Guitar Setups

My setups are simultaneously a typical “setup” to give an instrument premium playability, and also a detailed appraisal of any repair work needed. I list all that needs repairing in order of their seriousness and necessity (e.g. Structural issues like top cracks and lifting bridge before Cosmetic issues like finish dings etc). The cost of any repair work is separate to the “Setup” cost. I will get your approval first before I work on any repairs.

Acoustic Guitar Setups

Appraisal of any Repairs needed (The cost of any repairs needed are not included in a setup):

Internal braces are glued well.

Bridge plate health.

Bridge is glued well and crack free.

Bridge location is correct (Martin guitar bridges were often glued in the wrong place from approx. 1968-1979)

Cracks in the top/back/sides/neck/finish.

Frets: General fret wear like divots, quality of fret surface (are they scratched up or mirror finish).

Miscellaneous buzzes: Fret heights, nut and saddle string break angles.

Anything else I consider a problem, or potential future problem I will note.

The Setup:

Neck Relief: I adjust the truss rod to get the neck as straight as possible without buzzing. Typically 0.004-0.006”.

Action: My Spec action is 4/64th treble and 5/64th bass (this depends on saddle height) for a typical steel string guitar, 3mm/4mm for classical guitars. These heights can be adjusted to suit your playing style, but I can’t defy physics in regard to ridiculously low action. If you want 1/64” action, go somewhere else.

Nut: String slot depth is checked for each string and adjusted with individually gauged files (see pic below) to exactly match string diameter. String break off point of nut slot checked, Graphite added in slots to lubricate. If nut slots are too low which cause buzzing, I will discuss the various options for further work.

Saddle: Check top radius matches fretboard radius, bad quality shims, bottom of saddle is flat, fit in saddle slot is tight, string break point is clean.

Hardware and pickup check/cleaning/oiling/battery check etc.

After these checks I then:

Clean and oil fretboard. (Grime isn’t magical tone mojo).

Frets: Clean any surface tarnish and Polish. (see also my fret check in the appraisal section above).

Clean and polish body/neck.

Restring with new strings.

Electric Guitars Setups

(Get all the above and additionally get):

Bridge/saddle radius and intonation check

Pickup height/ evenness output check.

Electronic switch clean (tone/vol pots, Jack and pickup selector).

Electric action: While I accommodate each players setup needs, some like it supernaturally low and demand no buzzes. I can’t defy physics and I don’t play that game. If you want 1/64” action, go somewhere else.

Any electronics that need replacing (Usual suspects are potentiometers, Jack, 3 way switch) are not included in the Setup price.