How to Set up Your Electric Guitar Correctly

Guitar players know the correct setup improves their comfort. However, most guitars need adjustments after leaving the factory. The manufacturer may not have done any setup, leaving that up to the guitar player. The setup may have been done, but the guitar moved around during transport, and the process must be completed again. 

Setting up the guitar ensures proper intonation. Unwanted noises or crackling won't be an issue because the strings won't buzz against the fretboard. Nobody wants this because the metallic sound made when this happens is not pleasing. 

Check the string height. If the distance between the fretboard and strings is significant, getting an electric guitar to make the desired sounds is difficult. Furthermore, the setup process ensures the guitar will remain in tune when notes are played along the fretboard. How should an electric guitar be set up? 

Nut Height

Every electric guitar has a nut or small piece that rests between the neck and the headstock. This nut has six slots that hold the strings to ensure they remain adequately spaced and the tuning is stable. If the depth of the nut slots is off, they must be adjusted. Press down on the third fret and check the distance between the first fret and the string. See if the feeler gauge will slide between the two without touching either. If the gauge snags or there is a significant gap, the guitar is not correctly set up. Feeler gauges come in different sizes. An electric guitar needs a feeler gap of 0.15 to 0.20mm spacing. 

Neck Relief

The neck curvature must be adjusted to match the string gauge. The guitar neck must also have a slight bow. To determine whether the bow is sufficient, press on the first fret and the guitar part where the neck and body meet. On an electric guitar, this would be the first and fifteenth frets. While pressing down, check the seventh fret to see how much space is above it. The distance here should be between 0.10 to 0.25 mm.

A capo makes this process easier. It sits on the first fret. The guitar player then presses on the fifteenth fret and uses the feeler gauge to check the measurement at the seventh fret. A large gap means the neck must be tightened to increase the bow in the middle. Altering the bow will bring the strings closer together. However, if the feeler gauge doesn't pass through this space, the neck must be loosened with the truss rod on the guitar's headstock. 

Bridge Height

Electric guitars need a 1.8mm gap between the fret top and string bottom at the twelfth fret on the bass side. On the treble side, this gap should only be 1.4 mm. Adjust the bridge by tightening or loosening the screws on either side of the bridge. 

Saddle Adjustments

Six saddles are on the bridge of an electric guitar, and each saddle adjusts a string's height. Tune the guitar using harmonics and starting on the low E-string's twelfth fret. Press down on this fret and play the note to see if it is in tune. If not, the guitar must be set again. Move the saddle toward the neck when the tuner reports the note is too low.

Adjusting an electric guitar takes time and practice. Work with a luthier to learn the process. In addition, recognize that each guitar is different and the tuning process will be different, too. With this information, any player can tune their guitar in no time.