The way to setup an electric guitar

If you have ever questioned how one can set-up your guitar, or your four, 5 or 6 string bass guitar yourself, you've arrived to the right place. Read on.

It's highly recommended to replace your strings before you begin, and install them properly though this isn't absolutely crucial.

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

Whether your electric guitar has a Floyd Rose or a tremolo bridge system, you'll need to block it before continuing . The most practical way if you do not have many tools at your disposal is: remove the plastic covering in the back of your guitar; next place thin coins or picks between the part of the bridge that expands downward and the body till the space between the flat part of the bridge system (just under the bridge pickup) and the body is 3/32-inch. Loosen the springs and tune to standard ‘A’ 440.

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

Electric guitar Setup Step 1: Adjust the truss rod

We do this to prevent the strings from hitting the frets- and buzzing- as they vibrate. Put a capo on the 1st fret, and press the 5th string on the 17th fret with a finger (I use the middle) while lifting the 6th string so it presses against your fingernail.

Use a spark plug calibrator to gauge the space between the top of the twelfth fret and the bottom of the fifth 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 first string) to loosen and counterclockwise (toward the sixth string) to tighten.

Note: in case 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 gap between the bottom of the strings and the top of the seventeenth fret using a 6 inch ruler in 64ths. Use the bench below merely as a general guideline: explore several possibilities till you discover the height that fits you best.

Fender Telecaster 4/64th-inch
Fender American standard, vintage 4/64th-inch
Gibson 3/64" or 4/64th-inch
Floyd Rose tremolo system4/64"
Bass guitars 3/32nd-inch

Eliminate the capo and tune to standard ‘A’ 440

Electric guitar Setup Step 2:Setting the height of the pickups

Measure the distance between the top of your pickups and the bottom of your strings (1st and 6th) while pressing at the last fret. Adjust as desired.

Fender Telecaster- sixth: 3/32nd-inch, 1st: 5/64"
Fender American standard, vintage sixth: 1/8", 1st: 3/32nd-inch
Gibson- 3/64nd-inch or 4/64nd-inch
Floyd Rose- 6th: 1/8", 1st: 3/32nd-inch. If it has humbuckers 3/32" on each side
Ultra, Plus- 1/16" on both sides
four 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 general idea is that pickups should give similar signal intensity no matter pickup or string.

Test to determine if the string-buzz and tweak as needed. Eliminating fret buzz entirely is not probable nor crucial. Set so that your electric guitar is comfortable to play, and the buzz can't be heard through the amp.

Electric guitar Set-up Step three: Setting the intonation

Tune your electric guitar with an electronic tuner, utilizing the pure harmonics at the 12th fret. When pressing the string on the 12th fret, you will notice the same pitch.

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

After elongating or shortening, tune to the pure harmonic once more and repeat till you get it the way that you like.

However, if your electric 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 tumble out. Place the plastic covering back-plate in place, and you're done!

Article Source: http://www.onlinearticlessite.com

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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