STRATOCASTER® SETUP

The following procedure is for the setup of the guitar with factory specifications. If the string gauge has
been changed some adjustments will be needed to compensate for the difference in string size and tension.
Modifications may further be made for individual playing styles (pick strength, fretting strength,
strumming, etc.)

Tools needed:
 Set of automotive feeler gauges (0.002in – 0.025in)
 6” steel ruler with 1/32” and 1/64” increments
 Light machine oil
 Phillips screwdriver
 Allen wrench
 Electronic chromatic tuner
 Wire cutters
 Peg winder
 Capo
 Polish and cloth
 Chapstick®
 3-In-One oil
 Tape Measure

Lubrication of string contact areas is important for proper setup. Use a bit of Chapstick ® on the string tree,
nut, and the bridge pivot points to promote smoother operation. Light machine (3-In-One) oil may be
substituted for the bridge lubrication.

1.0 SCALE LENGTH

1.1 Remove the old strings.
1.2 The following will produce distances that each bridge saddle should be positioned as
referenced from the inside of the nut to the front of each saddle.
1.3 To determine the scale length of the guitar, use a tape measure and measure from the
inside of the nut to the center of the 12th fret (not the fingerboard). Double that distance.
1.4 Place the tape measure at the inside of the nut and measure out to the distance that was
doubled in step 1.3.
1.5 Adjust the distance of the 1st string saddle to this position.
1.6 Adjust the distance of the 2nd string saddle back from the first saddle using the gauge
width of the second string as the distance to move,
1.7 Adjust the 3rd string saddle in the same manner using the width of its string as the
distance.

Revision: 072210 http://www.youtube.com/jeffersononetwo

 1.8 The 4th string saddle should be equal with the 2nd string saddle.
1.9 Proceed with the 5th and 6th strings as done on the 2nd and 3rd strings using each string
gauge width.

2.0 STRINGS
2.1 Set the tuning pegs as follows: string #1 @ 1:00; string #2 @ 2:00; string #3 @ 3:00;
string #4 @ 3:00; string #5 @ 4:00; string #6 @ 5:00
2.2 Insert the string through the tuning pegs and pull tight.
2.3 Leave about two peg-widths of slack in the string and wrap around the tuning pegs
clockwise, pull under, then pull the string upwards and hold.
2.4 Using the peg winder, tune the string to pitch.
2.5 Repeat for all remaining strings.
2.6 Stretch all strings from neck to bridge and re-tune.
2.7 Repeat several times and re-tune.

3.0 TREMOLO
3.1 The vintage style tremolo bridge has six screws on the bridge plate.
3.2 Loosen all six screws to a height of 2/32in and adjust the tremolo springs until the bridge
is either flat to the body, or such that the rear of the bridge is no more than 4/32in from
the body for a floating tremolo setup.
3.3 Tighten the two outside screws flush to the bridge plate leaving the four inside screws at
2/32in. This will allow the tremolo to pivot on the two outside screws.

4.0 TRUSS ROD

4.1 Check tuning.
4.2 Fret-buzz is contributed too by three factors: curvature (or lack of curvature) of the neck,
nut height, and bridge height. The bow in the neck is referred to as the relief. Relaxing
the truss will add relief while tightening will lessen the relief.
4.3 Affix a capo at the first fret and depress the 6th string at the last fret.
4.4 Using the feeler gauge check the gap between the bottoms of the 6th string to the top of
the 8th fret. The measurement should be 0.010” (relief).
4.5 Adjust the Truss Rod as needed to obtain this setting.
4.6 Remove the capo.
4.7 Tune the strings. Check for fret-buzz.
4.8 String height at the first fret should be approximately 0.021”.

5.0 ACTION
5.1 Players with a light touch can get away with lower action; others may need higher action
to avoid rattles.
5.2 Check tuning.
5.3 Using a 6” ruler measure the distance from the bottom of the strings to the top of the 17 th
fret.
5.4 Adjust the saddles such that all strings have a distance of 4/64in. This allows the strings
to follow the neck radius (assume a neck radius of 9.50in to 12.00in).
5.5 Re-tune.

6.0 PICKUP HEIGHT

6.1 Set too high, pickups can cause a myriad of inexplicable phenomena.
6.2 Depress all of the strings at the last fret.
6.3 Using a 6” ruler, measure the distance from the bottom of the 1st and 6th strings to the top
of the pole piece at the neck position.
6.4 Standard Single Coil pickups should be 5/64” on the bass side and 4/64” and the treble
side.
6.5 Re-tune. A rule of thumb is that each string for a given pickup should sound the same in
volume.

Revision: 072210 http://www.youtube.com/jeffersononetwo

7.0 INTONATION
7.1 Set the pickup switch to the middle position.
7.2 Turn the volume and tone controls to their maximum settings.
7.3 Check tuning.
7.4 Check the each string at the 12th fret harmonic.
7.5 Depress each string at the 12th fret (not the fingerboard) and compare to its harmonic.
The tuning should be the same.
7.6 If the fretted note is sharp, lengthen the string by adjusting the saddle backward with a
Phillips screwdriver.
7.7 If the fretted note is flat, shorten the string by adjusting the saddle forward with a Phillips
screwdriver.
7.8 Re-tune.

Revision: 072210 http://www.youtube.com/jeffersononetwo