Question Guitar setup kit?

[gurtejsingh]

Hey guys, long time no see Calling all experts. I am looking to buy a good guitar setup kit for setting up my EBMM JP6 and thought it would be great to get some advice first from all you awesome folks here . While I did some basic google/amazon searches before I came here, I am looking at a single kit perhaps which can help me with the following extra things (other than the standard stuff like string cutter, cleaner etc):

1. Check string action
2. Check string radius and setup saddles to match neck radius
3. Any tool to check if my bridge is in level with the body (I use the naked eye for now, but just wondering)
4. Block the tremolo safely while changing strings (I clean my neck once a while and need to take off all the strings) I know the awesome JP6 can take it, but its a lot harder to retune it back with the new strings.
5. Check neck relief (any tools perhaps?)
6. Check uneven frets
7. Any tools to clean the guitar (other than a cloth, it's hard to reach areas below the strings). I use a toothbrush but its not very effective. Anything specific to clean the bridge and saddles?

I'll really appreciate your help here! Time is short and I have a friend visiting the U.S. for some time, so I am looking at something compact and easy to carry back.

Cheers and Thank you, yet again

 

[DrKev]

I'll play!

Answering each question in turn...

1. A string action gauge or steel engineers rule.
2. A set of guitar radius gauges.
3. Naked eye is perfectly fine. Nothing else required.
4. A deck of playing cards (or stack of post-it notes). Put them under the back of the trem before you take the strings off. The pull from the trem springs will keep them in place. If you use just the right amount, tuning up after re-stringing is a breeze too. (And yes, this works perfectly for Floyd Rose trems too).
5. Capo (or two) and automotive feeler gauges.
6. Not really necessary. If you have a problem, you'll know about it. And you can test perfectly well with the edge of a credit card.
7. No. I used to take all the parts off and clean everything (but I don't recall doing so in years). But usually just a cloth is fine. No need for anything else.

As a minimum, I'd suggest a steel engineers rule and feeler gauges (both of which you can buy from an auto or hardware store) and a capo. You'll do a fine setup with that and (radius gauges are not really necessary because you can just measure the action of each string and if they are consistent across the fretboard you're fine).

Ernie Ball do have this nice little kit...

Ernie Ball Musician's Tool Kit - Guitar Instrument Care | Ernie Ball

...and if you just add feeler gauges and a capo you can do great consistent setups!

I do like a dedicated string action gauge. It does makes life a little easier, assuming it is well made - if the edge is not straight and the markings not accurately placed, it's useless (though might be fixable). So don't buy the cheapest ones on Amazon or ebay).

Guitar radius gages are also nice to have and are kind of hard to screw up up so you can buy them cheaply online anywhere.

Stew MacDonald sell a "set up kit"...

Basic Setup Kit - Metric | stewmac.com

but I don't see the necessity of the straight edge for most people just doing a setup and it makes that kit very expensive. Guitar strings tuned to tension are an excellent straight edge for the purposes of measuring neck relief. (And I'm a little annoyed that Stew Mac sell it and never once mention feeler gauges which are essential if you want to accurately measure neck relief!).

 

[gurtejsingh]

Thanks DrKev as always! Awesome thoughts and detailed answers to each of my points. I like the Ernie ball toolkit and that was one of my shortlisted items from my search earlier. I really like the string action gauge from StewMac and I will try to see if I can get that separately perhaps.

While I will write in a detailed answer your post later, just wanted to get one thing cleared out of the way. I see in your recommendations (and in the pictures of the products) that the ruler is being placed on the frets to measure action/relief. Just want to check if that is ok to on the frets? I am actually skeptical that it can possibly cause some small scratches on the frets? I may be wrong, but just skeptical about it.

Please do let me know. Thanks again for all the help!

 

[sanderhermans]

Still loving my ebmm toolkit, great value for money and i use it constantly. Best buy i ever did and it has everything you need...

 

[DrKev]

I see in your recommendations (and in the pictures of the products) that the ruler is being placed on the frets to measure action/relief. Just want to check if that is ok to on the frets? I am actually skeptical that it can possibly cause some small scratches on the frets?

Well, I can assure you it is very difficult to accidentally make a scratch in the frets. You in fact are allowed to be gentle while doing so.

 

[Johnny Alien]

but I don't see the necessity of the straight edge for most people just doing a setup and it makes that kit very expensive. Guitar strings tuned to tension are an excellent straight edge for the purposes of measuring neck relief. (And I'm a little annoyed that Stew Mac sell it and never once mention feeler gauges which are essential if you want to accurately measure neck relief!).

I purchased that kit and the straightedge is honestly the item I use the most and love. I used to do the string as a straightedge deal but the actual stew make straightedge works so much better and my setups are much easier and honestly better now. I noticed afterwards that the string really wasn't a fantastic gauge after all.

 

[ozzyrules]

I own the Ernie Ball kit for simple stuff(string changes, action, etc.) and I bought a Stewart McDonald kit for the rest(radius tools for saddle height, intonation, etc.). They compliment each other very well. Use both links provided by Dr. Kev.

 

[gurtejsingh]

Thanks everyone for the awesome suggestions. So surely the Ernie Ball Kit is a winner, but honestly I do like the StewMac action gauge as well, but to be honest, it's a little expensive for my taste probably. I can order it online form the StewMac website separately, but shipping internationally does add extra cost. It's not available in my country, and I do have some cheaper brands, but honestly, I'm not sure whether to settle for them or not.

I'll keep you guys posted on what I finally buy.

Once again, thanks a ton for all the help.

I'll leave you guys with a recent effort of mine. Please be gentle

 

[Spudmurphy]

I always keep some lemon oil, birchwood Casey Gun stock oil and gun stock wax and a tin of zippo lighter fluid (naptha) to get crud off the guitar.