Solo BC Style DIY Electric Guitar Kit
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v1.02
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out the electronics: plug it in with a cable to the amp and see if all switches and pots are working
properly by slightly tapping the magnetic poles of each pickup with a screwdriver.
STEP 6 – Install the two back cavity covers.
STEP 7 – Attach the neck to the body using 4 screws with a neck plate and a setter.
STEP 8 – Before stringing your guitar, apply some oil to the Rosewood fingerboard to protect it from possible
shrinking and cracking. Tung oil or Linseed oil work well, or it’s OK to use Walnut or Olive oil. One thin layer is
enough. Wipe the fingerboard thoroughly with a clean cloth.
STEP 9 – Install the strings by inserting them through the holes on the back of the tailpiece, over the bridge
saddles. There are a few different ways to wrap the strings around the post of a tuning head. When threading
the string through the post hole, bring it tight before wrapping it in the opposite direction of the threading,
under and then back over the string and around the post, holding it tight as you tighten to pitch. Wrapping
each string around two-three times should be enough.
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 wa y. 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.
