Tune o matic setup guide

A string slot that is too deep can choke the string and impede clarity. Also, you should not file straight across, but rather tilt the file back to the stoptail so the string jumps off of the front edge of the saddle. Then round over this angle so the saddle also does not cut into the string. This would obviously be a repair and therefore an additional cost beyond the setup. Most of the time, you will find that the saddles are matching the fretboard radius and only need to be adjusted for action height.

To do this, you will tune the guitar, and then suppress the first fret and read the string action height at the 12 th fret. You can then either raise or lower the thumbwheels until you reach the desired string action height. The rest of the center strings should evenly flow with this radius if it matches the radius gauge.

After the string action is set, you then adjust the stoptail. You want the strings to have a clear shot to the bridge saddles after coming out of the stoptail holes.

You might find that the strings do in fact clear the back edge of the bridge even with the stoptail posts slammed all the way down. If this is the case, then you are good to go. If the strings do not clear the back edge of the bridge, then you will want to raise the stoptail posts up until they do.

Dry fretboards are not your friend. Rosewood and ebony fretboards are non-lacquered and require a bit of care to keep them sweet. Lemon oil is most commonly used to help re-moisten the fretboard as well as clean it.

Let the oil soak in and it will stop the fretboard from shrinking or becoming brittle. Your fingerboard is set at a certain radius curvature - so the strings have got to match it, right? If not, this means that some strings will be held closer to the frets than their neighbours.

Here you can see what some down pressure over time can lead to. Whip off that truss rod cover. On Les Paul copies you may find a hex nut that requires an Allen key. Mark its current location with a CD pen for reference. Pick a string gauge, a tuning and string it up. With the strings tuned, you are presenting the neck with a steady forward pull and we need to counteract this to a certain degree with the truss rod. Clever, eh? This is how you get a handle on it. Stick a capo on the first fret, press down on the 15th fret and then use the straight string as a guide to see how bent forward the neck is.

The feeler gauge is put over the eighth or ninth fret underneath the string -. So, how do you change that? Righty tighty, lefty loosey. The best electric guitar strings. Next up is checking the nut. You should have.