Setting Up Guitar: DIY Maintenance Tips Don't Let A Poor Setup Ruin Your Recordings! Could a poorly set‑up guitar be compromising your recordings? Whether you play guitar yourself or record other people’s performances, it’s helpful to understand how to keep guitars in good, playable condition, and how to spot when a poorly setup instrument is responsible for disappointing recordings. The good news is that most electric guitars available today are better made and more playable than ever. Still, you can’t expect a budget instrument to have had a premium setup, and even pricier models need a spot of maintenance from time to time if they’re to give of their best.