Easy methods to setup a guitar

If you've ever wondered how one can setup your guitar, or your four, 5 or six string bass guitar yourself, you have arrived to the right place. Read on.

It's advisable to replace your strings before you start, and install them properly although this isn't completely crucial.

*In all the reasons below, the head-stock is pointing to your left.

In case your electric guitar has a Floyd Rose or a tremolo bridge, you will want to dam it before continuing . One of the most sensible technique if you don't have many tools at your disposal is: remove the plastic cover in the back of your guitar; next put thin coins or picks between the part of the bridge that protrudes downward and the body till the space between the flat part of the bridge system (just below the bridge pickup) and the body is 3/32". Loosen the springs and tune to standard ‘A’ 440.

If your guitar has a Floyd Rose tremolo system, add coins or picks until the bridge is parallel to the body, then remove the springs and tune to standard 'A' 440.

Electric guitar Set-up Step 1: Adjust the truss-rod

We do this to avoid the strings from touching the frets- and buzzing- as they vibrate. Put a capo on the 1st fret, and press the fifth string at the 17th fret with a finger (I use the middle finger) while lifting the 6th string so it presses against your finger-nail.

Use a spark-plug calibrator to measure the distance between the top of the 12th fret and the bottom of the 5th string.

Fender Telecaster: 0.012
Fender American standard, vintage 0.012
Gibson: 0.004 - 0.006
Floyd Rose tremolo system: 0.012
Bass guitars: 0.014

Adjust the truss rod with an Allen key. Turn clockwise (toward the 1st string) to loosen and counterclockwise (toward the sixth string) to make tighter.

Notice: if you have access to the truss-rod just under the last fret instead of by the nut, invert directions.

Set action:

Meaning adjusting the height of the strings.
With the capo still on the 1st fret, gauge the space between the bottom of the strings and the top of the 17th fret utilizing a 6 inch ruler in 64ths. Use the table below only as a basic guideline: explore several possibilities till you discover the height that suits you best.

Fender Telecaster 4/64th-inch
Fender American standard, vintage 4/64th-inch
Gibson 3/64th-inch or 4/64"
Floyd Rose4/64th-inch
Bass guitars 3/32"

Remove the capo and tune to standard ‘A’ 440

Electric guitar Set-up Step 2:Setting the height of the pickups

Determine the space between the top of your pickups and the bottom of your strings (1st and 6th) when pressing on the last fret. Adjust as desired.

Fender Telecaster- sixth: 3/32", 1st: 5/64th-inch
Fender American standard, vintage 6th: 1/8", 1st: 3/32nd-inch
Gibson- 3/64nd-inch or 4/64nd-inch
Floyd Rose tremolo system- 6th: 1/8th-inch, 1st: 3/32nd-inch. If it has humbuckers 3/32nd-inch on each side
Ultra, Plus- 1/16th-inch on both sides
4 string bass guitars- 4th: 1/8th-inch, 1st 3/32nd-inch. Or, 1/16" on both sides.
5 and 6 string bass guitars- 6th/5th: 7/64", 1st: 5/64th-inch

The overall concept is that pickups ought to give similar signal depth no matter pickup or string.

Check to determine if the string-buzz and tweak as desired. Eliminating fret buzz entirely is not probable nor crucial. Set to ensure your guitar is comfortable to play, and the buzz cannot be heard through the amp.

Guitar Setup Step three: Setting the intonation

Tune your electric guitar with an digital tuner, using the pure harmonics at the 12th fret. When pressing the string at the 12th fret, you should notice a similar pitch.

If the tuner says it is too flat, then lower the vibrating part of the string by adjusting the saddle. If it's too sharp, extend the vibrating portion.

After extending or shortening, tune to the natural harmonic again and repeat till you get it the way that you like.

However, if your guitar has a tremolo bridge system or a Floyd Rose, put the springs back in place and tighten them slowly till the picks or coins fall out. Put the plastic covering back-plate in place, and you are done!

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Todd Masters is a guitar tech for a local music store. Here are some tips on how to guitar setup tips and tun your guitar by hear. Hope this helps you!

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