Guitar Setups

What’s Included

• Phase 1: Comprehensive Initial Inspection & Assessment

  • **Player Consultation & Specification:** Document the required string gauge, desired tuning standard, and preferred action height/playing feel (low, medium, high).
  • **Acoustic/Structural Check:** Inspect the instrument for any loose braces, finish cracks, neck joint separation, or loose hardware (tuners, strap buttons).
  • **Fret Level Check:** Use a specialized straightedge (fret rocker) to identify any high or low frets across the entire fretboard.
    • *Measurement Protocol:* Record the highest/lowest points for potential Level/Crown/Polish service.
  • **Electronics Audit (Electrics/Acoustic-Electrics):** Test all potentiometers (Volume/Tone) and switches for crackling, dropouts, or intermittent signal using a diagnostic amplifier.
  • **Neck Relief Measurement:** Check current neck relief using a capo at the 1st fret and fretting at the 17th fret (or where the neck meets the body). Measure the gap at the 8th fret with feeler gauges.
    • *Target Range:* Typically 0.006" to 0.012" (0.15mm to 0.30mm) depending on player preference and string gauge.

• Phase 2: Deep Cleaning & Fretboard Conditioning

  • **String Removal & Disposal:** Safely remove old strings.
  • **Fretboard Deep Clean:** Remove grime and dirt from the fretboard using naphtha or a specialized cleaning agent. ~Scaping may be required~
  • **Fretboard Conditioning:** Apply a moisturizing oil (e.g., lemon oil) to unfinished fretboards (Rosewood, Ebony) to prevent drying and cracking.
  • **Hardware Cleaning:** Clean and degrease all bridge components, saddles, and fine tuners.

• Phase 3: Fret Leveling, Crowning, and Polishing (LCP)

  • **Fret Leveling (If necessary):** Use a precision beam to level the frets, ensuring perfect uniformity across the entire plane.
  • **Fret Crowning:** Re-shape the leveled frets back to a precise, smooth dome shape to maximize sustain and ensure accurate intonation.
  • **Fret Polishing:** Buff frets to a mirror-like shine using progressively finer abrasives, ensuring a silky-smooth feel for bending notes.
  • **Fret End Dressing:** Inspect and file any sharp or protruding fret ends for maximum comfort.

• Phase 4: Nut and Saddle Optimization

  • **Nut Slot Depth:** Check the string height at the 1st fret (critical for comfortable low-position playing). File nut slots to the optimal depth, ensuring the string clears the 1st fret by a hair.
    • *Target Measurement:* Typically 0.010" to 0.020" (0.25mm to 0.50mm).
  • **Nut Slot Lubrication:** Apply a specialized lubricant (e.g., graphite or Big Bends Nut Sauce) to prevent string binding, a major cause of tuning instability.
  • **Saddle Check:** Inspect saddles for wear, sharp edges, or burrs that could fray strings.

• Phase 5: Neck and Radius-Matched Action Setting

  • **Truss Rod Adjustment:** Adjust the truss rod to set the **exact** required neck relief based on the chosen string gauge and playing style.
  • **String Installation & Pre-stretching:** Install the specified new string set, ensure proper winding, and manually stretch the strings to eliminate initial slack and enhance tuning stability.
  • **Fingerboard Radius Check:** Measure the specific radius of the guitar's fingerboard (e.g., $7.25''$, $9.5''$, $12''$, or compound).
  • **Action Height Setting:** Adjust individual saddle/bridge heights using a radius gauge to precisely match the fingerboard radius, ensuring optimal string-to-fret clearance across all strings.
    • *Final Action Measurement:* Measured at the 12th fret, typically $4/64''$ to $6/64''$ ($1.6$mm to $2.4$mm) for electrics.

• Phase 6: Tremolo System Tuning (Floyd Rose Equipped)

  • **Floyd Rose Spring Tension:** Adjust the tremolo claw screws and spring tension to precisely balance the bridge parallel to the body face when the guitar is in tune.
    • *Goal:* Achieve a neutral "zero point" that maintains tuning when using the whammy bar for both dives and pulls.
  • **Locking Nut Pad Torque:** Ensure the locking nut pads are secured with the correct, even torque (tightness).

• Phase 7: Intonation and Pickup Setting

  • **Intonation Adjustment (Precision Tuning):** Tune the guitar using a professional-grade tuner to an accuracy of **+/- 0.05 cents**.
    • Adjust individual saddles until the 12th fret harmonic and the fretted 12th-fret note are in perfect agreement. This is checked multiple times.
  • **Pickup Height Setting:** Adjust the height of all pickups (neck, middle, bridge) to achieve optimal output balance, clarity, and sustain, while avoiding excessive magnetic pull (which can cause unwanted notes or sustain decay).
    • *Measurement Protocol:* Use a ruler to set the distance from the top of the pole piece to the bottom of the string (depressed at the last fret) according to manufacturer/player specifications.

• Phase 8: Final Play-Testing & Detailing

  • **Functional Play-Test:** Thoroughly play-test the guitar across the entire neck, checking for fret buzz, consistent tone, and smooth bending/vibrato.
  • **Final Polish:** Buff the body, neck, and headstock with a high-quality instrument polish/wax.
  • **Hand-off & Documentation:** Provide a written record of all final measurements (Relief, Action, Pickup Height) and adjustments performed.

Why It Matters

Even great guitars need a proper setup. A correct setup enhances tone, comfort, stability, and expressiveness—turning a good instrument into one that responds perfectly to your playing style. Turning a good play into a great play.