Basic Setup Procedure

Published by automattack,

Tune the guitar to pitch with old strings, measure relief and action and note these values, adjust relief and action to desired values if possible, check to see if the guitar plays.

Then remove the strings and proceed with the setup:

  1. level, crown, polish the frets if you're doing that
  2. tighten all hardware
  3. clean electronics
  4. clean and lubricate moving parts (except sealed tuners)
  5. block and egg frets (if you didn't level, crown, polish)
  6. clean and polish whole instrument (it's easy to get under the strings when they're not on)
  7. restring and tune to pitch
  8. stretch strings, tune (x3 or until strings are stretched)
  9. check and set neck relief, note the measurement
  10. check and set action, note the measurement
  11. check nut slot string height, correct if necessary
  12. play every note on the guitar, correct any issues
  13. set pickup height (if electric guitar)
  14. set intonation
  15. play every note on the guitar, correct any issues
  16. clean and polish whole instrument