Reference

Quick answers. Useful forever.

Keep the information you reach for most in one clean, dependable place.

Tool · Note finder

What note is that fret?

E string · fret 5

110.0 Hz

Tool · Capo calculator

What key am I really in?

Chord shape you're playing

Capo on fret 2

G shape + capo 2 = A

Spec sheet

Numbers worth knowing.

Scale length (Fender)

25.5" / 648mm

Scale length (Gibson)

24.75" / 629mm

Standard pitch

A4 = 440Hz

Low E action (electric)

~2.0mm @ 12th

High E action (electric)

~1.6mm @ 12th

Neck relief

0.25mm @ 7th

Ideal humidity

45–55%

Pedal power

9V DC, centre-negative

Guitar dictionary

Plain English, first.

Search the terms that appear in setup sheets, product specifications and conversations with technicians.

Action: The distance between the strings and the frets.
Buffer: A circuit that preserves signal strength through long cable runs.
Intonation: How accurately a guitar plays in tune as you move up the neck.
Neck relief: The slight forward curve that gives vibrating strings room.
Nut: The slotted piece guiding strings between the fingerboard and tuners.
Scale length: The vibrating string length from nut to bridge saddle.
Saddle: The bridge contact point that supports each string.
Truss rod: An adjustable rod that helps control neck relief.

Tuning library

Six strings, low to high.

Standard

E A D G B E

The familiar baseline for most guitar music.

Half-step down

E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭

A slightly lower feel with standard chord shapes.

Drop D

D A D G B E

Low power chords with one finger.

D standard

D G C F A D

Every string one whole step lower.

Open G

D G D G B D

An open G chord, common for slide and roots styles.

DADGAD

D A D G A D

Open, suspended voicings for acoustic playing.

Large tuning changes alter string tension. Check setup and string gauge when tuning down significantly.

String gauge chart

Compare the feel.

Electric — extra light9–42Easy bends; lighter feel

Electric — light10–46Balanced general-purpose feel

Electric — medium11–49Firmer response; common for lower tunings

Acoustic — light12–53Common balance of comfort and projection

Acoustic — medium13–56More tension and volume; setup may be needed

Bass — light40–100Flexible feel with a clear attack

Wiring overview

Trace the signal.

Pickups→

Selector→

Volume→

Tone→

Output jack

Most passive guitar circuits follow this path, but wire colors vary by maker. Photograph every connection before changing anything, unplug the instrument, and use a verified diagram for the exact pickup and switch model.

Bench checklists

Save or print this page.

Setup check

Relief · action · intonation · pickup height

String change

Gauge · bridge · wraps · stretch · retune

Gig bag

Cable · tuner · picks · strings · tools

Pedalboard

Order · voltage · current · polarity · patch leads

Guides in this section

Go deeper.

Beginner · 5 min read

Guitar Dictionary

Plain-English definitions of common guitar terms.

Beginner · 3 min read

Tuning Library

Standard tuning is E A D G B E, low to high.

Beginner · 2 min read

String Gauge Chart

Common electric and acoustic sets at a glance.