Set up reference book

[Tayport]

Does anyone have a book recommendation on guitar set up? I have looked at several reviews online with various results but wondered if anyone here had a reference book that they really liked. There are some good videos out there which can be very helpful, but I also like to have a book in my hands.

 

[Al Holloway]

The Dan Erlewine books are very good. I have the guitar players repair guide which is probably more involved than you need for basic set up. Not sure if he does a simpler one. However this has everything you are likely to need and also covers some players favorite setups for you to emulate.

cheers

Al.

 

[Tayport]

The Dan Erlewine books are very good. I have the guitar players repair guide which is probably more involved than you need for basic set up. Not sure if he does a simpler one. However this has everything you are likely to need and also covers some players favorite setups for you to emulate.

cheers

Al.

Thanks Al, I did read some good reviews on Dan's book. That was one that I had been considering.

 

[JeffreyCiccone]

Agreed. Dan Erlewine's books are great. This book gave me everything I needed for basic do it yourself set ups (and then some). Highly recommended. https://www.amazon.com/Make-Your-Electric-Guitar-Great/dp/0879309989

 

[snarf]

I've got a couple of Dan Erlewine's books, and they are the best out there. I've also got one called Alfred's Teach Yourself Guitar Repair and Maintenance, and it's the book that I actually keep in my tool bag for quick reference. It doesn't have a lot on repair, but is a good reference for general setup and maintenance things (like I can never remember which direction I need to turn the truss rod). The reason I keep it in my tool bag and not the Erlewine books is because it's a good basic book, and I can find simple answers in it much quicker than I can in the others. It's also like 100 pages as compared to the Erlewine book that's probably 250 or 300 pages. If I can't find the answer in the Alfred's book, then I pull out the others. That's kind of how I view them. The Alfred's book is a good basic reference. The Erlewine books are more in-depth and go beyond just the basics.

 

[Al Holloway]

The reason I keep it in my tool bag and not the Erlewine books is because it's a good basic book, and I can find simple answers in it much quicker than I can in the others

Must admit I rarely get the book out for "which way does the truss rod go" type questions. I can get the answer from google quicker than I can find the book on the bookshelf
Oh and it's righty tighty/lefty loosie

cheers

Al.

 

[snarf]

Must admit I rarely get the book out for "which way does the truss rod go" type questions. I can get the answer from google quicker than I can find the book on the bookshelf
Oh and it's righty tighty/lefty loosie

cheers

Al.

I always remember the righty tighty thing, but is it righty tighty from the headstock looking down or from the body looking up? I think I'm a bit skittish on that one, especially, because I split the bridge on an acoustic once turning it too much. Or at least the bridge split with a pretty loud pop while I was turning it. And every bridge on it since then (even installed by someone who knows what they're doing) seems to have issues. So truss rods make me nervous.

 

[CapnDenny1]

I saw a video of a Fender custom shop guy, and he said he likes the acronym, TRAIN, to remember the order.

Tune
neck Relief
Action height
Intonation
Noodle

I assume the nut is assumed to be correct depth, and is not exactly an adjustment.

 

[Tayport]

I saw a video of a Fender custom shop guy, and he said he likes the acronym, TRAIN, to remember the order.

Tune
neck Relief
Action height
Intonation
Noodle

I assume the nut is assumed to be correct depth, and is not exactly an adjustment.

I like that, easy to remember.

 

[Shodai]

I got the Dan Erlewine book mentioned above and haven't paid for a set up since. Easy to read, very well written, highly detailed instructions. Wealth of information. As previously mentioned, it's a lengthy book, but you don't need to read it cover to cover. It also comes with a DVD with Dan demonstrating and explaining a lot of it.

I haven't read the Alfred book yet... But there's time, and I like to read.

 

[PapaRaptor]

I highly recommend Dan Erlewine's book. That said, in order to become proficient at setups and minor repairs, you have to get a feel for it. For that, I also highly recommend collecting guitars, so you always have something that needs work.

 

[PapaBear]

I'm in the Dan Erlewine camp, also!

 

[tommytubetone]

I have the Dan Erlewine book also. It's very good and I would recommend it, but I mostly use the Paul Jollineau basic set up guide for basic tune ups. He did a seminar at a BGU LIVE which I didn't attend. Somehow I was able to print out his guide. I bet somebody knows where that can be found.

 

[Tayport]

I highly recommend Dan Erlewine's book. That said, in order to become proficient at setups and minor repairs, you have to get a feel for it. For that, I also highly recommend collecting guitars, so you always have something that needs work.

I ordered Dan's book and also Alfred's yesterday. I appreciate the feedback and recommendations from everyone. I had gotten a great deal on a Monoprice Telecaster awhile back as a project guitar so that is what I will work on. The fret ends need to be dressed and the neck adjusted to start with and probably a new nut.