How do you set up a guitar?

Question

I was wondering how do you setup a guitar to get a low profile for playing?

I usually get buzz coming from my strings when I try and lower the saddles on the Fender Strat.

Any help would be great. Cheers.

Answer 1

I suggest you take it to your local guitar shop and have them do it. Their work will be gaurenteed, so you don't have to worry about making mistakes while trying to do it yourself. It shouldnt cost very much, and it will produce the results you want.

Answer 2

A low profile? SO yo want the strings closer to the fretboard? I used to own a strat, so I can help. On a saddle, there should be two screws in the front of it. You need a really small hex key to move it up and down to your liking. Just keep in mind that as raise or lower the saddle, the string tension will either tighten up or loosen, so you'll have to retune. also, since you are doing it individually, make sure each saddle matches the height of the other one, unless you want a couple lower than the others. Also, if you lower it, you may have to adjust your pickup height. It doesn't cause buzzing, it causes the sound to be really muddy. The issues of string buzzing is usually the action height from the bridge or saddles. Yes, if the saddles and the action is too low, it'll cause a buzzing because the strings move in an elliptical motion, and it's hitting the fret divider.

Answer 3

It's a bit of a balancing act to set the bridge and saddle. If you raise the bridge you can lower the saddle and so forth. Just make sure the action (distance of the strings to the frets is high enough or you will get a buzzing.) Best bet is to use a match book up by the nut at the headstock of the guitar. Set it up, then remove the matchbook and you should be very close to dead on.

Answer 4

I agree with B-Loco. Not only do you rise/lower the strings, set the neck truss rod, and dress the frets, You also have to "strobe the guitar" so that the notes are in tune all the way up the neck. To strobe the guitar, it must have the same distance from the nut to the 12th fret,as it does the 12th fret to the saddle. NOT TO THE EYE, BUT TO THE EAR. Take it to a pro, Bro.

Answer 5

If lowering the saddles creates buzzing, check the straightness of the neck. If it's set up for medium strings, putting on light gauge doesn't stress the neck enough. It'll arch instead of pull flat. Lay a metal yard stick on the neck to check for arch or bow...

Answer 6

can be quite tricky i have a st rat and a telly. take of strings.get a straight edge, longer than your guitar neck, place this on frets hold guitar op to light see if any frets are higher or lower than any other.if there is a fret is too low the low one needs a new fret that's a specialist job,the high one needs dressing down. to do this tape each side of the fret to protect finger board.from scratches , with finest wet and dry, and gently robbing the fret down, your fret needs to be round in shape at the top frequently checking to get it level..next check for relief or camber to do this put your strings on at 1st and 12 fret put a capo on each fret. if there is no movement when you press your string down,in the middle of the neck, you now need slacken your neck trousered a quarter at a turrn at a time don't hurry this cos if the neck has been straight for a along time, it can take a while to get it's camber back..next look at the saddle. tune your guitar up with a good tuner check for buzz in if you still geat a buzzhire each individual string set to approprat hight. now to check for intonation, when you pluck each string opn and u have it ok tuned play each string open and stopped at the twelth fret. you tuner should read the same note at your tuning at the fifth fret.if it's higher or lower adjust bridg scew for that particular string shorter or longer. u can buy books on how to look after yor guitar. good look and take it steady no rushing it .regards

Answer 7

You can search for tutorials online about how to do it.
As a guitarist for 25 years, I don't suggest doing it yourself. It takes a lot of practice to get it right, and it's really easy to screw up your guitar. Just lowering the saddles, or filing the nut usually wont get the job done. You have to also adjust the tension rod in the neck. That's where you can get yourself into trouble.
If you want to learn how to do it, read all you can about it and then experiment on a cheap guitar.

Answer 8

Try lowering the pickups or change your strings.

Answer 9

Buy some really quiet strings.

Answer 10

read the manuals