Perfect Stratocaster setup: Setting strings height action - frudua.com

[neujunker]

thank you!

[SpaceshigTv]

lol i did it :D

[SpaceshigTv]

when you setup the height do you tune it i have no fucking idea on setting it up 

[MrJuliorMedina]

I was playing my guitar while i watched the video, and i did the exact lick at 6:20 about .5 seconds before he played it in the video hahaha

mind = blown

[lerch25]

I used to think of this as some kind of black magic, but i just did the best set up iive ever had on my guitar, and did it myself. Thats very empowering, Thanks from New York. :)

[hendrixexperiencedig]

loving your videos, you saved me a lot of money !

[carlutoscana]

Awesome! Very easy and useful technique! I'll do it on the guitar Tagima Brazil T-635 from my church. Very good tip. Thanks.

[O2N2Concepts]

Hi I can barley get 1.5mm clearance on any of my strings because the saddles seem too low and the hex screw goes in too far and nearly to the end of the thread even at 1.5mm. Is there any way to increase the hight of the whole tremolo unit?

Thanks for your videos theyre great :)

[FruduaTv]

@O2N2Concepts If you have a 6 screws tremolo you problably have shims in the neck pocket which are increasing the angle and therefore make an inpsction and in case remove some. If you have a two pivots tremolo just raise the pivots themselves

[OldskoolDM80s90s]

I spent almost an hour looking for that damn allen key, but finally i found one in my dads tool box.

[thepeoplesuncle]

great vid! iv just put texas specials in my strat but im not the best at soldering wires,,,if the wires are not soldered as a pro job will this affect the tone? although the wires are in the right places..... keep up the good work !

[stratnuts]

Absolutely the Best . This has justed helped me fine. BRILLIANT JOB . JB.

[OMERTA011]

so lets draw six lines on a SHIT of paper..

great videos man! keep em coming :)

[mrloslos88]

grear great video well explained

[conskimo]

im so very impressed he uses real life objects like business cards for reference rather than specific tools. Mr Frudua you are so cool

[tenimathew]

Can u put a video on avoiding grounding noise on strat pls.....

Here is the link for the problem facing by my strat

watch?v=E6ct0xWFymc&feature=pl­cp&context=C3205478UDOEgsToPDs­kKTj1vVN7o00O-CLX3JeM2h

[FruduaTv]

@tenimathew Will make a lot of videos including these.

[Thumpstarrr]

My guitar must be fucked... No matter how high the saddles are I'm still getting a lot of fret buzz.

I've adjusted the truss rod in several positions but that's not working either.

[swanky23]

@Thumpstarrr Check for other things like: There are no bends or kinks in the string, the buzzing isn't something else like a loose tuning peg or pickup screw, whether the sound stops or not when the buzzing occurs, your truss rod is setup properly etc.

[FruduaTv]

@Thumpstarrr You probably need a fret dressing or have some frets lifted which need reglueing.

[edwwui]

why your strings heights are different from fender guide they say

1 string 1.2mm

2 string 1.6mm

3 string 1.6mm

4 string 1.6mm

5 string 1.6mm

6 string 2.0mm

These are good or you think the heights of your video is better?

[ThieleM]

@edwwui

String height is a very personal thing. Depending on your attack and style you may need a higher action. If you are guy who relies on legato you can get away with low string action.

Paul Reed Smith has a good rule of thumb.....when in doubt go a little bit higher.

[jonaron29]

@edwwui @edwwui He gave his height measurement to the top of the string. Usually measurements are taken at the bottom of the string. Also, as has been said, there is no standard height, it is personal style and preference. 

[FruduaTv]

@edwwui I simply think that everyone has his own touch, his own strings gauge, his own taste for what concerns strings height, so how there might be just one single universal strings height good for everyone?

[gabdie99]

thanks a lot best instructional vídeo

[liemexx]

galeazzo i have a question. if i have a chinese copy of stratocaster(low end). can i calibrate it . or i am loosing my time ???

[FruduaTv]

@liemexx Sure you can. Even the crappest guitar ever can be setup to play good.

[pplepaw]

@liemexx dude i have a copy strat too and i did what he said now it sounds great!

[huckerducker08]

hands down the best instructions for this i have seen.. oh yea ,your video on intonation was very helpful all so.

thanks

[FruduaTv]

@huckerducker08 Thank you!

[Dragonflyara24]

this tutorial was extremely helpful and man gotta say his accent just kept it interesting. hahahaha

[mitch19636]

Very nice thank you.

[soundwrks]

Probably the most informative and well illustrated tutorial I've come across. Thanks!

[Kasscne]

thanks, that really helped a lot

[TheDanzilla7]

This is brilliant dude! Thanks so much for taking the time to do this instructional video. Have a great Christmas and New Year!

[FruduaTv]

@TheDanzilla7 Thanks you too!

[1011sid]

@FruduaTv is there any difference in the sound, tuning stability or the general comfort in playing??.. when we use the bent saddle or the block saddle....

[FruduaTv]

@1011sid It' s not the type of saddle in case, it's more about how the saddle is steady firmed to the tremolo baseplate.

[1011sid]

@FruduaTv how long does it take for the magnets in the pickups to demagnetize?????

what are the things that i can do to ensure that i increase the life of the magnets???

[FruduaTv]

@1011sid Magnets used for pickups manufacturing lose about 1% of their magnetic charge at the very moment they sense the strings for the first time. In the next first year they lose about another 1,2% of their magnetic power. From then on they only lose 1% every many thousands of years.

[1011sid]

@FruduaTv then what is it that makes one pickup better than the other???

what is it about alnicoV pickups that make them special from any ordinary pickup you'd find in a beginner guitar???

[FruduaTv]

@1011sid It's generally a sweetest and less harsh sound that Alnico has.

[1011sid]

@FruduaTv so... when i pay more for an alnicoV pickup... i am paying to get a cleaner and more refined sound....am i right??? and it has nothing to do with the life of a pickup....

[FruduaTv]

@1011sid Yes this is correct magnet life is not an issue.

[FruduaTv]

@TheDanzilla7 Thank you! To you too.

[FruduaTv]

@TheDanzilla7 You too Guys!

[TheGipsyMonkey]

very helpful! by the way,what are the strings gauges on this strat?

[FruduaTv]

@TheGipsyMonkey Don't remember... 010?

[FunkyBear30]

would this work for a strat copy?

[FruduaTv]

@FunkyBear30 Sure!

[csayban]

Thank you for this video. Very helpful!!!

[marchalen83]

ciao, ho problemi a trovare la chiavetta per la regolazione della sellette?La misura a quanto ho capito è di 0,050"/1,28 mm...ma non riesxco a trovarla...dove posso aquistarla?GRAZIE, 6 UN GRANDE!!!

[FruduaTv]

@marchalen83 Presso una buona utensileria che ha anche le chivi a brucola in pollici.

[Emangia]

Ciao Galeazzo, what do you think about the Tremol-no device? It'll works well on a floating Wilkinson tremolo? on full floating tremolo? I wish you were here in Miami-Fl, i can't find a Luthier respectable over here... excellent videos!!!!

[FruduaTv]

@Emangia Really? I never used the Tremol-no so I can't say anything sorry!

[Evil4Eyes]

Hello, I own a srv signature strat. The guitar bridge is factory set upped for .10 gauge strings in D# tuning. But since I play in standard E the string tension is really high and hurts my fingers. How do I re adjust the bridge for standard E tuning without loosing the current height.

[FruduaTv]

@Evil4Eyes Pls watch my other videos on how to adjust truss rod and floating movement of tremolo.

[who8allthepies]

i thought the vintage had 7.25 inch radius not 7.5 as shown, just thought i would say.

[thenewestguitarist]

Thanks for the upload, my strat Is playing better than ever!!!

[Resetonedw]

hey hello! :)

if my guitar nut is more deep than usual.. i mean i use string gauge .008-.046.. all my strings are 100% inside the nut spaces.. is that normal?. bcos i've seen another strats and they have their strings a lil bit over the nut space... oh btw great luthier tip videos :)

[FruduaTv]

@Resetonedw mmh 008/046 is pretty a strange gauge combination. I suggest at least 009 on the thin strings side. the enck could ben elicoidal otherwise. Generally half inside and half outside is better, see my dedicated series of 5 videos in this channel.

[Resetonedw]

@FruduaTv umm sorry hahaha my gauge comb is a .008-.038 fender super bullets..anyway.. my nut spaces are so deep.even a .011 low E string is 100% inside the nut :/ i try that string yesterday...maybe i should change the nut for a new one.what do u recommend?

[who8allthepies]

@FruduaTv yes 9-42 or 10-46 on strat. 8 high e seems thin to me i use 9,s or 10,s myself.

[onlyprnasneeded]

Thanks for these videos. I have a cheap strat. The action is very, very high. The saddles are already as low as they can go. Is my only option to put a shim in the neck?

[joesalinas1990]

 do u need to raise the action higher if your using higher gauge strings????

[yoshi183]

I have a problem i changed the action a bit, and now when i play the 19th fret either the 2nd or 3rd string starts ringing, and you cant hear the 1st string

[mausmausmaus1]

Thanks a lot for these great videos!

I have a question though. My g string on my Strat with jumbo frets has a reverse intonation problem. At frets 1, 2 and a little bit 3, it's out of tune. I've googled it and seems like a lot of strats and guitars in general have this problem.

So my question is do you have any advice on how to reduce this out of tune effect, could setting the height of the G string differently have an impact?

Thank you!

[FruduaTv]

@mausmausmaus1 Yes have a good guitar doctor setup your nut perfectly in height and this will reduce the problem90%

[Mr68Rocknroll]

Thank-you for some very god videos who really save me for some workshop bills ;-)

[bati9rst]

Mr Frudua, I just realized that only in the 1st string (high E) and in the last frets (15 to 20) it lose a little bit the sustain...only in that string and in those frets...What can i do? Is this because the pickups? or the string height? There is no buzz during the bending...

Again sorry my bad english

[NoKeTri]

Hello Mr. Frudua! I wanna ask you how to make my string more "Bendable"? or in other words reducing the tension with .9 gauge of strings. thanks.!

[FruduaTv]

@NoKeTri Reduce the number of springs on the rear. Also are U using the tremolo floating or fixed?

[NoKeTri]

@FruduaTv its a floating bridge, and I'm using 5 springs? sometime i noticed that when i use less springs, when I bend, the other strings go out of tune, its like that when i bend ,the tremolo is lifting, so i use 5 springs.

[FruduaTv]

@NoKeTri OK the more springs you use the harder the tremolo, the less, the harder the bending, the less the other strings will detune during bendings.

[hillbillygenius72]

Hello Mr. Frudua, I have a problem with my strat, when i play the open or first two frets of my high e string, i get a slight buzz, i have changed the saddle height, but this did not work, would a new nut fix this problem? if not, what would?

[FruduaTv]

@hillbillygenius72 You probably have a too straight neck. try releasing the truss rod a bit. check out my related video. Then put the saddle back to where it was before.

[stuntboy298]

Could you possible tell what the measurements should be for each string height when using a ruler?

[shlomiya]

BTW why do you always lower the pickups before you adjust things? Things should be adjusted accordingly, if you guitar can play well with lowered pickups and have problem when you raise them like you want, well this is bad.

[FruduaTv]

@shlomiya Yes first be sure you have a correctly intonated guitars and then raise them again. Think it like this: you did you best to FIRST have your guitar intonated. We will go through how to correctly adjust the pickups in one of the next videos.

[shlomiya]

@FruduaTv This doesn't make sense, you want your guitar to be properly intonated while playing, not when you lower your pickups (if it even changes the intonation

[gtonnis]

You did a great job explaining. Thank you

[z3r0sh1ft]

I admire your patience for setting up a vintage guitar. My dad brought one for me and I tend to tell him to take it back. But do you recommend these staggered pickups? The one on your standard squier stratocaster? The magnets with D and G string rised? Fender said it's to balance the sound. And it doesn't match your radius so I'm thinking of my own setup for that. Or buy an affinity instead of a standard.

[FruduaTv]

@z3r0sh1ft Give me a strat I will always find the best balance between tone and setup. I'm a fan of strats. Fender I am endorsing ahahah

[z3r0sh1ft]

@FruduaTv I won't give you one unless if I'm at the same country as yours. Lol. Unfortunately, I'm a fan of Duo Sonics(Which I don't have one) and Les Paul(A stupid copy). I like strats too but their tones doesn't match my genre. Except from punk rock. XP Anyway thanks.

[HotPocketEXE]

Awesome tutorial, thanks.

[kierandenshi]

Very helpful, practical advice - thank you :o)

[skyrae759]

Hi, how can you tell if the guitar neck is warped?

[FruduaTv]

@skyrae759 Check my other video on truss rod adjustment to learn this.

[fundaa888]

This helps alot. Thank you for great tutorial!

Cheers!

[hnaht321]

this is great but i have a problem. the saddles on my strat seems to not follow that pattern. the low e, a, d and g seem to go to the very top of the saddle screws. the b is just a little lower and the high e is super low. I've setup on new strings, stretched to tuning stability and it's always like this. got any advice?

[FruduaTv]

@hnaht321 Not sure what you mean. The saddles height depends on how you set them up and want them. they are not alive and indipendent being ;)

[metalskull5000]

You're sharing amazing knowledge with us mr. Frudua :)! thanks a million!

I have a knife edge two pivot modern type strat tremolo...not the 6 point one..could you tell me what the optimal height would be for it as far as 2 way tremolo use is concerned? i'm a bit unsure about this...

Thanks :)

[FruduaTv]

@metalskull5000 It's the same of a 6 scresw and depends on your touch and how you want the neck to feel. THERE IS NO STANDARD ADJUSTMENT WHICH IS GOOD FOR ALL OF US.

[metalskull5000]

@FruduaTv

Thanks mr. Frudua. Can you also tell me why exactly the bridge posts are lowered or raised? i mean if the action of the individual strings can be set from the saddles itself...why use the bridge at all to raise the height of the strings? i'm a bit confused in this matter :(

[FruduaTv]

@metalskull5000 Yes you should be careful in achieving the correct height with the outer E saddles the lowest possibile thus raising the two pivots. This will reduce the string angle and improve your tuning when you use the tremolo. This will also affect the tremolo arm movement which wil be softer. So your bending also will be softer.

[FruduaTv]

@metalskull5000 I am preparing a video about this :)

[metalskull5000]

@FruduaTv

Thanks a lot sir! :)

[kufungster]

I am not able to use his technique with the piece of paper, it looks like you have to have alot of practice for this. Can I use the bending technique on the low E-string to find the point where the sound does not buzz, and then set the A-string halfway between D and E?

[FruduaTv]

@kufungster mmhh the two thngs are not related. One relates to the truss rod adjustmnent and the other relates to the strings height at bridge.

[kufungster]

I will absolutely recommend this gentleman's videos to whoever i can. I have honestly spent quite some time trying to find 'instructional' videos for guitar setup, and finally hit the jackpot so to speak on finding frudua. His approach truly takes someone with no knowledge to completely self sufficient. thankyou sir

[EliH14]

Great video, very informative! I really like that you sound like you know what you're doing (which you do) so it's much easier to trust and follow.

[yoshi183]

when i play on my strat, like on the 4th string the 6th string rattles out of nowhere. any ideas Y???

[FruduaTv]

@yoshi183 Check out my other video on truss rod adjustment

[yoshi183]

@FruduaTv i think its because i changed the string gauge

[FruduaTv]

@yoshi183 Yes this is why I lead you there. You should probably mounted a lighter strings gaude and should release the TR a bit.

[csanderson7850]

fantastic video, cuts through the BS from other 'instructional' videos here that do anything but instruct.

[FrenkMI]

all the secrets will be revealed!!! :-)

I'm italian, but I write in english to let others people to understand questions and tip/tricks.

[FrenkMI]

I really really thank Galeazzo for these videos, I have set up my strato improving a lot confort, action, buzzes and so on... I have now just a couple of buzzes, but in a very "forced" situation. Just more questions:

-what about the good/best position of the 6 screws? do they have to push the plate vs the body, or just a little lean? (in case of flat bridge)

-and what about in case of floating setup?

It remains your explanation about wilkinson, floyd, ibanez (pivot bridges in general) and

[FruduaTv]

@FrenkMI I have a video ready for this I plan to post in some weeks.

[FrenkMI]

@FruduaTv I look forward to hear your new videos!!! Thanks again.

[metalskull5000]

@FruduaTv

Are you talking about a video on strat bridge position using the mounting screws?? :D awesome sir!

[FruduaTv]

@metalskull5000 Yes it's a video on the adjsutment of the strat tremolo itself.

[VcookiemonsterV]

what size hex key?

[FruduaTv]

@VcookiemonsterV Depends on the strat bridge you have.

[avrajsingh123]

very helpful again! managed to get the action on my guitar that I WANTED! thank you :)

[SuperSolaris]

Very good video, Galeazzo. I like your approach, based more on playability than just measurements. I really look forward to study your video about pickup height and nut preparation. If you still have time and energy, one day I would like to see a video about neck-to-body angle. Thanks a lot.

[FruduaTv]

@SuperSolaris Ok the video on picjup adjustment I am still trying to understand how to shot it because I must face some hifi sudio recording..

[rodrigoconstantino]

hi Frudua, i have a fender stratocaster classic series 60s and when i bend the strings the guitar gets out of tune easily, the same thing when i use the tremolo.

I also tried to adjust the saddles but im not sure if they´re ok... what do you recomend me to do?thanks

[FruduaTv]

@rodrigoconstantino I recommend that you see the other video I made about how to keep the strat in tune in this channel.

[Fender308]

Great video Frudua! Can you hake the proper video about proper pickup height for the best tone compromise?

[FruduaTv]

@Fender308 Yes I am studying how to do this as it involves some hi fi recording to reproduce the subtle differences on a youtube demo :)

[markfromoz]

Thanks Frudua. Could you show us a 3 saddle telecaster setup if you get a chance?

[FruduaTv]

@markfromoz Uh ok!

[FruduaTv]

No matter the guitar the order is: neck relief >> bridge height >> nut >> intonation. th nut is as important as all the rest, even more important that bridge height. We will cover this in a dedicated video ;)

[Iam18grey]

Thanks again for yet another outstanding tutorial with great explanation! You mention the order of adjustments a few time, what would you say is the best order of adjustments when setting up a Strat or any other guitar?

[ham60]

brilliant tutorial many thanks and best wishes craig

[mitchelldog4]

Ah, very true.

[arapyan1]

u awesome!

[mitchelldog4]

What's your opinion about PLECK machines? I'm taking my guitar down to seattle to get it Plecked this weekend and just wondering if I'm getting my moneys worth.

[FruduaTv]

@mitchelldog4 Why not since the price is honest?

[damrak1969]

Galeazo - what you you say is wrong if, when tuning to pitch - the string goes to pitch and then immedicately goes flat on most strings and will not settle on a correct pitch? I bought a used 6 saddle telecaster and I'm having this problem. I've added a little neck relief, lowered the pickups and have good contact of the saddle screws with the bridge plate but a couple of screws are resting on the bridge mounting screws. I've set the intonation as best I can but the chords don't sound good. Ciao

[FruduaTv]

@damrak1969 So sorry I do not understand your question but if you're having a tuning problem please check the video I made about tuning a guitar with a fixed bridge. If your chord still doesn't sound well after intonation set the height of the strings how you like it, go to a luthier and have the nut height set properly mount new string (010 on a tele) and then perform intonation again. This will solve all of you problems.

[GoodJesse]

You are awesome!

Thanks so much for this wonderful free knowledge.

I'd love to buy one of your guitars some day.

[zile20584]

What's the fretboard radius on this strat???

[FruduaTv]

@zile20584 7,5 Sir!

[tneri8]

Signor Fruda, you rock.

[NOSFERATUalu]

Thanks for this =) I dont have a stratocaster, just a telecaster but I can show it to my guitarist buddies!

[FruduaTv]

@NOSFERATUalu Yes for the Tele that have individual saddles height adjustment it will work the same.

[NOSFERATUalu]

@FruduaTv Oh okay awesome =D better include that into your title, so more people see your awesome tutorial.

[imakingprawnok]

A while back I asked for a vid on how to adjust the saddles, and I got one!!! personalised proffessional service!!

Mr. Frudua+you tube=genius!!!

[muaythai4lifelife]

eheheh grazie!! :) ora me lo sorbisco tutto!!

nel frattempo l'ho venduta la strato :P

thanx Galeazzo! :)

[mojoefly]

thank you for the info. needed this badly.