Tools For Set Up

[JasmineTea]

I think I'd like to start doing complete set ups on my guitars.

 

Would like to see a list of all the tools involved.

[thatsbunk]

these are what my bnother uses:

 

1) Credit Card

2) Phone Book

[thatsbunk]

& I need typing lessons... that would be brother:rolleyes:

[Queequeg]

Freeman Keller gives us a pretty good starter kit on the sticky, JT.

straight edge long enough to check relief & to see if the neck is true, feeler gauges, small pocket rule, (in 64s) hex keys for truss rod adjustments.

wet/dry paper, files and rasps, and a screw driver that will fit the machines on the head.

[Freeman Keller]

JT, what do you call "setup"?

 

For most shops it would be checking relief and action. For relief, straightedge, feeler gauges, truss rod nut driver or allen wrench. For action, feeler gauges and/or machinists rule and sandpaper.

 

If you want to fiddle with your nuts (ouch) you need a set of nut files in the string gauges that you use - three doubles or six singles minimum, along with the feeler gauges you got in part 1. If you want to make a nut from scratch add a razor (Axacto) saw and some sandpaper. You can either measure with a good caliper or that cool little string spacing rule from StewMac.

 

Fret crowning adds a couple of bastard files, a crowning file, some way to guard the fretboard (I use an eraser shield), masking tape, emery paper.

 

If you want to ramp your string slots and otherwise fool around with the bridge I find my Dremel and a couple of jewlers files handy. A 5 degree reamer for fixing the holes on a Martin.

 

Add the parts - new strings, a saddle blank or two, and a nut blank and you should be good to go.

 

http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1208421

[egtact]

LOL BUNK!!

 

[JasmineTea]

Originally posted by Freeman Keller JT, what do you call "setup"? For most shops it would be checking relief and action. For relief, straightedge, feeler gauges, truss rod nut driver or allen wrench. For action, feeler gauges and/or machinists rule and sandpaper. If you want to fiddle with your nuts (ouch) you need a set of nut files in the string gauges that you use - three doubles or six singles minimum, along with the feeler gauges you got in part 1. If you want to make a nut from scratch add a razor (Axacto) knife and some sandpaper. You can either measure with a good caliper or that cool little string spacing rule from StewMac. Fret crowning adds a couple of bastard files, a crowning file, some way to guard the fretboard (I use an eraser shield), masking tape, emery paper. If you want to ramp your string slots and otherwise fool around with the bridge I find my Dremel and a couple of jewlers files handy. A 5 degree reamer for fixing the holes on a Martin. Add the parts - new strings, a saddle blank or two, and a nut blank and you should be good to go. http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1208421

Thanks FK, that's what I was looking for.

[Freeman Keller]

Edit to change Razor knife to saw. You need a way to start the string slots very accurately - fret files will want to skate around on the bone.

 

I'll also quote the old carpenter's rule - measure twice, cut once. In the case of your git it is measure everything many times, write it all down, drink some coffee, walk around, measure it again - then cut. Buy the best measuring sticks you can get.

 

Understand the subtle relationship between all the different parts of your git - relief, nut, frets and action are totally interrelated. These are just a starting point, but they have been my guide.

 

What do the Experts say?

 

The Bryan Kimsey neck relief article should be manditory reading before doing anything. Good luck.