Guitar Setup Measurements

Guidelines for key measurements in guitar setup

As the two big guitar manifactures (Fender & Gibson) are based in America most guitar setup measurements are given in inches rather than in millimetres.

Neck Relief

Gibson, Strat & Tele Style Electric Guitars

Put a capo on the first fret and fret the string at the 17th fret, there should be a small gap between the bottom of the string (which is acting as a straight edge) and the top of the 7th fret.

Electric Guitars; between 0.005″ and 0.012″

String Height

Strat & Tele Style Electric Guitars

With capo still on the first fret, the distance between the bottom of the guitars strings and the top of the 17th fret.

Between 3/32″ and 1/8″

Set the height for the 1st and 6th string and then use a radius gauge which matchs the radius of your fret board to set the other strings.

Gibson Style Electric Guitars

With capo still on the first fret, the distance between the bottom of the guitars strings and the top of the 12th fret.

Bass string approx. 5/64″

Treble strings approx. 3/64″

Nut Height

Strat & Tele Style Electric Guitars

Measure the distance between the bottom of the strings and the top of the 1st fret.

Approx. 0.020″

Gibson Style Electric Guitars

Measure the distance between the bottom of the strings and the top of the 1st fret.

Bass string approx. 0.030″

Treble strings approx. 0.015″

Pickup Height

Gibson, Strat & Tele Style Electric Guitars

Fret the last note and measure between the bottom of the strings and the top of the pole pieces of the pickup

Bass string approx. 1/8″

Treble strings approx. 3/32″