Insulate the strings
In order for the guitar to work properly, the strings must be electrically insulated from each other. On an acoustic guitar with a wooden, plastic, or other non-conductive bridge, the strings are most likely already isolated. However, on most electric guitars, the metal bridge will mean that current can flow freely from one string to another. In order to stop this, we need to surround the parts of the string that touch common metal with a non-conductive material.
The following instructions are for through-body guitars, meaning the strings are inserted into holes in the back of the guitar and come out the front.
Take the strings off.
- Add large insert to the string – Flange goes on first, so that the flange will rest on top of the back of the string mount block.
Insert into hole, but not through the saddles (those are the little metal parts that have a screw coming into them).
- Put in 1 small insert, so that the insert goes into the guitar body and the flange is closest to the head. During this step, due to a gap between the hole in the plate and the block behind it, you’ll have to jiggle the insert around a bit to get it to go in.
Thread through the saddle.
- Add second insert so that the flange is again closest to the head. This flange is going to act as the new saddle.
- Repeat these steps for all 6 strings. If you have access to a multimeter, check with the “continuity” setting to make sure that the strings are all insulated from each other.
- Don’t tighten yet – You’ll want to have clean access to the neck for the next parts of the process.
If you’re using the external option, you’re ready for Step 2
Continue -> Wire the Frets (External Option)
If you’re building the device into the guitar, read what’s below, then continue on.
Continue -> Wire the Frets (Internal Option)
While we’re playing around with things, make sure there’s room inside your guitar for the electronics. Open the face of the guitar and make sure there’s somewhere in a cavity to insert the PCB. If there isn’t, you might be stuck with only the clip-on option. We caution against cutting out or altering the cavities in your guitar, especially if it’s a decent guitar, since it will change the sound characteristics of your guitar. So if there isn’t any room for embedded electronics, cut a new cavity at your OWN RISK.
Continue -> Wire the Frets (External Option)
