Solo BC Style DIY Electric Guitar Kit
Copyright © 2011 Solo Music Gear. All rights reserved
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v1.02
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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
needs a very precise job not to spoil the nut. If you are not sure that you can do it properly, stay with a
factory pre-cut nut.
A higher string action makes the guitar harder to play, yet some musicians may prefer it. Tailpiece height can
regulate string pressure over the bridge, changing both tone and sustain.
Adjusting Neck Relief:
The truss rod compensates for string tension and allows adjusting the neck relief. You may need such
adjustment due to changes of humidity and temperature (or if you switch strings to a different gauge).
Lay a straight edge on the frets of a properly tuned guitar and measure the clearance at the 8th fret
(alternatively you can put a capo on the first fret and press down 6th
string at 16th fret – then the height of the string at the 8th fret will show you the clearance). Optimal
relief for an electric guitar neck must be very small – around .001”- 002” (0.25 - 0.5mm). Turning
the truss rod nut (with the included Allen key) clockwise will reduce neck relief and turning it
counterclockwise will increase the relief. Be very careful with truss rod adjustments and never
turn the nut more than ¼ of a turn at a time.
Adjusting Intonation:
The “speaking length” (or “working length”) of each string can be adjusted by turning the saddle position
adjustment screw. The best intonation can be achieved when the string fretted at the 12 fret sounds
precisely an octave higher than the open string. If the fretted string sounds sharper you need to increase
the working length of the string by moving the saddle away from the neck. If it sounds flat, you need t o
shorten the working length of the string by moving the saddle towards the neck. The alternative way to
intonate your guitar is to compare a natural octave harmonic of
the open string (you can get it by touching the string exactly above the 12th and picki ng it) to the pitch of
the string fretted at the 12th fret and adjusting the saddle position so that they sound the
same. This method is less accurate because the fretted string sounds a bit sharper due to the height of
the string, and the higher the action, the sharper it gets.
