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Hi All! Someone might have already offered this up, but just in case - and since I'm enjoying unemployment anyway... Here's how to make a guide for super-fast and easy string height set-up on a hardtail bridge such as the type from CBGitty.com.

This is basically a wedge that slides under the strings from the bass side, which is higher than the treble side, and lets you see where your strings are too low - the guide hits the string - or too high - there's daylight between the string and the guide. The beauty of course is that you only need to do the upfront work once, then reap the rewards on all your following builds - as long as you're using the same type of bridge. I included pictures below.

Start by setting your individual saddle distances to the nut for intonation. You can ballpark this until you get the height dialed in later, but height doesn't appreciably change intonation - at least to the extent that these saddles adjust. I go into standard measurements below for newbies or those still unsure.

Now it's time to make the guide. I used a piece of Corian for durability - with wood, you risk the strings digging in and distorting the height.

1. Cut a length about twice the width of the overall string spread.

2. Lay the piece flat across the strings centered so that there's equal space overhanging the strings on the treble and bass sides and mark the string positions on the flat face of the Corian. Use a square rule to draw reference lines from the base to the top of the guide for each string for positioning the guide later. I recommend using a fine-point permanent marker for this, or you can use an Xacto/utility knife to cut the marks into the Corian and fill with pencil lead for a nice etched result.

3. Measure the height of the outside strings from the base of the bridge - in front or behind the mounting screws - to the bottom edge of each string. You can do this with a ruler and transfer the measurement to your guide, or use a piece of scrap wood marking it at the two string heights and transferring the marks over to the guide.

4. Transfer these height marks to the respective string lines on your guide, Then lay a straight edge across the guide just under the marks and draw a straight line line across the length of the guide connecting these marks and extending the line to both ends. Voila! This gives you your inner string heights, so no eyeballing, guessing, or trying to figure out how the f... you're gonna get a ruler in there!

5. Sand or file down the excess Corian to the line. If you're piece is especially tall, you can use a small hobby saw to cut off the bulk and then file down the last few mils. 

6. I make the mistakes so that you don't have to! This is where you would normally slide the guide under the strings and check the height of each string over the guide. However, When I first tried to use the guide, I found that I still needed to remove about an extra 1 or 2 mils past the line to get it to fit just under the bass string. I also realized it makes for smoother use to round the shoulder of the treble end so that it slips easily under the bass and subsequent strings.

7. Slide the guide under the strings from the bass side toward treble side lining up the reference lines under each string. If the guide pushes the target string up, raise the saddle until the string rests just on the top surface of the guide. If there's space between a string and the guide, lower the saddle. 

That's pretty much it. Seems like a lot of words for something seemingly simple, but like I said, I've got time on my hands.

If you're new to setting up string height or just a little unsure, measure the height from the top of the 12th fret - the actual rounded top surface - to the underside edge of the outer strings. Lots of guys use various household objects for taking this measurement: coins, matchsticks, legos, what have you... I use a precision ruler marked in 64ths. Wihtout getting into the 'Whys' and 'Wherefores', standard measurements for a 6-string guitar are 1/16" distance between these two points on the top (treble) string, and 5/64" for the bottom (bass) string. Acoustic guitars and players with a harder touch like a little bit higher action to maximize volume and minimize chance of buzz, while electric guitars and players with a softer attack might go a scosh lower. In any case, here's the KEY THING TO REMEMBER: You need to make twice as much adjustment to the saddle height as your desired height at the 12th fret. So, if you want to raise the height at the 12th fret 1/64", you need to raise the saddle 1/32". Got that? Good! If you're like me, you'll forget it for about the first year or so...

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