A programmable signal processing and musical instrument setup system for stringed musical instruments, comprising at least one analog signal processing circuit, a control circuit operably coupled to at least one analog signal processing circuit, and a storage unit operably coupled to the control circuit, being arranged on the musical instrument for storing setup parameters for the musical instrument. The system comprises: a communication module with an individual identification information connected to the control circuit for enabling communication with an external programming device that has a storage unit configured for storing an individual identification information of at least one musical instrument, in association with the musical instrument in at least one configuration file. The external programming device is further configured for receiving and sending data to and from a selected musical instrument, when connected, wherein the data transferred to the musical instrument can be stored in the musical instrument and can be used after the external programming device is disconnected.