Category Archives: Setup
How to Correct a Forward Bow on a Bass
The problem here is usually that your truss rod is too loose and isn’t exerting enough pressure against the strings and the strings are having their way and pulling the neck forward. Strings on a tuned instrument exert anywhere from … Co...
How to Correct a Back Bow on a Bass
If your bass has a back bow in it’s neck, this means that the neck is arching away form the bridge of your bass. The normal cause of back bow is an over-tightened truss rod. That is, your truss rod … Continue reading →...
(3 of 3) Setting the Saddle Height on an Acoustic Guitar
Tools Ruler that measures 64ths of an inch (or millimeters) Ebony Shims Razor Blade Self Adhesive Sandpaper Sanding Block Metal Nippers Pliers Radius Gauge The third and final step in setting up an acoustic guitar is setting the action at … Co...
(2 of 3) Nut Assessment and Adjustment on an Acoustic Guitar
Tools (Hover Over Links in Tools Section to See Examples) Nut Files Feeler Gauges with a .006in (.152mm) gauge. Metal Straight Edge Clear Acetate Soldering Iron Sand Paper Flat-ended Chisel or Flathead Screwdriver Wooden or Plastic block Wood or Plas...
(1 of 3) Neck Assessment and Adjustment on an Acoustic Guitar
Tools 12 or 15 in. Metal Straight Edge Alan Wrench, Hex Key or Socket Wrench Light Piece of Paper, Paper Towel or light cloth to use as a backdrop Phillips Head Screwdriver (if your guitar has a truss rod cover) … Continue reading →...
(2 of 5) Nut Assessment and Adjustment
Tools (Hover Over Links in Tools Section to See Examples) Nut Files Feeler Gauges with a .006in (.152mm) gauge. Metal Straight Edge Clear Acetate Soldering Iron Sand Paper Flat-ended Chisel or Flathead Screwdriver Wooden or Plastic block Wood or Plas...
(3 of 5) How to Set the Action at the Bridge on an Electric Guitar
Now the first thing that should be said is that there is quite a lot of variation in electric guitar Bridges. This tutorial focuses on Fender Stratocaster/Telecaster style bridges. Tools Ruler that measures 1/64 in. ( millimeters if you’re usin...
(4 of 5) How to Set the Intonation on Your Electric Guitar
Setting Your Intonation Tools Electronic Tuner Philips Head Screwdriver Your guitar should be feeling pretty good to play at this point in the setup, but you may still be experiencing some intonation problems. In this section we’re going to add...
(5 of 5) How to Set the Pickup Height on Your Electric Guitar
Tools Screwdriver Ruler that measures 64ths of an in (or mm) There are many variations in pickups. In this tutorial, we’ll talk about setting pickup height on Fender style double coiled pickups. Now, just like setting the action at the …...
(1 of 5) How to Assess and Adjust an Electric Guitar Neck
A bowed neck can cause all sorts of problems. Poor intonation and fret buzz are among the top two. In this tutorial you’ll learn how to check the straightness of a guitar neck and make adjustments based on your assessment. … Continue rea...