I usually set up a new guitar to my personal settings—using the Stratocaster Setup Guide—the moment I get it. When I got my new 2010 series Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster, I made sure to record the factory measurements so I could always refer back to the original specifications the guitar shipped with from the factory. So I detailed all the factory settings with some pictures. Here’s a look at what I found the factory setup measurements to be on my Stratocaster.

Bridge Settings

The technician set the front of the bridge level with the top surface of the pickguard. Pulling the tremolo all the way back, this keeps the bridge from sitting completely flush with the body. It was about 1/32″ off the body at the studs. In addition, the tremolo springs were set so that the rear of the bridge was floating about 5/16″ above the body of the guitar.

• Tremolo Height and Angle Adjustment – Measured at a little higher than the pickguard in front and 5/16″ above body in the rear.

Pickup Height

The factory measurement for pickup height measured at the bass string and the treble string from the top of the pole pieces were as follows:

• Bridge Pickup – Bass 9/32″, Treble 1/8″
• Middle Pickup – Bass 11/64″, Treble 11/64″
• Neck Pickup – Bass 3/8″, Treble 11/64″

String Height

The factory measurement for string height as measured from the top of the 17th fret to the bottom of the string was as follows:

• Low E-String – 5/64″
• A-String – 5/64″
• D-String – 5/64″
• G- String – 5/64″
• B-String – 3/16″
• High E-String – 2/16″

Truss Rod Measurment

I measured the truss rod relief at .012″ using a feeler gauge between the top of the 8th fret and the bottom of the low-E string. To do this measurement you set a capo at the first fret and then you press down on the string at the last fret on the neck. Then you insert a feeler gauge between the fret and the string at 8th fret.

• Truss Rod Relief – Measured as .012″

Conclusion

The guitar played quite well right out of the box, however, it wasn’t perfectly intonated. I prefer my guitars setup using the measurements from the Stratocaster Setup Guide.

I would like to hear from you readers how your guitar came set from the factory. Also let us know where you like these measurements set for your own personal “best playability” settings. Please leave your measurements in the comments at the bottom of the page. Use the following format substituting the XX’s with measurements:

• Tremolo Height and Angle – xx” above or below the pickguard and xx” above the body at the back of the tremolo.
• Bridge Pickup Height – Bass xx”, Treble xx”
• Middle Pickup Height – Bass xx”, Treble xx”
• Neck Pickup Height – Bass xx”, Treble xx”
• String Height – Low E xx”, A xx”, D xx”, G xx”, B xx”, High E xx”
• Neck Relief – .0xx”