Beginner Setup Kit

[ctvolfan]

I’m sure it’s been covered here a thousand times but I’m thinking about getting into learning how and doing my own setups and would like recommendations on a good kit for a person that’s wanting to get into it. I don’t really want to go the cheap budget route and would like something of good quality with everything I need. Not really worried about price as long as it’s a good one. Thanks

[YamahaGuy]

I don't know of any commercially available kits, but the following is what I use:

Sandpaper in a variety of grits, i.e. 60, 80, 100, 120, 200, 300, 1000. Files. Feeler gauges. Truss rod wrench. 1/4" socket set. A level piece of steel about 3 1/2" long (to use as a fret rocker). High quality small screw driver set. String winder (with pin puller). A silver polishing cloth (for polishing frets). A decent guitar cleaner/polish. Cleaning/polishing rags. Bins for spare parts, i.e. nuts, saddles, pins, end pins, strap buttons, tuners, etc. Extra sets of strings. Lemon oil. That is a good start. Additionally, a nice level table and a clean work space with enough room and light.

[Sugar Bear]

If you want to get it all in one place, look on this page:

https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-tool...r-maintenance/

Or this page:

https://www.lmii.com/toolbox-tool-se...n-choices.html

I buy things from both places sometimes, in fact got deliveries from both places this morning of stuff for a guitar that I'mworking on.

Neither one is the cheapest, and I shop around at other places for luthier supplies quite often. But the stuff they sell is good quality, they ship fast, and both places will address problems with orders quickly.

Get a good book on doing setups. And be prepared, you start out doing your own setups and end up making your own guitars. It's kind of addictive once you add tools to your guitar hobby.

[rmp]

the only heavy investment is nut files.

A good set of those can run around 70 bucks and up.

[Sugar Bear]

Originally Posted by rmp

the only heavy investment is nut files.

A good set of those can run around 70 bucks and up.

Yep, what he said. Don't skimp on the nut files. Get good ones specifically meant for working on guitar nuts.

If you try to skimp and use cheap needle files, or welding tip stuff, you'll hate it and eventually buy the good guitar ones anyway.

Save the money and frustration of trying to make do on the cheap and just get a good set of guitar nut files in the first place.

[Placida]

Originally Posted by Sugar Bear

Yep, what he said. Don't skimp on the nut files. Get good ones specifically meant for working on guitar nuts.

If you try to skimp and use cheap needle files, or welding tip stuff, you'll hate it and eventually buy the good guitar ones anyway.

Save the money and frustration of trying to make do on the cheap and just get a good set of guitar nut files in the first place.

I'm just a novice that works on my own guitars, and I bought the Stewmac files (6 files about 8 inches long) that do a really good job on slotting nuts.

I also recommend a small file set for shaping saddles and nuts like this one https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-St...112197#overlay I got from Home Depot, tabletop vice that suctions to a smooth surface: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00196RV9C...roduct_details, and for accurate measuring of thicknesses, etc: digital caliper https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TJJV15J...roduct_details.

[Sugar Bear]

Originally Posted by Placida

I'm just a novice that works on my own guitars, and I bought the Stewmac files (6 files about 8 inches long) that do a really good job on slotting nuts.

I also recommend a small file set for shaping saddles and nuts like this one https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-St...112197#overlay I got from Home Depot, tabletop vice that suctions to a smooth surface: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00196RV9C...roduct_details, and for accurate measuring of thicknesses, etc: digital caliper https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TJJV15J...roduct_details.

Yep! There's some good info that Placida posted. Those StewMac nut files should be fine, and the rest of that stuff would be handy as well.

Thanks for the links, Placida!

[ctvolfan]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I’ll probably take bits and pieces from each one and compile my kit. I know there are complete kits you can purchase but that on one size fits all approach may not be best. I’m excited about starting this. Even researching and purchasing the tools will be fun. Thanks again!

[rmp]

Originally Posted by Placida

I'm just a novice that works on my own guitars, and I bought the Stewmac files (6 files about 8 inches long) that do a really good job on slotting nuts.

I also recommend a small file set for shaping saddles and nuts like this one https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-St...112197#overlay I got from Home Depot, tabletop vice that suctions to a smooth surface: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00196RV9C...roduct_details, and for accurate measuring of thicknesses, etc: digital caliper https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TJJV15J...roduct_details.

Stew Mac is a great source as we all know, but one of my buds has been using Philadelphia Luthier and they seem to have a bit better prices.
https://www.philadelphialuthiertools.com/

[Sugar Bear]

Originally Posted by rmp

Stew Mac is a great source as we all know, but one of my buds has been using Philadelphia Luthier and they seem to have a bit better prices.
https://www.philadelphialuthiertools.com/

Yes, Philadelphia Luthier is a good one, and they often have things that you can't find elsewhere.

StewMac is too expensive, and whoever calls the shots there has decided that they're the Jeff Bezos of the luthier supply world. If you don't purchase their version of a Prime membership, they'll charge you $9.99 to mail you a set of bridge pins via USPS.

Consequently, they have gone on my "last resort" list. But they were too expensive even before that. Most of their stuff is high quality. Most. And their customer support is good. The tools should be fine.

But I wouldn't become reliant on them, because between their business decisions and pricing, once people learn about the alternatives, they may not be around anymore.

[rmp]

Originally Posted by Sugar Bear

Yes, Philadelphia Luthier is a good one, and they often have things that you can't find elsewhere.

StewMac is too expensive, and whoever calls the shots there has decided that they're the Jeff Bezos of the luthier supply world. If you don't purchase their version of a Prime membership, they'll charge you $9.99 to mail you a set of bridge pins via USPS.

Consequently, they have gone on my "last resort" list. But they were too expensive even before that. Most of their stuff is high quality. Most. And their customer support is good. The tools should be fine.

But I wouldn't become reliant on them, because between their business decisions and pricing, once people learn about the alternatives, they may not be around anymore.

Absolutely.

I bought a few, I guess you'd call them "cheap copies" of a few of the tools Stew Mac offers, the cost was well below stew macs prices.

like a fret rocker they sell for $32.00 I got one for $8 off amazon.

and you know what I discovered ?

works just fine.

[dnf777]

https://acousticguitar.com/musicnoma...up-kit-review/

This was in this issue of acoustic guitar mag. Sounds like a good way to start, at a reasonable price.

I see this thread is a little aged, so my apologies if you moved on already.

[Jamolay]

Originally Posted by dnf777

https://acousticguitar.com/musicnoma...up-kit-review/

This was in this issue of acoustic guitar mag. Sounds like a good way to start, at a reasonable price.

I see this thread is a little aged, so my apologies if you moved on already.

I have the Music Nomad setup kit only, without the tools or nut files. Price was good, and it has been very useful for basic setups, measuring action, relief and even doing a minor fret leveling (along with other tools I already had). Definitely worth it.

[ctvolfan]

Originally Posted by Jamolay

I have the Music Nomad setup kit only, without the tools or nut files. Price was good, and it has been very useful for basic setups, measuring action, relief and even doing a minor fret leveling (along with other tools I already had). Definitely worth it.

Thanks to both of you. I may just end up getting this Music Nomad kit. I stumbled over a video of this by the company but was leery because I’m always leery of infomercial type videos. I did like what I saw but was afraid it was too gimmicky. Having a couple of people on the forum recommended it gives it credibility to me.