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Guitar Set Up 

Whether it be a budget instrument or high end custom shop model, most guitars could benefit from a set up to get the best out of them.  Most instruments are mass produced and don't have the time spent on them to make them play there best. Action is left high, the nut slots are not cut correctly and frets can be left uneven. Also, shipping from overseas and humidity can effect the set up and it never arrives with you the way it left the factory.

On arrival your guitar will be thoroughly checked over and we can discuss any problems you may be experiencing. Your guitar can then be set up to suit your needs, playing style, string gauge and tuning.  

All work at The Guitar Engineer is carried out using the latest and most accurate repair tools for the best possible outcome.   

Full Evaluation 
Check the current condition of the guitar including  neck relief, string height, nut height, electronics and fret wear.

Adjust truss rod 
Correct adjustment of the truss rod is one of the most important steps of the set up. A neck with too much relief (forward bow) will have a high action, poor intonation and possible buzzing/choking in the higher registers. Too little relief, or even a back bowed neck doesn't allow the strings to vibrate freely and can cause buzzing on the lower frets.

Adjust bridge height & radius 
Bridge height is lowered or raised as necessary and the string heights are adjusted to match the radius of the fretboard.
On Fender style bridges the strings can be individually adjusted to the correct radius. A tune-o-matic style bridge will have each saddle filed to the correct height and width. 
Acoustic guitar saddles will be shaped and sanded to the correct height and curve.

Check and adjust nut 
Though often over looked, the string height at the nut is a huge factor to the way the guitar action feels. A high action at the nut can also effect the intonation and cause strings to play out of tune in the lower frets. The string height at the first fret is measured to an accuracy of 0.001" and if needed the slots are adjusted to the correct height, width and angle, using specialist nut cutting files.

Adjust Tremolo 
If your guitar comes fitted with a tremolo this can be adjusted to suit your needs. A Floyd Rose is set to the correct angle and Fender style tremolos can be set floating, flat to the body or fully blocked.  

Tighten tuners, pots, switches, jack and all screws 

Lubricate all moving parts 
All parts that come in to contact with the strings are lubricated to reduce friction, this is especially important on a guitar with a tremolo. We add some lubrication to the tremolo, bridge, nut, string trees and any other part that touches the string. The string binding in the nut is a common cause of tuning problems 

Check Electronics
Pickup readings are taken and electronics are fully checked ensuring all components are earthed correctly. Pots & switches are cleaned if needed. ​

Clean & oil the fret board, Polish frets, Clean & polish guitar 

Re String 
Guitar is restrung with the strings of your choice. These can be supplied by you, ordered by us or we keep a good stock  D'Addario and  Elixir strings in stock.

Set Intonation 
Using a Peterson strobe tuner the intonation is set so that the open string and note fretted at the 12th fret are perfectly in tune with each other. ​

Pick Up Heights
Pickup heights are adjusted to an even output across all  positions. On acoustic guitars with under saddle pickups, string balance is checked and adjusted if needed .