Epiphone make some great guitars, they can just be a little inconsistent sometimes.

The action on this one’s way too high. I don’t need to measure the amount of neck set, I can see it’s way to large.

It’s also got a broken switch, but that’s an easy fix.

First thing then, take off the strings, level the fretboard, tape it up to protect it and start levelling the fret tops.

You can see here from the marker pen where the low points are.

The biggest problem was right up at the 15th – 19th frets, they were very low.

Once the tops are even and level, they need to be rounded off again.

Once the frets are all the right shape again they need to be polished.  I use 4 grades of micromesh.

While I’m at it the fretboard got a good clean and oil.

Next that switch.  A simple one for one swap.

Now the nut.  I’m going to replace the plastic one with a custom made bone one.

Measure up where the outside of the “E” strings need to end up…

then mark up the other 4.

Back then to the setup….

No.1 the neck set…

Just a small tweek on the truss-rod.

No.2 the action at the 12th fret.  Rather high…

so lower the bridge a little.

No.3 the action at the 1st fret.  This was going to be much too high since the nut’s brand new.

Cut each slot down with a nut file.

No.4 the Intonation.

No.5  The pickup heights, jus a starting point.

There it is finished.  Now it plays as good as it looks.