Luthier Tips du Jour - Acoustic Guitar Set Up

[HeroicOaf]

Mr. O'Brien, sir,

I hearby declare that

every word you shall utter henceforth

MUST BE BELIEVED!!

In other words, your video just saved me 90 bucks! I followed along and your desired measurements were right on the money - and my guitar never sounded better! Thanks so much!

[OBrienGuitars]

@HeroicOaf haha! Thanks. I am glad the information I provided was useful.

[HeroicOaf]

@OBrienGuitars Thanks for your reply - I only regret misspelling 'hereby'. . .!

Now, time to peruse your other videos. . .

[agedchoirboy]

Great video but is that Bill Clinton doing the dialogue?

[TheMusicDude1997]

How about unwanted resonance ?

[wizardwithguns1]

Amazing detail!!!

[MeLikeTheOthers]

breaking the truss rod? I think it's very rare isnt it?

[OBrienGuitars]

@MeLikeTheOthers It happens more often then one might think.

[Andronicus88]

breaking my trust rod would definitely ruin my whole day and perhaps a bit more too

[wildwestpoint]

hi there, do you have a tutorial on how to adjust scale length, nut & saddle compensation? what is the correct length of each string from nut to saddle? because when i pressed down some string, it isn't in tune

[OBrienGuitars]

@wildwestpoint In this video I explain how to adjust intonation on at the saddle. Some folks do it on the nut end as well. For compensation on my guitars I use 2mm added to the overall scale length.

[maggot6639]

ill just let a professional do it for me xD ima buy a acoustic soon, so i hope GC can make it a perfect guitar!

[Josiahjjr]

Well explained. Adjusting intonation is much easier than I thought. Needed this, thanks!

[FrenchyBunnyStudio]

Thanks a lot! It's just nice to listen and learn from a true professional!

Pascal, from Paris,-)

[OBrienGuitars]

@FrenchyBunnyStudio My pleasure!

[Txikibuda]

I've seen A LOT of setup videos and this one is by far my favourite. I'm only thinking about your setup order but seems pretty well for the "most reasonable" scenario so... well done!

[OBrienGuitars]

@Txikibuda Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it!

[johntrik]

Why vintage Ovations of 70's and 80's are hard to play although they do have all the right measurements that you refer to...Right neck relief,right action at the nut,right action at the saddle.Is it just the way they were made ,is it a neck angle issue...?? Any opinion on this??????? Thanks,great video though!

[OBrienGuitars]

@johntrik I have no idea. Scale length, string gauge and tension, top stiffness etc. all play a factor in playability

[verydab1]

Thanks for a really clear an concise video of a set up. The only things I was not clear on was when setting the relief how thick is a skinny business card? And on the nut height action, I know how much a 1/64" is at the 6th string but how much is a "scoash" above the 1st string?

[OBrienGuitars]

@verydab1 A skinny business card is a good solid skoshe thick.

[RadioNothing]

Thanks! this is great!!

[chriss869]

Will changing the string gauge affect the setup?? i know a higher gage equals more tension and all that, how do you know which gauge is best for your guitar? when i play the harmonic the fretted note is a little to the sharp side on the tuner, will a bigger/smaller string do anything?

[OBrienGuitars]

@chriss869 Yes, changing the string gauge means you need to do another set up. It changes everything.

[chriss869]

Thanks for answering I really appreciate it.there is some relief on the neck. Also if I put a straight edge on, it touches the 16f and not the last fret. Is that ok? I don’t have an align key to make adjustments.when I got my guitar,it had medium gauge strings.I don’t know the size.I’m using light strings on the advice from a music shop. will the extra tension from medium strings be enough to bring the relief back?This is the first time iv setup a guitar and want to get the best sound from it

[OBrienGuitars]

@chriss869 You need to follow the instructions in the video. Check the relief of the neck under tension and adjust the truss rod if needed to get the correct relief I mention. Yes, string tension makes a difference and therefore you need to run your guitar through a set up if you change string tension.

[Pluckyxo]

This video is going in my favorites and if I can find the right tools I may adjust my intonation

[naturesuphoria]

I am being serious! Excellent content and quality video...

[bridgeplatepuller]

Please note: presuming the relief is satisfactory, cutting the nut slot depth before having a preferred saddle height can easily lead to buzzing (if the saddle needs substantial reduction in height) or leave you with a stiff action if the saddle needs to be raised. When you fret any string, the first element eliminated from the equation that contributes to buzz is the nut. The proper order of adjustment is: neck relief, saddle height, nut slot depth and then intonation. Period.

[OBrienGuitars]

@bridgeplatepuller If that is what works for you then use that method. If you have to substantially adjust your saddle then you should dial this in better during your build process.

Happy Building!

[Cypherdude1]

Thanks for your informative video. It was very helpful. I don’t quite understand the “Check Intonation” part starting at 6:50: “This is done by playing the ‘harmonic’ of each string at the 12th fret and checking the note to make sure it is in tune.” “Then play the actual note at the 12th fret on each string and see if it is the same pitch as the harmonic.” Could you further explain the procedure?

[OBrienGuitars]

@Cypherdude1 You did a good job of explaining the process. If the note is sharp compared to the harmonic then you need to increase the scale length and vice versa

[Cypherdude1]

@OBrienGuitars I don't understand what you mean by "playing the 'harmonic'." Are you saying just to play the open string by plucking it at the 12th fret? How do you use an electronic tuner to compare the pitch to the harmonic? I apologize for being new at this. At the risk of sounding like a total newbie, what is a harmonic and what is a pitch? LOL. I'm sure others don't understand this also.

[OBrienGuitars]

@Cypherdude1 Do a google search to understand what a harmonic is. To play it just touch the string at the 12th fret and then pluck it. The pitch you hear is a harmonic. Then play the fretted note at the 12th fret. Th pitch should be the same as the pitch of the harmonic. If it is then there is no need to adjust the intonation. There are many great sources for info on this.

[TeleTubeee]

Thanks for sharing! Presentation was well done, too, BTW.

Doug

San Francisco,  California

[OBrienGuitars]

@TeleTubeee You are welcome. I am glad you enjoyed it.

[REX05011]

what happens if a guitar doesn't have a truss rod

[OBrienGuitars]

@REX05011 In this case, usually nylon string guitars, the maker has carefully thought out things like neck angle, relief etc during the construction phase. Also, there is not as much tension on these guitars so a truss rod is not necessary. If you happen to have a steel string guitar without a truss rod then you could experience relief issues.

[REX05011]

@OBrienGuitars my steel string has a truss rod but for some reason it doesn't have a truss rod and i know it has a truss rod i checked

[OBrienGuitars]

@REX05011 HUH??

[REX05011]

@OBrienGuitars yeah weird right i looked inside the hole where the truss rod nut is supposed to be and i saw the rod but not the nut .

[orangmakan]

@OBrienGuitars

What action values do You use for Nylon stringed instruments, please ?

[OBrienGuitars]

@orangmakan 2.5mm on the 1st string and 3.5mm on the 6th string

[moneyquickeasy]

@REX05011 If you're guitar doesn't have a truss rod, it wasn't made right.

[REX05011]

@moneyquickeasy my guitar does have a truss rod just it down inside the hole where the truss rod is and i was able to loosen it .

[MrVoodoo72]

Why does noone offer an adustable bridge on acoustic guitars like the ones found on electrics? Strikes me as being a marketable solution to intonation concerns arising from varying degrees of string thickness.......Good video here, I'm gonna try your baking soda and CA glue solution for the nut on my ovation....cheers!

[DelTangBrav]

@MrVoodoo72 Several acoustic guitars do actually have adjustable bridges (Gibson Humming Board is one) I'm not sure how this could be used on guitars with under saddle pick ups though as myold Cimar 12 string humming bird copy was always used with a sound hole magnetic pick up. (necessitating steel or nickel wound strings)

[archtopp1]

With all due respect to your talents,i feel that your action at the 12th fret can be much lower than you state.It doesn't matter how fine a guitar sounds if the action is uncomfortable. I play bluegrass and play hard and have my action lower with no buzzes at all.

[OBrienGuitars]

@archtopp1 You are probably correct. The action I give is a middle of the road set up. I have heard it is too low. I have heard it is too high and I have heard that it is just right. This gives you an idea of how many opinions there are about action. Find something that works for you and party on!

[vantagestudios]

@archtopp1 If you're being truthful, you should meet my D15S. I am having a hell of a time getting both low buzz free action and good intonation.

[jimmymal]

Excellent video, Thank You A+++++

[ElectricTurkey1]

I can't capo my first fret. the capo clamps down on the strings but they dont touch the fret board. whats wrong?

[OBrienGuitars]

@ElectricTurkey1 All they have to do is touch the next fret. They don't necessarily have to hit the fretboard. If you are getting buzzing and need more pressure then get a different capo.

[DelTangBrav]

@ElectricTurkey1 In addition to what ObrienGuitars has said may I add that when using a capo it should be placed as close to the required fret as possible (without muting) I have noticed many capo users wrongly place the capo mid fret or too close to the previous fret.

[RUREDICULOUS2]

You mentioned using baking soda and (CA Glue?) build more mass. What type of glue does one use for the nut/baking soda material issue?

[OBrienGuitars]

@RUREDICULOUS2 The glue is called Cyanoacrylate glue or CA glue. It is sold under names like super bonder etc.

[TheFeralCelt]

Thanx. I'll just take this 1957 to a luthier as I don't have enough time in my day to confess all my sins. lol

[marxskate123]

How can i lower the tension of my guitar? i have an martin 000-16GT Auditorium and the tension is too hight can't play more than three song in a row without breaking my fingers.

[OBrienGuitars]

@marxskate123 lower tension strings??

[Yeractualpatience]

Really helpful posting. Been playing almost 40 years without ever really knowing this stuff. Invaluable, I reckon. I have beautiful early 90s Gibson AJ special (no1 of 34, gold-plate hardware, abalone etc, flamed maple & spruce) that can be a prize pain in winter. Obviously a humidity problem - drives me nuts. I keep it on a stand with a water container nearby most of time but only limited success! Any ideas? I hate leaving it in its case with one of those small humidifier collar things.

[OBrienGuitars]

@Yeractualpatience Glad you found the video useful. I keep a humidifier in a room with my guitars. You can get a small one room humidifier from a box store and it will keep a room at a constant RH. This is much better than a case humidifier.

[236987451]

wow that really helped

[RedLedZep]

i've commented here before, but now i have a question.

i have a martin dx1, and the top has sunk in so far that the low end of the neck (13th-19th fret) has sloped in with it, causeing all my strings to bottom out around the 14th fret.

local music store has told me its too dry, possibly unrepairable. please help me with anything you can. i was told to put it in a garbage bag with wet paper towels in the bottom and the top will absorb the moisture and possibly help. so i am currently doing that.

[OBrienGuitars]

@RedLedZep Sounds like your guitar has been extremely neglected and dried out as a result. When this happens you also usually have internal structural issues as well, check the bracing to make sure it is still intact. If it isn't then address that first. SLOWLY, humidify the guitar and keep it that way.

[RedLedZep]

@OBrienGuitars thank you for the quick response. and how would i go about SLOWLY humidifying the guitar? im currently putting a few wet paper towels in the bottom of a big garbage bag, and pinching the bag off around the neck of the guitar. is this acceptable? i plan on doing this until i see some progress.

thank you.

[OBrienGuitars]

@RedLedZep Ideally you want to know what the RH is where the guitar is stored. Your approach doesn;t allow you to know that. Keep the guitar between 40% and 50% RH and that should do it. However, I think you have bigger issues at this point.

[RedLedZep]

@OBrienGuitars thank you for the quick response. and how would i go about SLOWLY humidifying the guitar? im currently putting a few wet paper towels in the bottom of a big garbage bag with the guitar inside the bag, and pinching the bag off around the neck of the guitar. is this acceptable? i plan on doing this until i see some progress.

thank you.

[tyfude]

I'm glad I got to see your video after all. I am interested adjusting my action at the 12th fret and this is exactly what I wanted to see. Thanks again!

[tyfude]

This vidoe only plays until 3:27 (for me). Too bad...

[OBrienGuitars]

@tyfude must be a problem on your end. Plays fine for me.

[tyfude]

@OBrienGuitars

Hey great. It works now. It must have been my connection. Thanks for your time. Great video too. Very helpful!

[TyrannyInOil]

oh no i cant find a skinny businesses card, all mine are American and obese!!!!!!!!

[OBrienGuitars]

yeah, that is quite a lot so find a way that works for you and go with it.

[Sunambra]

Great video.

[OBrienGuitars]

@Sunambra You would really have to adjust the saddle a great deal to make a difference at the nut. If you find yourself having to adjust the saddle that much then you probably have other issues to worry about.

[RedLedZep]

wouldn't the best way to accomplish step 3 be with feeler gauges?

[OBrienGuitars]

@RedLedZep That is certainly a viable method.

[liquidfxx]

Cool nirater

[flyazn91]

If I break my Truss Rodd, what do I do??

[OBrienGuitars]

@flyazn91 CRY! Then you gotta find a way to get it out of the truss rod slot and replace it.

[buckethead777]

So if the action on the guitar is too high, you need to remove the bridge and file the underside of it?

[OBrienGuitars]

@buckethead777 You need to remove the saddle and sand the bottom of it but I only do this after first checking the truss rod and adjusting if needed and then checking the action at the nut. I then adjust the saddle height if needed.

[OBrienGuitars]

I am glad you found the information in the video useful.

[Hank2wheels]

Thanks for posting this video. I did the measurements then got my tools out and adjusted the truss rod and lowered the saddle. My old Fender acoustic has been transformed into a much nicer instrument.

[pbas1963]

I really like this video on setup.I messed up a couple of nuts because I filed too deep.Also on the distance at the # 14 fret.Still learning about setups thanks pbas1963

[MichaelBradus]

"This will ruin your whole day." lol

[MrAndcruz]

thank you, thank you , thank you for the info,

you make this vid very easy to understand.....

can you do the same baking soda and CA glue on electrics?? what is CA glue

cheers

[OBrienGuitars]

@MrAndcruz You are welcome. Yes, you can use this trick on electrics. CA glue is cynoacrylate glue, also known as super glue

[MrAndcruz]

@OBrienGuitars thanks!!

when you filed the bridge, did you did grooves like you would do on nut??

cheers

[OBrienGuitars]

@MrAndcruz no grooves on the saddle, only the nut.

[MrAndcruz]

@OBrienGuitars i thought so...

thanks again and great vids....lots of info to learn from

Thanks

[ezersantos]

great video, thanks a lot

[valuedcustom3r]

Great tips thanks. I live in the midwest where it is HOT and HUMID in the summer but COLD and DRY in the winter. Is there a preferred time to do a setup?

Thanks

[OBrienGuitars]

@valuedcustom3r Ideally you need to keep the instrument in a more constant enviornment. A small room with a humidifer/dehumidifier works better than trying to control the entire house. A set up is only a symptom of a dry/humid guitar. Other issues can occur. Treat the cause rather than the symptom.

[DawidHudziak]

I knew already all that was in the video, but I only wish it was available when I got my first guitar years ago:) Really nice presentation, clear and concise.

[jhaley12]

i've got a brand new Washburn Baby jumbo acoustic/electric. I cannot get the action as low as i'd like it. Some people say i set my guitars too low but i want to be able to play it comfortably and that suits my needs. I've adjusted the truss rod but it's still too high, any sugestions? great video by the way.

[OBrienGuitars]

@jhaley12 The truss rod is not for adjusting the action but rather the amount of relief in the neck. You must follow the steps I outline in the video to do a set up properly.

I also assume that the fretboard has been leveled/radiused properly and the frets are installed and crowned correctly. If so then you should be able to set up your guitar. However, there comes a point where you start defying the laws of physics if you go too low. Good luck.

[undryoasis]

the most outstanding video on guitar set-up. felt i have struck gold...

[OBrienGuitars]

@undryoasis Thanks for the compliment. I am glad you liked the video.

[OBrienGuitars]

The Kent Everett DVD is even more helpful. This video on Youtube is just a quick overview.

[theamazingsupergirl]

this was a lot more than a skoche helpful, haha. thanks!

[Henders100]

Been waiting for a video like this for a long time. Thanks.

[climberjase]

I know that guy... :)