Setup is THE key?

[LiveMusic]

Hypothetical: Say you are shopping for higher end guitars. Say, $2000. Should all be high-quality. Supposedly. You find one that has amazing playability and good tone. Another has incredible tone to die for but the playability is not so hot. You gotta have good playability but the tone, you want. Would you say that a good setup could give the great playability in this high-end guitar?

[missedmyexit]

 

Say you are shopping for higher end guitars. Say, $2000. Should all be high-quality. Supposedly. You find one that has amazing playability and good tone. Another has incredible tone to die for but the playability is not so hot. You gotta have good playability but the tone, you want. Would you say that a good setup could give the great playability in this high-end guitar?

 

 

Depends on why the other one is more playable to you. Some people think it's all in the action but the neck has alot to do with it to. I loved the playability of the Taylor 414 but went with the Martin OMC for tone instead. The action is the same but the neck on the OMC is wider and not beveled on the edge. I think the bevel bothers me more then the width. Kind of sharp on my thumb when I wrap my thumb over the top and slide down the guitar.

[guitarist21]

Also depends on what you mean by "playable." It seems like ever since Taylor marketed their guitars as "playable," people have thought "low action right out of the box." If by playable you mean the action you prefer, then yes, a setup could possibly make it the guitar for you.

 

However, if by playable you mean neck shape/feel, that might be more of a stumbling block.

 

Ellen

[knockwood]

 

Depends on why the other one is more playable to you.

 

 

 

+1

 

If it's an action thing, for example (high action on the guitar whose tone you love), lowering the action significantly may impact the tonal advantage you're perceiving...

 

What is it about the playability of the second guitar that bothers you? Or is this just hypothetical? A setup can do wonders, but the neck profile has to be right to begin with.