A guitar setup is a handful of small adjustments that decide how a guitar plays: how far the strings sit above the frets, whether notes buzz, and whether chords stay in tune as you move up the neck. Each adjustment changes the next one, so the order matters as much as the numbers.
This page puts the free setup guides on this site in that order. Start with the step you are on, or jump to the problem you can hear.
Quick answer: Fit the strings you plan to keep and tune to pitch. Then check neck relief, then string height at the bridge, then pickup height, and set intonation last. Measure before every change, change one thing at a time, and write the numbers down.
The setup order
1. Strings and tuning
Relief, string height and intonation all depend on the string gauge and the tuning you use. Fit the set you will actually play, tune to pitch, and let new strings stretch in before you measure anything. The guitar string gauge chart covers electric and acoustic sets and what to recheck after a gauge change.
2. Neck relief (the truss rod)
Relief is the slight forward bow of the neck under string tension. It sets the clearance in the middle of the neck, so it comes before string height. Measure it with a stated method before you touch the truss rod, then turn in small steps and give the neck time to settle. Truss rod adjustment explains which way to turn and when to stop.
3. String height (action)
With relief set, adjust string height at the bridge: the saddle screws on most electrics, the saddle itself on an acoustic. Write down which fret you measured at and the units, because charts measure at different frets. Guitar action height has a millimetre and inch chart, and the action height calculator suggests a starting height for your guitar and playing style.
4. Pickup height (electric guitars)
Pickup height is measured from the top of the pole piece to the underside of the string, with the string held down at the last fret, so it comes after string height. Pickups set too close can pull on the strings and upset sustain and intonation. The pickup height calculator gives a starting gap for your guitar.
5. Intonation
Intonation comes last because every earlier change moves it. On each string, compare the note fretted at the 12th fret with the 12th-fret harmonic. If the fretted note is sharp, move that saddle away from the neck; if it is flat, move it toward the neck. The intonation checker works through all six strings with your tuner.
Then check it again
Retune, play the same passage you played before you started, and recheck relief the next day. A record of your final numbers turns the next setup into a quick check, and the new guitar day checklist has a printable sheet for it.
Start from the problem you can hear
| What you notice | Check first | Read |
|---|---|---|
| Buzz on open strings only | Nut slot height | Fret buzz guide |
| Buzz on the first few frets | Too little relief, or a back-bow | Truss rod adjustment |
| Buzz in the middle of the neck | Relief, then string height | Fret buzz guide |
| Buzz above the 12th fret or on one fret | Saddle height, or a high fret | Fret buzz guide |
| Strings feel high or hard to press | Relief first, then string height | Guitar action height |
| Chords sound out of tune higher up | Intonation | Intonation checker |
| One pickup much louder than the others | Pickup height | Pickup height calculator |
| You changed string gauge or tuning | Relief, string height, intonation | String gauge chart |
| A new guitar, nothing obviously wrong | Inspect and measure before adjusting | New guitar day checklist |
Match the symptom first, then make one change at a time. Most wasted setup time goes on adjusting the bridge when the nut is the problem, or turning the truss rod when one high fret is to blame.
Look up the numbers for your guitar
Factory specs depend on the maker, the model, the fingerboard radius and where the measurement is taken, so a number from one chart can mislead on another guitar. These tools start from your model:
- Setup specs lookup: relief, string height, pickup height and string gauge for 30+ models, with the maker's published figures where they exist.
- Stratocaster factory setup specs and Telecaster factory setup specs: Fender's published chart, with the method behind each number.
- String gauge recommendation tool: a set to suit your guitar, playing style and tuning.
- Factory specs vs actual specs: how to compare your measurements with the published ones.
Setup guides for your guitar
The order above is the same on every guitar; the hardware and the numbers are not. Each of these guides covers one guitar from start to finish:
- Fender: Stratocaster, Telecaster, Jazzmaster, Jaguar and Mustang
- Squier: Squier guitars, Squier Stratocaster and Squier Telecaster
- Gibson and Epiphone: Les Paul, SG and Epiphone
- Other electrics: PRS, Ibanez, ESP and LTD
- Acoustic: any acoustic, Martin, Taylor, Yamaha and Takamine
- Bass: Fender bass, Precision Bass, Jazz Bass and Squier bass
When a technician is the better call
Some jobs remove material or need specialist tools, so they are hard to undo: cutting or replacing a nut, levelling or replacing frets, and sanding an acoustic saddle. A truss rod that will not turn or no longer changes the relief, a bridge lifting from an acoustic top, or a crack also needs a technician.
How much a guitar setup costs lists what a full setup should include, with published shop prices from the UK and the US, so you can compare quotes.
Neck shape is not a setup job
No adjustment changes the shape of a neck. If a neck feels too thick, too thin or too wide in your hand, compare profiles before you buy. Fender neck profiles explains C, V, D and U shapes, neck depth and nut width, and what to check when you try a guitar.
FAQ
What order should you set up a guitar in?
Strings and tuning first, then neck relief, then string height, then pickup height, and intonation last. Each step changes the ones after it, so working out of order means repeating adjustments.
How often does a guitar need a setup?
There is no fixed schedule. Check it when you change string gauge or tuning, after a big change in humidity, or when you notice buzz, a change in string height or chords going out of tune. If the guitar still plays comfortably and stays in tune, leave it alone.
Can I set up my own guitar?
Yes. Relief, string height, pickup height and intonation are adjustments most owners can make with a tuner, a ruler, feeler gauges and the right screwdriver and truss rod key. Measure first, make small changes, and stop if a part resists or the result does not make sense. Nut and fret work is usually better left to a technician.
Do new guitars need a setup?
Some do and some do not. Inspect the guitar, tune it and play it before you change anything. If it stays in tune and plays comfortably, it may need nothing at all.
Does changing string gauge mean a new setup?
Often a small one. Heavier strings pull harder on the neck and can add relief, and lighter strings can reduce it. A big change in gauge can also bind or rattle in the nut slots. Recheck relief, string height and intonation after the change.