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Fit the string guide

String the guitar. Place the string guide over the b and e strings and find a suitable place for its placement on the headstock. Drill a small pilot hole and then screw the string guide down.

Attaching the string guide

Adjust the string height

Adjust the string height by raising or lowering the saddle pieces using an allen key. Get the strings as low as possible without "buzzing".

Set the intonation

Adjust the intonation by moving the bridge saddles back or forwards until the pitch of each string at the 12th fret is the same as the harmonic at the 12th fret. If the fretted note is higher than the harmonic, you need to move the saddle backwards (away from the neck) and if the fretted note is lower than the harmonic, screw the saddle towards the neck.

Adjust the guitar intonation

Adjust the truss rod

Check the neck relief. With the strings tuned and at normal tension here should be a slight curve in the neck so that if you hold the g string down at the 1st and 15th frets there should be a slight gap between the string and the 7th fret. If there is no gap then the neck is either straight or back-bowed and you should reduce the tension on the truss rod. If there is a gap larger than 0.5mm you should tighten the truss rod slightly. Be careful as it is possible to overtighten and snap a truss rod. If it seems unduly stiff, stop adjusting. Adjust by only 1/4 to 1/2 a turn at a time before allowing the neck to settle.

If you adjust the truss rod you will almost certainly need to readjust the string height as above.

Cut the nut slots

You should lower the nut slots until there is just a small gap between each string and the first fret when it is fretted at the third fret. I am using special nut files here. It is possible to use needle files but it is a much harder job and I recommend you borrow a set of files.

Cutting the nut slots

Recheck and PLAY!

Finally, retune your guitar, recheck the action and intonation, then enjoy!.

Enjoy your new guitar