Below you will find our complete guitar setup checklist along with the customer measurement documentation and details on our 60+ point guitar inspection. This meticulous documentation is completed for every guitar setup or repaired by nyc-guitars.com. Our goal is to enable our customers to have clear documented measurements of setup parameters that affect playability. Providing measurements such as neck relief, action at various locations, bridge float, saddle height, nut slot depth, etc. allows our customers to reproduce their favorite setup over and over again for years to come by establishing a reference point for setting up their guitar perfectly each and every time. The process assists us greatly when servicing our repeat customers’ high-end or vintage instruments. Because we have all your setup parameters on file, you can be sure your setup requirements will be professional articulated and therefore accurate each and every setup for years to come. Scroll down to view the complete Guitar Setup Checklist.

NYC-Guitars.com Guitar Setup Checklist:

• Customer Name: ___________________________________________
• Address:  _________________________________________________
• Email:  ___________________________________________________
• Phone: ___________________________________________________
• Guitar Make and Model, Year: _________________________________
• Serial / Reference Number: ___________________________________
• Technician Name: __________________________________________

Received Metrics

• Height of strings at 3rd fret when guitar was received: ______________
• Height of strings at 12th fret when guitar was received: _____________
• Radius of fret board: ________________________________________
• The High E string gauge when guitar was received: ________________
• The Low E string gauge when guitar was received: ________________
• High Frets? Yes / No
• Which ones: 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
• Noticeable Marks or Defects: _________________________________
• Requirements / Requests: ____________________________________

Return Metrics

• Height of strings at 3rd fret when guitar was returned:  ______________
• Height of Strings at 12th fret when guitar was returned: _____________
• Radius of fret board:  ________________________________________
• The High E string gauge when guitar was returned: ________________
• The Low E string gauge when guitar was returned:  ________________
• High Frets? Yes / No : Which ones:_____________________________
• Needs new frets: Yes / No
• Noticeable Marks or Defects: _________________________________
• Notes / Observations / Follow-up: ______________________________

• Process – [_] Done | [_] Not Required

• 01. Clean, check and test electronics and internals [_] [_]
• 02. Tighten tuning keys, input jack and screws [_] [_]
• 03. Determine if there are high frets [_] [_]
• 04. Level, crown and polish high frets [_] [_]
• 05. Adjust neck so it is as straight as guitar will allow [_] [_]
• 06. Lubricate Nut (Nut Sauce / LubriKit / LuberKit) [_] [_]
• 07. Clean and/or Oil Fret Board [_] [_]
• 08. Fit New Strings [_] [_]
• 09. Set Action to desired height, tune guitar and set intonation [_] [_]
• 10. Set bridge radius to radius of fret board if needed [_] [_]
• 11. Set Pickup height [_] [_]
• 12. Adjust bridge and whammy bar (electric) / File and lower bridge (acoustic) [_] [_]
• 13. Cut new bridge or shim bridge up (acoustic) [_] [_]
• 14. Check Bracing (acoustic) [_] [_]
• 15. Clean and polish guitar, ready for collection [_] [_]

• Tech Notes / Issues: ________________________________________

• Hour and Date of Completion: _________________________________

• Technician Signature:  _______________________________________

• Customer Receipt Sign-off: ___________________________________

 

NYC-Guitars.com Customer Measurement Documentation:

• Customer Name: ___________________________________________
• Date of Completion:  ________________________________________
• Email:  ___________________________________________________
• Phone: ___________________________________________________
• Guitar Make and Model, Year: _________________________________
• Serial / Reference Number: ___________________________________
• Technician Name: __________________________________________

 

1) Neck relief at 8^th fret: __________________________________________

2) Low E action at 1^st fret: ________________________________________

3) High E action at 1^st fret:  _______________________________________

4) Low E action at 12^th fret: _______________________________________

5) High E action at 12^th fret:  ______________________________________

6) Low E action at 17^th fret w/ capo:  ________________________________

7) High E action at 17^th fret w/ capo: ________________________________

8) Bridge Float: _________________________________________________

 

9) String Height at Saddle:

• E: _________________________________________________
• A: _________________________________________________
• D: _________________________________________________
• G: _________________________________________________
• B: _________________________________________________
• E: _________________________________________________

 

10) Intonation Check:

• E: _________________________________________________
• A: _________________________________________________
• D: _________________________________________________
• G: _________________________________________________
• B: _________________________________________________
• E: _________________________________________________

 

11) String spacing at nut: _________________________________________

12) String spacing at bridge: _______________________________________

13) Nut slot depth: _______________________________________________

14) Tuning stability variance: ______________________________________

15) Fret buzz: __________________________________________________

16) Output jack torque: ___________________________________________

17) Tuning machines torque: _______________________________________

18) Bridge pickup height on High E: __________________________________

19) Bridge pickup height on Low E: __________________________________

20) Neck & middle pickup height on High E: ___________________________

21) Neck & middle pickup height on Low E: ___________________________ 

 

NYC-Guitars.com Guitar Setup Checklist and 60+ Point Setup Inspection 

Maintenance & Detailing:

1. Check body front for cracks or damage.
2. Check body back for cracks or damage.
3. Check body sides for cracks or damage.
4. Check headstock for cracks or damage.
5. Check and tighten tuning machines/keys.
6. Check nut height, slot depth and lubricate.
7. Polish and wax painted surfaces (using poly & nitro safe products only).
8. Wax back of neck for optimal playability.
9. Inspect frets for high spots and wear. Polish frets to a high shine.
10. Inspect side dots.
11. Inspect inlays. Reseat any loose inlays.
12. Inspect cutaways.
13. Inspect neck joint for possible cracks
14. Inspect pickguard and cover plates.
15. Humidify guitar in 45% humidity chamber if necessary.

 

Setup:

1. Adjust truss rod to manufacturer recommended (or customer requested) relief.
2. Setup bridge float to manufacturer recommended (or customer requested) height.
3. Setup saddle height to manufacturer recommended (or customer requested) height.
4. Shave down or shim up bridge saddle and/or nut on acoustic guitars as required.
5. Lubricate tuning machines for proper operation
6. Adjust pickup height to manufacturer recommended (or customer requested) height.
7. Check output jack for proper operation and tighten if necessary
8. Check strap buttons and tighten if necessary
9. Check that all screws and hardware and mounted and tightened properly
10. Perform shielding requirement test by subjecting the guitar to a shake, rattle and vibration test

 

Playability:

1. Stretch new strings.
2. Check for optimal tuning stability and adjust as necessary.
3. Check all open strings for string buzz.
4. Re-check string action height and set to manufacturer’s recommended or customer requested specs.
5. Re-Check intonation with strobe tuner and adjust as needed.
6. Play all notes on the fretboard to check for buzzing or high frets.
7. Play half-step bends to check for fretting out.
8. Play full-step bends to check for fretting out.
9. Play a variety of chords and styles to check for comfort and playability.
10. Retune guitar

 

Electronics (If applicable):

1. Check volume and tone pots.
2. Check output jack.
3. Check pickup selector switch on all settings.
4. Test any specialized switching (Fender s-1, coil tap, etc.)
5. Check pickups for clarity.
6. Check Piezo functions (if applicable)
7. Test MIDI functions (if applicable)
8. Test push/pull pots (if applicable)
9. Test onboard tuner (if applicable)
10. Test onboard preamp and effects (if applicable)

 

Final Prep:

1. Give guitar one final polish.
2. Wax front, headstock neck, back and sides of body for a mirror-like shine and optimal paint protection. Re-check for even coverage.
3. Inspect bag or case zippers or latches.
4. Case/Gig Bag/Box Contents (If applicable):
5. Print Owner’s Manual with manufacturer recommended setup specs.
6. Complete and mail in warranty form if guitar is not yet registered.
7. Hang Tags (for new guitars only).
8. Certificate of Authenticity (for new guitars only).
9. Include NYC-Guitars.com 1-Year Setup & Repair warranty card.
10. Bumper Stickers (for new guitars only).
11. Check tremolo arm and spring.
12. Tighten tremolo/bridge cover.
13. Document truss rod wrench and hex key sizes for future reference.
14. Check bridge pins. Replace worn out ones.
15. Power supply (if applicable).
16. Tighten strap locks (if applicable).
17. Humidifier (if applicable).

 

Packaging / Shipment (If applicable):

1. Pack guitar into shipping box with proper packing material.
2. Insure guitar for full value.
3. Verify correct shipping address and tracking information.
4. Include completed guitar setup checklist in packaging material.

 

For any additional questions or comments regarding the guitar setup checklist, feel free to contact us via email or text!