How to set up a Rick six string with an R tailpiece

[markthemd]

Time to give the definitive answer to this ;

1- inspect guitar for any possible wear on the frets,bridge saddles and nut

2-tune to the pitch you will normally use .Use a tuner ,not your ear ...if you play with other people you are doing them a dis-service by not using a tuner ...who has the time to wait for you?

3-check the truss rod(s) To do this you may want ot use a capo ,I don't but it can make it easier to the beginner.
Either capo or fret the 2nd/B string at the 2nd fret using your left hand -first finger.At the same time fret the same string with your right hand at the last fret on the neck 21st to 24th -it won't really matter which one of these is used ,there is NO trussrod adjustment ever there.

Now ...that the string is fretted twice on it's length ,with your left hand pinky finger ,fret the 5th fret (this is where the capo can come in handy) you should have a gap between the bottom of the string and the top of the fret of .001 to .004 no more and definitely not touching.

While the string is still fretted at the 2nd fret do this check in reverse at the end of the neck .
With the last fret (or so ) fretted ...check with your right hand thumb for a gap at the 12th fret ...same gap is preferred-.001 to .004

Now do the same check on the 5th /A string

Adjust the truss rods if necessary.On a two rodded instrument ,they need to have the same tension on both rods (this does not need to be done with a torque wrench to be exact...close enough is fine)

With that done ,time to check the nut.

4-The nut is checked by fretting at the 3rd fret and checking the gap between the bottom of the strings and the top of the 1st fret.This needs to be about .005 or less on the 1st,2nd and 3rd and .004 to .010 on the wound strings.

More than that of a gap? needs to be lowered .
No gap? then you have string buzz on the first fret!
That needs to be 'raised'.

5- Bridge height,The bridge can be 2inches /50mm off the frets for any of the previous checks ,it does not matter ,they can still be checked .

But ,I set the height of the bridges on guitars (six strings) at about
.050 to .075/1.2mm to1.9mm up off the last fret on the bass and treble .
!2 strings can actually be lower than a six string as you do not need to contend with the curvature of the fretboard for bending.

6- intonation.....check bridge placement for any brand of guitar -six,twelve, 24 to 30 inch scale right handed or left handed,this will work,

The bridge is located on center of the neck and length is checked this way;measure from the edge of the nut (this is where it is glued up against the fretboard) to the center of the 12 fret .Double that measurement and ADD 1/16" to the treble -this is where the E/first string saddle ends up at .
For the bass side or low E /6th string ,measure from the nut edge to the center of the 12th fret and add 5/32" .This is where the saddle will end up at or pretty close.

Pickup height is personal taste ,but the bridge pickup always needs to be closer as there is less string movement there .
If the neck pickup is not adjustable ,then set it first and adjust the bridge pickup to 'match it's volume level.

[markthemd]

Part two ;
Because the R tailpiece shifts from side to side as you tune and or string ,start with restringing the guitar from side to side and add tension to each string .Don't try to tune the guitar as you string it ....BIG WASTE OF TIME!!!

After all strings are on ....then put the strings under some tension ...then tune and go from side to side .You can pick a starting point and repeat yourself over and over ,that will eventually get it .

I learned a trick when I was touring years ago for recording acts ,this is it (and it does take some practice to do it )
I tune using the note E on all the strings ;
open 1st and 6th ,5th fret -2nd/B string ,9th fret -3rd/G string ,2nd fret -4th/D string 7th fret 5th/A string ....I can do this really fast and when the guitar is properly set up and INTONATED and the frets are in best shape ...it works awesome!!!
It allows me to restring and tune a whole guitar in under 4 minutes everytime!