Electric Guitar Setup

Below you will find all the information you need to setup your guitar the right way.

Electric guitar setup. Tools a machinist rule a screwdriver or hex key electric guitar calipers a shim stock or stationary belt sander acoustic guitar. A guitar set up balances the numerous settings that affect tuning tone and playability. On an acoustic guitar you may have to shim or sand the bridge saddle. Setting up a guitar can be a daunting undertaking even to seasoned players.

A playable guitar that sounds amazing requires a setting up process only then will your guitar play well. Guitars and wooden stringed instruments in general are malleable. Use a straightedge for added assurance pictured. In part 2 we will fine tune your string height so your guitar is perfectly tailored to your playing style.

With the guitar on its side look down the fingerboard edge for overall straightness back bow relief forward bow and humps as well as high or uneven frets. Set the relief capo the first fret and press the 15th fret with your finger then use your feeler gauge on the 8th fret to measure the height. To do this we will measure your guitar neck s action and adjust it for both fender and gibson style bridges. In part 1 of the guitar setup series we adjusted the truss rod to set the neck relief.

If you need electric guitar repair you should explore our electric guitar luthier services. Sight the neck please read the beginning of this article for thorough instruction on sighting your guitar s neck. Look down the profile of the fretboard on both the bass and treble sides of the neck is the neck straight or is there a curve. A professional electric guitar setup aside how well you play is how your guitar delivers the richest sound quality.

On an electric guitar this is a matter of twisting the appropriate screws. Remove the truss rod cover. A guitar s action can also be adjust at the bridge. Sight a guitar neck.

Setting up a guitar involves working with the bridge nut and neck adjustments to dial in the playing action to suit the player. Tune the guitar to pitch. First sight the neck just to see what condition it s in. I ve been blown away by the improvements in playability and sound clarity that come from minor adjustments to the guitar s setup.