Electric Guitar Bridge Setup

The other three are the american series bridge which is a modern day two pivot bridge.

Electric guitar bridge setup.

Setting up a guitar involves working with the bridge nut and neck adjustments to dial in the playing action to suit the player. On an acoustic guitar you may have to shim or sand the bridge saddle. Turn the guitar on its side close one eye and look down the neck from the headstock towards the bridge left. Sight a guitar neck.

The fender style bridge allows you to adjust each saddle height individually. When adjusting these it s up to you to maintain or adjust them to the proper radius. Because the truss rod will affect the middle of the neck most be sure to pay. And a locking tremolo such as the american deluxe or floyd rose locking tremolos.

Set the relief capo the first fret and press the 15th fret with your finger then use your feeler gauge on the 8th fret to measure the height. I ve been blown away by the improvements in playability and sound clarity that come from minor adjustments to the guitar s setup. For more information about how to set up a floating or floyd rose bridge please go to the floating or floyd rose bridge page. A gibson style bridge has two bridge posts that allow you to adjust only the bass and treble side of the bridge.

Stratocaster guitars can have four distinctive types of bridges. If it s not adjusted correctly notes down the neck of the guitar will be flat or sharp. These are the basic steps to setting the action on various styled electric guitar bridges. Use a straightedge for added assurance pictured.

Tune your guitar with an electric tuner. On an electric guitar this is a matter of twisting the appropriate screws. Below you will find all the information you need to setup your guitar the right way. A playable guitar that sounds amazing requires a setting up process only then will your guitar play well.

Sight the neck please read the beginning of this article for thorough instruction on sighting your guitar s neck. Put the rest of the guitar in standard e a d g b e tuning. Tools a machinist rule a screwdriver or hex key electric guitar calipers a shim stock or stationary belt sander acoustic guitar. First sight the neck just to see what condition it s in.

The most well known bridge is the vintage style synchronized tremolo. Tune the guitar to pitch. A guitar s action can also be adjust at the bridge. Tune the guitar to desired pitch.

The bridge elongates or shortens the length of your strings. Strum the top string next to the tuner and adjust the tuning knobs until it s an e. The non tremolo hardtail bridge. Adjusting your guitar action and bridge height is one of the most common guitar setup tips that you will learn with this easy and simple guitar setup guide for gibson fender and floyd rose style guitar bridges.

With the guitar on its side look down the fingerboard edge for overall straightness back bow relief forward bow and humps as well as high or uneven frets. Most guitars have either a fender or gibson style bridge. This guide serves only if you want a quick action adjustment and presumes your truss rod and nut are set up correctly.