Joe Strummer Tele Spec question

fantomx · May 12th, 2008, 11:47 AM

In an earlier post I got alot of helpful answers, but I have looked at three different sources(manual that came with the guitar, fender web site, guitar player repair guide) and I can't seem to get a consistent answer on the following:

Neck relief measurement. The guitar player repair guides says .010
String height as measured at 8th fret (some say 5/64 for strings 1 thru 4)

Actually if anyone has the exact specs for setup that would be great!

jwells393 · May 12th, 2008, 02:06 PM

There are no exact specs. It's kind of a personal thing. The numbers you read are just a starting point. I usually just eyeball it. Sometimes I just sight down the neck and look for a slight concave bow. Sometimes I fret the first and last frets and look at the space between the 8th fret and the string. A few thousandths either way isn't going to make a lot of difference.

The difference between 0.010 in. and 5/64 in. is only about 0.002 in. You probably can't accurately measure that difference with a feeler gage.

neocaster · May 12th, 2008, 03:02 PM

It's just like the good doctor says. Get as close as you can and then tweak to taste. I have been getting by with setups using feel alone, no gauges except a tuner for setting intonation and cardboard cutouts for radiusing strings/saddles. My instructor and my friends are regularly impressed with my setups.

If I feel like I'm working too hard inside the first 5 frets, I take a tiny bit off the bottom of the nut. Of I'm working too hard in the middle, I tighten the truss rod a bit to push some of the relief out. If I'm working too hard in the high end of the fretboard (I don't spend a lot of time there. I leave that for the real players) I lower the saddles. A little change in any of these usually goes farther than you'd expect.

Colt W. Knight · May 12th, 2008, 03:06 PM

I have never used any calipers or feeler gauges setting a guitar up, and all my guitars play excellent with no buzz. You just have to fiddle it with it for a little bit.
Like Dr. Jack says, get it close and adjust to taste. I find a higher action gives me better tone, so I don't keep my actions at a the line of buzz/no buzz.

chuckamok63 · May 28th, 2008, 07:14 AM

A. Hopefully the neck will adjust the way you want it to.
b. It's all in the players mind/hands.
c. Strummer would be horrified at the the thought of a Signature model.

May 12th, 2008, 11:47 AM	#1 (permalink)
fantomx NEW MEMBER! Join Date: May 2008 Location: Altoona, pa Age: 54 Posts: 7	Joe Strummer Tele Spec question In an earlier post I got alot of helpful answers, but I have looked at three different sources(manual that came with the guitar, fender web site, guitar player repair guide) and I can't seem to get a consistent answer on the following: Neck relief measurement. The guitar player repair guides says .010 String height as measured at 8th fret (some say 5/64 for strings 1 thru 4) Actually if anyone has the exact specs for setup that would be great!

May 12th, 2008, 02:06 PM	#2 (permalink)
jwells393 Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Albuquerque, USA Age: 64 Posts: 12,253 101 Photos	There are no exact specs. It's kind of a personal thing. The numbers you read are just a starting point. I usually just eyeball it. Sometimes I just sight down the neck and look for a slight concave bow. Sometimes I fret the first and last frets and look at the space between the 8th fret and the string. A few thousandths either way isn't going to make a lot of difference. The difference between 0.010 in. and 5/64 in. is only about 0.002 in. You probably can't accurately measure that difference with a feeler gage. __________________ Jack's Disclaimer: When I say something.... always ask yourself ..... "What the hell does he know?" _ Guys - learn to disable the flash on your digital cameras.

May 12th, 2008, 03:02 PM	#3 (permalink)
neocaster Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Chester County, PA Age: 35 Posts: 3,532 11 Photos	It's just like the good doctor says. Get as close as you can and then tweak to taste. I have been getting by with setups using feel alone, no gauges except a tuner for setting intonation and cardboard cutouts for radiusing strings/saddles. My instructor and my friends are regularly impressed with my setups. If I feel like I'm working too hard inside the first 5 frets, I take a tiny bit off the bottom of the nut. Of I'm working too hard in the middle, I tighten the truss rod a bit to push some of the relief out. If I'm working too hard in the high end of the fretboard (I don't spend a lot of time there. I leave that for the real players) I lower the saddles. A little change in any of these usually goes farther than you'd expect. __________________ "...You don't need faith if you know it's gonna work!" "The views expressed here are mine and do not reflect the official opinion of my employer or the organization through which the Internet was accessed."

May 28th, 2008, 07:14 AM	#5 (permalink)
chuckamok63 TDPRI Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Chicago Il Age: 45 Posts: 90	A. Hopefully the neck will adjust the way you want it to. b. It's all in the players mind/hands. c. Strummer would be horrified at the the thought of a Signature model. Last edited by chuckamok63; May 28th, 2008 at 07:15 AM. Reason: TOO CAUSTIC...SORRY.

May 12th, 2008, 03:06 PM	#4 (permalink)
Colt W. Knight Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: West Virginia Age: 24 Posts: 2,178	I have never used any calipers or feeler gauges setting a guitar up, and all my guitars play excellent with no buzz. You just have to fiddle it with it for a little bit. Like Dr. Jack says, get it close and adjust to taste. I find a higher action gives me better tone, so I don't keep my actions at a the line of buzz/no buzz.