The three adjustments, in order
Relief — the slight forward bow of the neck, set with the truss rod. Action — string height, set at the bridge saddles. Intonation — whether a fretted note is in tune, set by moving each saddle forwards or backwards.
They must be done in that order, because each one changes the next.
Start with new strings
Old strings sit at a different tension and read differently on a tuner. Fit the set you intend to keep using — changing gauge later means doing all of this again.
The one job to leave alone
Nut slots. Cutting them lowers the action at the first fret, which is where a cheap guitar usually feels worst, and cutting them too deep produces a buzz that can only be fixed by replacing the nut. Files cost more than a shop setup.
Why it matters more than an upgrade
Pickups change the sound. A setup changes whether the instrument is played at all — and on a first guitar, that is the only thing that matters.
The questions players ask
Can I do it myself?
Relief and saddle height, with care and the right hex key. Nut slots need files and are the one job to leave alone — cutting them too deep cannot be undone.
How much does a shop charge?
It varies by country and shop, so we do not quote a figure. What is consistent is the comparison: a setup costs a fraction of a new guitar and changes more.
Last reviewed 2026-08-18
