Course Title: One-Day Guitar Maintenance Workshop: Setup and Fret Levelling for Solid Body Electric Guitars
 
This comprehensive guitar maintenance course offers in-depth instruction on fret levelling and setup specifically tailored for solid body electric guitars. Whether you're a seasoned guitarist or a beginner, understanding how to properly maintain your instrument is essential for achieving optimal playability and sound quality.
The course begins with an overview of the components of a solid body guitar, including the neck, fretboard, frets, bridge, nut, and tuning machines. Participants learn how to assess the condition of their instrument and identify common issues such as buzzing frets, high action, and intonation problems.
Fret levelling is a crucial aspect of guitar maintenance covered in detail. Participants are guided through the process of identifying uneven frets and using specialised tools such as levelling beams and fret files to achieve a smooth and consistent playing surface. Practical demonstrations and hands-on exercises ensure that participants gain proficiency in this essential skill.
In addition to fret levelling, the course covers the setup of various components to optimise the guitar's playability and tone. Topics include adjusting the truss rod to achieve the proper neck relief, setting the action and intonation, lubricating the nut and saddle, and fine-tuning the tuning machines for stability.
Throughout the course, participants have the opportunity to work on their own guitars under the guidance of experienced instructors, receiving personalised feedback and troubleshooting assistance. By the end of the course, participants will have the knowledge and skills to confidently perform fret levelling and setup procedures on Fender-style guitars, ensuring that their instruments perform at their best.
 
Course Overview:
This intensive one-day workshop focuses on setup procedures and fret levelling for solid body electric guitars. Participants will learn the fundamentals of guitar maintenance, including adjusting the truss rod, setting the action, and intonation, followed by fret levelling techniques. Through hands-on practice and expert guidance, participants will gain the skills necessary to enhance the playability and sound quality of their instruments.
 
Course Outline:
Introduction to the course and objectives
Overview of solid body electric guitars: components and anatomy
Common setup issues affecting playability and sound quality
Introduction to fret levelling techniques
Tools and equipment for basic fret levelling
Identifying uneven frets and high spots
Hands-on practice with instructor guidance
Troubleshooting common issues during fret levelling
Restring guitar
Using the TRAIN method of guitar set up
Cutting the nut: theory and practice
Adjusting the truss rod: theory and practice
Hands-on practice with adjusting the truss rod
Setting the action and string height for optimal playability
Intonation adjustment: theory and practice
Hands-on practice with setting the action and intonation
Lubricating the nut and saddle for smooth string movement
Review of course content
Q&A session and final assessment