A professional setup on an electric guitar requires both analytical and labor services. Every aspect of your instrument must be examined to determine a collective set of adjustments needed to make your instrument play optimally. All electric guitars should be set up properly by an experienced luthier in order to unlock the hidden potential that exists in all of these instruments.
Below is a listing and explanation of the services performed on your guitar when purchasing a setup on an electric guitar from the GitterPicker String Factory.
Glue loose frets
Manufacturing stringed instruments is a business. This means that the number of times and amount of time that a live person touches an instrument costs money. Large instrument factories can only spend a limited amount of time in the building and quality control aspects of your instrument. Inevitably, we find that almost all fretted instruments ship with loose frets. Loose frets absorb vibration which decreases the sound quality and sustain of your instrument. Our Luthier will use a very high grade adhesive solution that is designed to penetrate between the fret wire and the fingerboard. This gluing process creates a solid connection between the fret wire and the fingerboard.
Identify high frets
Many players like to have the action “as low as possible” on their instrument. Sometimes the “as possible” is not enough to satisfy your playing style. The typical reason that action can’t be lowered on a fretted instrument is due to high frets. High frets are the result of inconsistencies in the wood as well as rushed production techniques. Identifying the high frets is a task best done by a luthier. How do you know which fret is high? Or do you have low frets?
Note: If it is determined that a fret level is necesary you will be notified of this requirement and an estimate for this service will be provided.
Polish the frets
The frets of your instrument will lose their brilliance as the oils in your hands combine with the dust in the air and on your instrument. Over time you will notice a buildup on your frets. Removing this buildup is essential in keeping your instrument looking nice, feeling nice, and playing fast.
Clean and oil the fingerboard
Fingerboards made of Rosewood and Ebony typically don’t a have finish on them. The fingerboard is the part of your instrument that is susceptible to the most amount of grime. Every time you play your instrument, you are transferring oils and dirt
from your fingertips onto the fingerboard of the instrument. Your fingerboard is cleaned with naptha, and then linseed oil is applied.
Lube and tighten the tuners
Your instrument is designed to maximize vibration. At the same time, vibrations cause screws to come loose. When we service your guitar, we inspect and tighten your tuners. This is the perfect opportunity to lubricate them for smooth action.
Clean and polish
When the strings are off your instrument, this is the perfect time to remove dirt and oils from your instrument’s finish. A proper polishing isn’t as simple as wiping it with a cloth. When done right, a lot of elbow grease is expended. The result is a like-new-looking instrument.
Install new strings
So it’s simple to install new strings? Are you sure? Did you know that the way you install the strings on your guitar can dictate the amount of vibration that is produced? Proper winding on the tuning poles is crucial in a properly set up instrument.
Adjust the truss rod relief
When a truss rod is adjusted correctly there is a slight amount of relief in the neck that allows for proper clearance from the fret in front of the one you are fretting. Manufacturers suggest varying levels of neck relief. The most important thing to remember is that truss rod relief is all relative to the strings you are using as well as the setup of the instrument. When making adjustments to your guitar it is rare that adjustments are limited to the truss rod only. Truss rod adjustments should be done by an experienced Luthier.
Balance the floating bridge
A properly balanced tremolo is not an accident. It’s a time-consuming effort that is affected by the gauge of your strings, the quantity of springs, and the tension of the springs. Setting up a tremolo system takes patience and experience.
Intonate the strings 
The fact that a fretted instrument plays in tune is a great accomplishment for mankind. The length of the strings in relation to the frets is essential to making the instrument play in tune. If you’ve ever tuned the open strings on your instrument only to find that when you play a chord, the strings go out of tune, you have an improperly intonated instrument. Intonation should be done by a qualified Luthier with all of the proper tools.
Balance the pickups
Your electric instrument may sound out of tune even after you have had it setup. We will examine the space relationship between the magnets on your pickup and the strings. If the space is too small, the magnets are pulling your instrument out of tune. If the space is too big, you’re losing a lot of tone. Properly balanced pickups will make a huge difference in your sound.
Shim and/or shave the nut slots
The nut serves two purposes. First, it acts as a spacer for your strings. Second, it ensures that the strings don’t touch the first fret when played open. Production instruments almost always use a pre-fabricated nut that “generally” does the job. For the best action on your instrument you should have the nut properly fitted for your playing style. The Nut slots will need to be filed down if the strings are too high above the first fret. If the strings are too low and are buzzing on the first fret it might be necessary to place a wooden shim under the nut. In some cases it’s best to simply construct a new nut out of Micarta or bone. All of these maintenance items require a skilled Luthier and should never be attempted without the proper tools and skills.
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