Solo JM Style DIY Electric Guitar Kit
Copyright © 2011 Solo Music Gear. All rights reserved
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v1.02
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winds on the tuning post helps to keep your strings from slipping and/or stretching, and therefore keeps your
strings in tune. Repeat this process for all six strings. You will adjust the height of the bridge in the 'Set Up'
section.
Once all the strings are installed and brought up to pitch using a tuner, you are ready to move on to 'Setting
Up the Guitar'.
6. TUNING AND SETUP
Tuning a 6-string guitar:
The open strings of a guitar, from the thickest to thinnest, in standard tuning are:
•
E (2nd octave)
–
the thickest (or lowest sounding) string - is the 6th string
•
A (2nd octave)
–
is the 5th
•
D (3rd octave)
–
is the 4th
•
G (3rd octave)
–
is the 3rd
•
B (3rd octave)
–
is the 2nd
•
E (4th octave)
–
the thinnest (or highest sounding) is the 1st string.
There are different methods to tune a guitar. Using a digital tuner is the easiest way. However, it is good to
learn tuning (and checking the accuracy of tuning) by ear with natural harmonics, unisons, octaves etc.
Guitar playability and intonation depends on its setup, so you may want to spend some time mastering the
necessary skills
–
be persistent in finding the optimal action (string height), neck relief and intonation
throughout the entire neck.
Adjusting Strings Height:
String height is adjusted by the bridge height of tune-o-matic bridge. You may use a flat screwdriver to
turn the adjustable studs
–
turning the stud clockwise sets the bridge lower, turning it counterclockwise
sets it higher. The saddles are already pre-notched to match neck radius. Inspect the notches and if they
have any sharp edges smooth them down with a fine needle file or fine sandpaper to prevent string
breaking. Thicker strings need more room for vibration without “buzzing” (touching frets) so the bridge
must be set up a bit higher on bass (wound) strings side. Low action allows easier fretting and faster
playing. Recommended measurements for electric guitar with low action:
For the 1st String (the thinnest)
–
height at the 1st fret: 0.01” –
0.016” (0.25 –
0.4mm); at the
12th fret: .063” –
.078” (1.6
- 2mm).
For the 6th String (the thickest)
–
height at the 1st fret: 0.016” –
0.024” (0.4 –
0.6mm); at the 12th
fret: .078” –
.01” (2 –
2.5mm).
The height at the first fret can be adjusted by cutting deeper slots for strings at the nut. However, it
