Re: Advice on a second attempt at a proper set up
Much of a set up is dependent on the order that the various steps are taken in. IMHO the order should be as follows:
1. Tune up all strings.
2. Set the bridge in the correct place on the top. The fast way to check that is to play the bell tone on the 12th fret and compare it to the fretted note,on the same string. Do this on all four courses of strings. This will get you pretty close to the sweet spot, but we will address this again later.
3. Adjust the truss rod. This is pretty much a personal preference thing. I personally like a zero to minimal offset. Check this with a slotted straight edge and look for the gap under the straight edge at the 7th or 8th fret. Again different people do it differently, but either one will work.
4. Set the string height at the first fret. Check the string height on all strings and use the LOWEST string as your reference to set the others. Now that the strings are all on the same plane, you can raise or lower the action at the first fret by either cutting a new nut, shimming the nut or sanding the bottom down. Only use the correct slot files to cut the nut slots. It is highly recommended that if you are not familiar with this process, to not putz with it. It is the MOST difficult part of a set up. What is the correct height here? Again it is personal preference.
5. Set the action to your preferred neight at the 12th fret by adjusting the bridge.
6. Check the intonation by playing it and make the final bridge placement. This can mean almost microscopic placement changes, so if you have OCD as I do this can take a while.
BUZZES: if the buzz is on any of the first 5 or 6 frets look first to the nut end of the instrument for the culprit. If the buzz is on the last frets, look first to the bridge end. That is not to say that the problem must be there, it’s just that it’s the most probable place to be. Some other possibilities are the nut slots are too wide or too tight (from using the wrong size file to cut the slot). Take the tailpiece cover off and see if the buzz goes away. NOT an uncommon problem. Check the washers on the tuners. Are any of them loose?
O.K., now you know why a good set up costs so much. Good luck.
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