Les Paul -- Adjustment and Care

The following setup procedures and specifications for your LesPaul were derived using the strings,
which come on the instruments as standard equipment from the factory. If you plan to change string
gauges, you may need to adjust the specs somewhat to compensate for the changes in string sizes.
Modifications of the specifications may also e made, !within limited parameters" to adjust for your
individual playing style or application !i.e. how hard you pic#, strum, or fret the guitar" Note: These
are minimum specifications which are meant to guide you, and should not to be taken as hard
and fast rules, as we realize that every player's subjective requirements may differ somewhat
Necessary Tools:
$ut driver, %&'( or )&%*(. +ou,ll proaly need one specially made for guitar truss rods.
Purchasing info is at the end of this article.
Metal ruler or straight edge, -./-)( long
0mall ruler with %&%*( increments
%. !trings: 0tring action !height", fret uzz and intonation will vary with different string gauges
and from old to new strings. +ou want to do your setup under actual playing conditions, so
string your guitar with the gauge of strings that you,re going to play. If you,re replacing
strings on a new 1ison, most solidody electrics !Les Pauls, 20/33)s, $ighthaw#s, 4lying
5,s, 01,s" come from the factory with light gauge strings, eginning with ...6. The 7het
8t#ins 00Ts and hollowody electrics !20/%9)" come with ..%.s. Most flat tops are strung at
the factory with medium gauge, eginning with ..%3.
-. Tuning: 8gain, your guitar needs to e in playing condition, so tune up to standard pitch !or
whatever tuning you,ll e using".
3. Neck "elief: :se a straight edge to determine if a truss rod adjustment is needed. If the nec#
is owed, there will e a space under the middle of the straight edge where the nec# does not
touch the straight edge. If the nec# is (ac#owed,( the frets will touch in the middle of the
straight edge.
$;T2< 8 slightly owed nec# is ideal for most playing styles. 8 perfectly straight nec#
generally requires higher string action than a slightly owed nec# in order to minimize string
uzz at the higher frets. =epairmen descrie this as giving the nec# some (relief( to allow for
string viration. The amount of relief necessary varies with playing styles, however. 8
perfectly straight nec# may e fine for a very light pic#ing style. If your nec# has only a
slight ow, you may not want to ma#e any adjustments to the truss rod.
I li#e to start with a perfectly straight nec#. If I can,t get the nec# straight, then that indicates
other possile prolems, such as high frets !frets eing pushed out of their slots", low or
worn frets, or variations in the fretoard itself, Many older guitars have a (ump( in the
fingeroard over the nec# loc#, for e>ample. 8ll of these prolems are fi>ale, ut require
an advanced level of repair e>perience.
'. Truss "od: !if necessary". 4irst remove the truss rod cover. If the nec# has too much of a
ow, then the truss rod should e tightened with a cloc#wise turn of the nut. 4or a cloc#wise
turn, the arm of the nut driver should start on the trele side of the fingeroard and move
toward the ass side. ?on,t turn the nut more than a quarter of a turn at a time. 4or a
ac#owed nec#, the truss rod should e loosened with a countercloc#wise turn of the nut.
@hen the nec# is as straight as you can get it, then ac# off aout a quarter of a turn for
(relief.(
). !tring #eight @ith the small ruler on top of the fret, measure the distance to the ottom of
the string. !+ou can also use a feeler gauge for these measurments."
The string height at the %st fret will determine if the nut slots have een cut to the proper
depth. If the nut slots need to e deepened or filled in, that,s a jo for a pro with the proper
tools.
The string height at the %-th fret will determine whether the saddle should e raised or