Setting up Guitars
My holy grail of Setup Guitars two expensive two inexpensive
Setting up acoustic guitar
Step 1 - Adjust the Neck
Step 2 - Lower the strings at the nut
Step 1 - Adjust the Neck
You can tighten and loosen them to bend the neck. Tightening it puts a bow in the neck, loosening it puts a hump in the neck.
You can tighten and loosen the rod to bend the neck. Tightening it puts a bow in the neck, loosening it puts a hump in the neck
The Point
Step 2 - Lower the strings at the nut
Step 1 - Adjust the Neck
Make the Guitar easiest to play and sound the best it can!
Step 2 - Lower the strings at the nut
Step 2 - Lower the strings at the nut
Step 3 - Change and or lower the bridge
Lower the strings at the nut till they look like this. You can file each slot or file the bottom. My Goal is around .010 inch between the string and fret one for a steel string, .012 for a nylon string
Step 3 - Change and or lower the bridge
Step 4 - Lower the Bridge to get strings lower
Step 3 - Change and or lower the bridge
Replacing a cheap plastic bridge will make the guitar sound much better and make the setup more stable over time
Step 4 - Lower the Bridge to get strings lower
Step 4 - Lower the Bridge to get strings lower
Step 4 - Lower the Bridge to get strings lower
The height at the 12 fret I set between .060 and .090. The lowest the guitar can handle. The lower the better. This makes the guitar much easer to play but also has softer sound with less harmonics. The Next step offsets this to get volume and brightness back..
Step 5 - Slot the pin holes
Step 4 - Lower the Bridge to get strings lower
Step 4 - Lower the Bridge to get strings lower
This makes every guitar sound better. The string now rests on the bridge wood only, The pin is can actually be removed ant the string will stay.
Also cut a slot in the top for the string to lay in , this increased the angel of the string on the Bridge and will give more sustain, volume and overtones. A brighter sound.
Step 6 - Check the Innotation of each string
Step 6 - Check the Innotation of each string
Step 6 - Check the Innotation of each string
Check that the Guitar is in tune with open strings and each string produces the same note one octave higher at the 12th fret
Step 7 - Fine tune the guitar with nut pins
Step 6 - Check the Innotation of each string
Step 6 - Check the Innotation of each string
Pin material and manufacturer make a huge difference in the sound. Cheap plastic is always replaced. Bone tends to be the best but it can be expensive $50 for set,
Ebony close cost under $20,
Plastic from $7.00 to $15.
Nothing here is assured you have to experiment to get the sound you want.
Step 8 - Put on a new set of strings
Step 6 - Check the Innotation of each string
Step 8 - Put on a new set of strings
I usually put on Med Top Light Bottoms
or
Light Strings.
I always give you the box so you know what kind of strings are on there. You can often improve the sound using Coated Strings i leave this up to you do. DAddario has many to pick from White and Black Phosphor Bronze usually work the best for most guitars
Step 9 -Clean and Polish guitar
Step 11 -Pay me when you pick it up
Step 8 - Put on a new set of strings
Clean guitar, and Fret Board. Polish Guitar and Oil Fret Board and Bridge with a good lemon oil.
Step 10 -Set it sit a while
Step 11 -Pay me when you pick it up
Step 11 -Pay me when you pick it up
Remeasure and check that nothing has changed, Tweak sound with changing pens if needed.
Step 11 -Pay me when you pick it up
Step 11 -Pay me when you pick it up
Step 11 -Pay me when you pick it up
ALL THIS STARTING AT $50 PLUS PARTS
More for guitar with issues like fret work, re- gluing or tuner work