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What tools do I need?

logo33

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Hey all-

I have decided that I want to do my first build all by myself, or at least try to! What tools do I need to pick up? I have the basics like drill and screwdrivers and such. I know I need to get a soldering iron, but what else. I plan on having the super crazy stuff done for me (finish, frets, nut, and so on) by warmoth, so I really only need to wire it, asemble it, and set everything up.

Thanks,
Logan
 
the biggest thing for me was making sure i had all the screws for everything. when you need pickguard screws, pickup height adjustment screws, maybe pickup mounting ring screws, neck screws (for contoured heel or not), and screws for the tuners. all these should come with what you're ordering, but i'd check and double check. nothing's worse than starting a project just to have it delayed because you forgot 4 tiny pickup mounting ring screws. thats no fun at all.

otherwise, a screw driver and a drill should be just about all you need. soldering iron and solder too obviously.
 
logo33 said:
how important iare rulers and stuff for setting up the action?

Not that important imo, you can do it by feel

There's no right or wrong action setup, as long as it plays good to you
 
I disagree that theres no right or wrong setup,

There definately is a wrong setup, wrong intonation, wrong action, wrong truss rod adjustment.   

But I agree you can set it up by sight feel and a good tuner.  between now and getting your guitar. google guitar setup and learn about it
 
Alfang said:
I disagree that theres no right or wrong setup,

There definately is a wrong setup, wrong intonation, wrong action, wrong truss rod adjustment.   

But I agree you can set it up by sight feel and a good tuner.  between now and getting your guitar. google guitar setup and learn about it

Well he was talking about the action only. Of course you don't want it too low or too high, but there's no perfect formula for everyone, you have to feel it for yourself imo.
 
Max said:
Guitar Player's Repair Guide, by Dan Ernewine.

+1.  He also has a book more specifically about setups: How To Make Your Electric Guitar Play Great

As for tools you will need a drill and a variety of bits, several different sized screwdrivers, a soldering iron, wire cutters/strippers, a wrench for the truss rod, and whatever tools you need for adjusting the bridge you chose (they usually come with tiny allens wrenches).
 
exaN said:
Alfang said:
I disagree that theres no right or wrong setup,

There definately is a wrong setup, wrong intonation, wrong action, wrong truss rod adjustment.   

But I agree you can set it up by sight feel and a good tuner.  between now and getting your guitar. google guitar setup and learn about it

Well he was talking about the action only. Of course you don't want it too low or too high, but there's no perfect formula for everyone, you have to feel it for yourself imo.

There are mathematical limits on how low the string elevation can go, depending on the fretboard radius, the string gauge, and the number of steps you wish to bend strings, and to a great degree also, how hard you pick the strings.

Dan E knows his stuff, and its his career, but some of the stuff he says.... just total BS.  The part about needing to radius the pickup poles on a HB to match the string radius (he never heard of staggered poles I guess), the part about how the pickup screw slots need to zig-zag across the pickup (or what happens?).  And the shameless promotion of the StewMac tools that are not really needed, except if you dont know any better and just MUST have 'em.

Set can be accomplished quite accurately with a machinists ruler, marked in 1/64 inch increments, a good magnifier, a capo, and tools to fit the various adjustment points on your guitar.  If you need to set up a nut... I really like the single gauge files better than the dual gauge files.  Its not heresy to cut a slot .005 wider than a string, especially on the larger strings where you might want to try different gauges....Dan E (and Frank Ford for that matter) seem to enjoy the perfectionist approach in that regard.
 
=CB= said:
Dan E knows his stuff, and its his career, but some of the stuff he says.... just total BS.  The part about needing to radius the pickup poles on a HB to match the string radius (he never heard of staggered poles I guess), the part about how the pickup screw slots need to zig-zag across the pickup (or what happens?).

I never read that... sounds like something Kinman would come up with.  Where did Erlewine say that?
 
well that does sound very ed roman but i think i remember something about the radius and zigzag screw slots. maybe if you have supersonic bat ears like eric johnson it would make a difference but he plays a strat so he hasn't discovered that tone secret yet.
well dare i say it even ed roman can be right every once in a rare while. he likes bolt on necks, as you don't know what kind of glue or how much gap is filled with glue with a set neck.
 
exaN said:
Alfang said:
I disagree that theres no right or wrong setup,

There definately is a wrong setup, wrong intonation, wrong action, wrong truss rod adjustment.   

But I agree you can set it up by sight feel and a good tuner.  between now and getting your guitar. google guitar setup and learn about it

Well he was talking about the action only. Of course you don't want it too low or too high, but there's no perfect formula for everyone, you have to feel it for yourself imo.

I didn't and still don't see where he's asking about action only, he's talking about doing it all, which includes intonation and truss rod etc...
 
hello-

Yes, I am talking about doing it all. from the constriction of the body, to wiring the electronics, to setting the intonation and adjusting the truss rod.


Thanks,
Logan
 
dbw said:
=CB= said:
Dan E knows his stuff, and its his career, but some of the stuff he says.... just total BS.  The part about needing to radius the pickup poles on a HB to match the string radius (he never heard of staggered poles I guess), the part about how the pickup screw slots need to zig-zag across the pickup (or what happens?).

I never read that... sounds like something Kinman would come up with.  Where did Erlewine say that?

Its quoted as being from one of Dan's books... and "Inerrant Gospel Truth" over on the Les Paul forum....  I do know that StewMac lists one of the features of the radius gauges as "setting the pole pieces".  Considering Dan and StewMac are in kahootz ... the proverbial acorn didn't fall far from the tree.
 
very high brow, stuffed shirt... very "in" crowd you know... only the elite... (blechhh)
 
Alfang said:
I didn't and still don't see where he's asking about action only, he's talking about doing it all, which includes intonation and truss rod etc...

The OP's second post in this thread, or 4th post overall.

This one right here.


logo33 said:
how important iare rulers and stuff for setting up the action?
 
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