The numbers and routines that keep any guitar playing right — condensed from the FRTLZR Interactive Setup Guide. Print it, stick it on the wall of your workspace. Tech it easy.
The setup chain — always in this order
Diagnose → Restring → Neck relief → Nut → Action → Pickups → Intonation. Every step changes the ones after it. Change one thing at a time.
Target numbers
| Electric | Acoustic | Bass | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting target | 0.20–0.30 mm / 0.008–0.012" | 0.25–0.40 mm / 0.010–0.016" | 0.30–0.45 mm / 0.012–0.018" |
| Electric | Acoustic | Bass | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Treble side (high E) | 1.2–1.6 mm | 1.6–2.0 mm | 1.8–2.4 mm |
| Bass side (low E) | 1.6–2.0 mm | 2.0–2.8 mm | ≈2.4 mm |
| Electric | Acoustic | Bass | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Treble side | 0.05–0.13 mm | 0.08–0.15 mm | 0.15–0.30 mm |
| Bass side | 0.13–0.25 mm | 0.15–0.30 mm | 0.25–0.50 mm |
Fret care routine
- Every restring: wipe frets and board; check for dull or scratchy frets under the wound strings.
- When frets look matte or bends feel scratchy: polish through the grits (800 → 7000) with the fretboard protected — a mirror finish reduces friction on bends and vibrato.
- When fret ends bite your hand (dry season, older guitars): file the ends flush, round the corners, polish smooth. Protect the finish first.
- One dead or buzzy spot: fret-rocker check across three frets — a single high fret is a spot-level job, not a setup problem.
Quick diagnosis
- Buzz on open strings only → nut too low or too little relief
- Buzz frets 1–5 → add relief (loosen truss rod slightly)
- Buzz everywhere → raise action, check relief
- Buzz above fret 12 → raise saddle, or suspect a high/worn fret
- Sharp intonation up the neck → old strings or saddle position
Tools that make this easy: the FRTLZR® Fret Polishing System, the Setup Tools range, and the free Interactive Setup Guide with all specs in mm and inch.
