 60 bucks. Also recomended new strings as he said the factory strings that Jackson uses are shit.

Posted by: tonymiro Dec 2 2007, 05:40 PM

+1 with Understudy. Also I'd say that the shop should have offered to set it up how you wanted when it was bought and either have done it as part of the deal for free or heavily discounted. If the strings are rubbish straight from Jackson then the shop should really change them when they come in. Else they aren't doing themselves any favors when people come and go, 'Wow man great ax but the strings suck so no deal' .

Nice guitar btw - finish looks great to me .

Cheers,
Tony

Posted by: Milenkovic Ivan Dec 2 2007, 06:38 PM

What string gauge do you use now? DO you wanna continue using that gauge in the future? Is the neck slightly curved? Are you hearing any fret buzzing. Is the sound aquard in any way? If you can answer on these few questions that maybe we can halp you with your setup and what needs to be done.

Posted by: SDMF75 Dec 2 2007, 08:40 PM

I would replace the strings first. Do you know what gauge that came on it from the factory? My Schecter had 10's initially but I had just started playing again when I got it and they were chewing my fingers up. So, I dropped back to 9's which caused some fret buzz. I moved up to 10's a couple of months ago and the fret buzz is gone. This is just a starting point but it doesn't sound like anything that you can't handle on your own IF you go slow with it. I just adjusted the Truss Rod on my Iceman last night for the 1st time ever and it worked out quite well. I had some nasty buzzing from frets 1-5 (especially on my high E) and I had done all the bridge adjusting possible. The neck was perfectly straight but needed just a little relief added to it to get that buzz out of the top. Sure enough, it worked. Of course, I bought a Guitar player repair guide book (Dan Erlewine) a few months ago and it had excellent instructions in it. The truss rod is probably the only thing that you could really screw up (bust your neck) so I say try as much of it as you're comfortable with to learn how to do this stuff on your own. I can do it for you if you'd like....I'm only and hour and half up the road in Winston . Like I said, I believe you can handle it yourself.

Posted by: fkalich Dec 2 2007, 09:39 PM

I've been playing just over a year. Set my guitars up myself and have from the beginning. Only thing you need be a bit cautious about is the truss rod. Only thing you could possibly hurt.

A lot of guys today have little or no experience with mechanical stuff. I guess if that is the case, don't touch the truss rod. Nuts and and bolts 101 is a prerequisite. Of which there is only one lesson, if in doubt, don't force it. It should turn smoothly. Basically you first loosen it a bit, then bringing it back to where it was originally to feel the tension. If the feel of the tension gets stiff after that, stop and let the shop deal with it, it might be maxed out. You can find a lot on internet with a search such as...

guitar setup action truss rod

Get yourself a mechanics ruler with tiny increments (in the US it is 1/64's of an inch). 2 bucks at a hardware store.

Other than that, if you do anything wrong, you can undo it without damage. I like setting up my own guitars, and I get them just how I want them, and make little changes from time to time.

edit: a trick on the truss rod, is using a high E string as a feeler gauge to measure relief clearance for your truss rod adjustment. That is about standard relief. Most shred guys will want to set it lower than that though, closer to straight neck.

Posted by: SDMF75 Dec 2 2007, 09:45 PM

I actually backed my Truss Rod nut out completely and sprayed just a little WD40 on the threads to be sure that it would turn smooth. I then put it back in and once it was snug I made a mark on the rod nut with a Sharpie marker and one just above it on the neck to know how far I had turned it. Glad to know that there are other "Do-it yourselfers" out there.

Posted by: fkalich Dec 2 2007, 09:54 PM

That is a good idea. You have to be careful. I had a new Telecaster. And the adjustement was stiff. I took it to the shop and it was maxed out, I could have snapped it. Fender is great supporting American product, they replaced the neck at no charge. But that can even happen with a new guitar, you don't want to force a maxed out bolt. I learned that years ago, leaving a bolt broken off in an engine. That is why I am always cautious on this advice, do it yourself guys probably have learned about bolts by a bad experience.

Posted by: shredmandan Dec 2 2007, 10:01 PM

First off let me say you got yourself a awesome guitar! .I had a Jackson DK2 which is very similar to your's but just a different paint job along with a few other small spec's.My advice would be to just take it to a shop.You say you know how to do alittle bit but just dont want to do it on a brand new guitar.If you havent really ever set-up a guitar just take it to the shop as its easier and you know its gonna be sweet when you get it back.

Like fcalich said really the only thing you can trulyDAMAGE is the truss rod,but if you dont know what your doing you can really make it far worse and them make alot more work on yourself.I guess its really how well you think you can do it along with the tools you have.If you have set up guitars before and feel you can go for it.For me i always have taken my guitar to this guy that set's it up Exactly how i like it.I've played for 11 years and would love to just do it myself but,i would have to have someone personally show me first before i would do big adjustments.I cant just read something and do it cause that always get's me in a worse spot than i was in before

Posted by: SDMF75 Dec 2 2007, 10:19 PM

Yeah, being super careful is the key. My guide book said to only turn it 1/8 to 1/4 turn and then check it with a straight edge. It took a little more than one quarter turn (right about 4 O'Clock) and I was done as far as that goes. Popped the neck back on, threw the strings on and then had to play with the level of the bridge to get it just right but it's good to go now.

Posted by: skennington Dec 2 2007, 11:41 PM

thanks for all the input guys. The truss rod is the only real thing I'm worried about. I've even read to adjust in 1/16th increments. I guess for warranty sake I'll prolly just take it to the shop. I've got a cheap Lyon series made by Washburn that I 've worked befor. Was'nt that big of deal and was real careful. Just don't want to screw this bad boy up. as far as strings go, they are gged between .009-.046

Here is rest of specs on this guitar. I would have negotiated the set-up but these are very limited and retail for 999.00. Dealers are getting 799 for um and I got this one as a scratch and dent for 619 delivered. One hardly noticable chip and I saved nearly 200.00!

Jackson DK2M AMS Exclusive Collection Guitar - White Bengal Custom Graphics
Item# JAC 2940017 599 Active EMG 81 and 85 Humbuckers!













List Price: $999.99
Our Price: $799.98


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Availability: Out of Stock!
Notify Me! When this item is in stock.
Warranty Protection: One Extra Year -- FREE
Tax: No Sales Tax (Except in NJ, NV)


Product Description


The Jackson Pro DK2M Dinky Custom with EMGs
A special run, this guitar will really turn some heads with its custom graphics. It's got an alder body, bolt-on maple neck, maple fingerboard, 24 jumbo frets and active EMG pickups.



Jackson AMS Exclusive Collection DK2M Unique Features

Jackson 6-In-Line Pointed Headstock
Compound (14 to 16-inch) Fingerboard Radius
Black Delrin™ Shark Fin Position Inlays
Black Binding on Neck and Headstock
Natural Headstock with Black Jackson® Logo
Introduced: 1/2007


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Jackson Guitars
A Jackson guitar is meant to be played, and played hard. Each of their endorsers and players choose Jackson because they know Jackson builds their instruments just how they want them. Jackson's instruments are built to handle hard lives on the road, and are ready to take whatever players will throw at them - that's the just the way it is, and Jackson won't have it any other way.





Warranty : 1 Year actally got an extra year as well!


Technical Details

Specifications

Body: Alder
Neck: Bolt-On Rock Maple with Scarf Joint Head Stock Jackson
Neck Dimensions:
1st Fret: .735 inch
12th Fret: .810 inch
Tuning Machines: Sealed Die-Cast Tuners
Fingerboard: Maple with Compound 14 to 16-inch Radius
Number of Frets: 24 Jumbo Frets
Bridge Pickup: EMG 81
Neck Pickup: EMG 85
Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone
Bridge: Jackson low profile double locking tremolo
Pickup Switching 3-Position Blade:
Position 1. Bridge Pickup
Position 2. Bridge and Neck Pickups
Position 3. Neck Pickup
Hardware: Black
Strings: NPS, Gauges: .009, .011, .016, .024, .032, .042
Case: Optional Deluxe Molded Case
Scale Length: 25.5-inch (648mm)
Width at Nut: 1-11/16 inch (43mm)