Monoprice INDIO - Checking Your Guitars Setup

7
CHECKING YOUR GUITAR'S SETUP
Perform the following steps to check your guitar's setup. The guitar should
be tuned after each adjustment and before beginning the next step.
1. Replace the strings if desired. Refer to the STRING REPLACEMENT
section for details on how to change the strings.
2. Use a capo to fret all the strings at the 1st fret, then fret the 6th
string (low E) at the last fret. Use a feeler gauge to measure the
distance between the string and the top of the 8th fret. The gap
should be about 0.010" (0.25mm). If there is not enough gap, you
will need to increase the neck relief by loosening the truss rod. If
there is too large of a gap, you will need to reduce relief by
tightening the truss rod. See the NECK ADJUSTMENT section for
details on how to adjust the truss rod.
3. Use a ruler with markings every 1/64" or 0.5mm to check the
unfretted action (string height) for the 1st and 6th strings at both
the 1st and 12th frets. The amount of action is mostly a matter of
personal preference. If the action is too high, it will be difficult to
play, but if the action is too low, the strings will buzz against the
frets.
The ideal distance between the bottom of the 1st string (high E)
and the top of the 1st fret should be about 1/32" (0.8mm), while the
distance between the bottom of the 6th string (low E) and the top
of the first 1st fret should be about 1/64" (0.4mm).
The ideal distance between the bottom of the 1st string (high E)
and the top of the 12th fret is about 5/64" (2.0mm), while the
distance between the bottom of the 6th string (low E) and the top
of the 12th fret should be about 3/64" (1.2mm).
Refer to the BAR TAILPIECE , HARDTAIL BRIDGE , or WILKINSON
BRIDGE sections for details on how to adjust the string height for
each individual model.