I had a 335-style guitar in the workshop today for a full professional setup. These guitars are a joy to work on, and with a little care and attention, they can be transformed into something that feels brand new again.

Cleaning and Polishing

The first job was a good clean. I swept out the dust from under the pickups and around the headstock, gave the body a deep polish, and worked on the fretboard. After a thorough clean, I conditioned the board with lemon oil, which not only protects the wood but also brings out its natural colour. The frets were then polished to a mirror shine — always satisfying to see them look like new again.

Neck Relief Adjustment

With the cleaning done, I moved on to the neck relief. I used the Crimson Guitars neck relief tool, which is a really accurate way of measuring the bow in the neck. This allowed me to adjust the truss rod with confidence, making sure the neck was set perfectly for smooth, comfortable playing.

Lowering the Action

The guitar’s action was originally at 3mm at the 12th fret, which felt a bit high. After some careful adjustments, I brought it down to around 1.75mm, giving the player a much easier feel without compromising tone or sustain.

Setting the Intonation

The last step was to check and set the intonation, so the guitar now plays in tune across the whole neck. This is an essential part of any setup, and it makes all the difference, whether you’re playing open chords or leads further up the fretboard.

Why a Professional Setup Matters

A proper setup completely changes the way a guitar feels. Lower action, polished frets, and correct intonation make the instrument easier to play, more enjoyable, and far more reliable. If your guitar is fighting you or doesn’t feel quite right, it’s probably time for a setup.

I offer guitar setups and repairs in Nottingham for all makes and models, from starter instruments to professional guitars like this 335.

If you’d like to book your guitar in, get in touch today.

👉 www.guitarlessonsnottingham.co.uk