How To Set Up An Electric Guitar: A Complete Guide - studio lab

Why Set Up Your Guitar Yourself?

Taking your guitar to a tech for every string change makes no sense. Most things you can handle at home with a bit of patience and the right information. Lukáš Hlaváč, guitarist of Walter Schnitzelsson and experienced guitar tech, showed us the entire process in Studio Lab ep. 11 on a PSD ST model with D’Addario XT strings. Here it all is in text form.

What Is Neck Relief and Why Address It First?

How to Measure Neck Relief?

You need a feeler gauge. Put a capo on the first fret, hold the last string at the last fret, and measure the gap between the string and the top of the 8th fret. For a 9.5" radius neck the recommended value is 0.10 mm. It is not a rule. If you play hard, you can afford more relief. If you play lightly and prefer low action, the neck can be straighter.

How to Properly Adjust the Truss Rod?

The truss rod usually has two access points: behind the nut or near the first pickup. Turning away from you tightens the neck (less relief). Turning toward you loosens the neck (more relief). The rule Lukáš strongly emphasises: no more than a quarter turn at a time. The wood needs time to settle. After every quarter turn, wait and then measure.

How to Change Strings on an Electric Guitar?

Intonation is always set on new strings, so string replacement comes right after neck adjustment. On this guitar Lukáš chose D’Addario XT electric guitar strings, coated strings with protection against sweat, dust and corrosion. Consistent tone, longer lifespan.

How to Thread Strings on an ST Model Through the Tremolo Block?

On ST guitars, strings are threaded through the body via the tremolo block. Make sure the ball end sits fully at the end of the block. With the guitar unstrung it is also the perfect time for a quick fretboard and body clean.

How to Make a Locking Tuner from Regular Machine Heads?

Lukáš shows a trick to turn regular machine heads into an improvised locking tuner:

1. Pull the string through and check the ball end is fully seated
2. Grab the string at the 1st fret and pull it back 1.5 frets
3. Bend down and make one wrap over the top
4. Pull through and wind. Make the second wrap under the protruding string end

Clip the protruding ends right after winding.

How to Set Intonation at the 12th Fret?

Intonation is the heart of the whole setup. Always done on new, stretched strings and in playing position.

1. Tune the whole guitar as precisely as possible
2. Fret the string at the 12th fret
3. Compare the tone with the open tuned string. They must match

If the 12th fret is flat: move the saddle toward the fretboard to shorten the string length. If it is sharp: move the saddle away from the fretboard. The distance from nut to 12th fret must equal the distance from 12th fret to saddle. When tuning the machine heads always tune up, never down. If you overshoot, go below pitch and tune up again.

How to Properly Set Pickup Height and Saddle Height?

What Should the Pickup Height Be?

Pickups contain a strong magnet. When they are too close to the strings, the magnetic field dampens vibration. The guitar sounds odd, chords go out of tune and you get too much treble. The recommended starting point for the neck pickup is approx. 2 mm. Fret the last string and measure from the bottom of the string to the top of the magnet. The same applies to the middle and bridge pickup. Experiment by ear and according to your rig.

What Should the Saddle Height on the Bridge Be?

On an ST model each string has its own saddle on the bridge. The height affects playability and comfort. Lukáš starts the high E at 2 mm and the low E at 1.8 mm. Do not be afraid of the numbers. The key is that the distance from the top of the fret to the bottom of the string is consistent across all saddles.
Every electric guitar has a slightly different setup sweet spot. The standard values are a starting point, not a rule. Experiment – that is the whole magic of setting up your guitar at home.

What Is EverTune and Is It Worth It for Recording?

The second part of the video belongs to Jakub, who introduces the mechanical bridge EverTune. A spring system inside keeps the string in equilibrium. The guitar stays in tune even when you bend strings, use the whammy bar and play aggressively. For studio recording this is a huge advantage. Doubling guitar lines sounds precise and thick, intonation issues disappear. Find EverTune bridges in Muziker showrooms on guitars like Jackson, Charvel or ESP. Try it in person.

Frequently Asked Questions About Guitar Setup

How Often Should I Change Strings on My Electric Guitar?

It depends on how much you play and how much your hands sweat. As a general guide: with regular playing of 3 to 5 hours a week, change your strings every 1 to 2 months. Always put on new strings before recording. D’Addario XT lasts a bit longer than uncoated strings, but fresh strings for the studio are not a luxury, they are a necessity.

What If the Problem Returns After Adjusting the Neck?

New strings change the tension on the neck. After switching to a different gauge it is almost certain that the neck will shift slightly. Always check the neck relief after putting on new strings, especially if you change the gauge. A quarter turn of the truss rod is usually enough to correct it.

Do I Still Need to Take My Guitar to a Guitar Tech?

After this video and article, no. A standard setup (neck, strings, intonation, pickups) you can handle yourself. Go to a guitar tech when you need fret levelling, a deep cut in the nut or if something physically broke. For everything else you now have the tools and knowledge.