VirtualLife is right: On a tremolo type bridge, NEVER EVER touch the two bridge-mounting screws/studs while the strings and springs are under tension !!! You will immediately kill the screws and the knife-edges on the bridge (repair will kost at least USD 300.-). And then you would have to learn the weird way to "tune a Floyd Rose in 60 seconds" à la Doug Mark. Which is absolutely irrelevant on an unworn and perfectly working Floyd type tremolo.
Okay, okay... this has been mentioned about 30 times in these comments. I agree, loosen the tension on your strings before making this adjustment. As I have said elsewhere in these comments, I adjust the bridge height about once every five years - maybe not even that often. So, there's no real danger of stripping anything because I do it so seldom. I've been making this adjustment for forty-five years without a single problem so NEVER EVER might be a little strong. But yes, to be safe, loosen the tension. This guitar is adjusted with an allen wrench which is much different than one that's adjusted with a flat head screw driver.
It is not about what a well educated man like you does on his gear ;0) The problem is that a bunch of kids do buy the same guitare as their guitar hero, which happens often to come with a tremolo. They look at the thing as if it was a space ship. As they get tired of practicing, they take some wrong tools and screw around every part trying to figure it out. Believe me one can turn each stud 30 times before they imagine that the spring retaining screws could be adjusted too. Next thing you know, the guitare is totaly out of tune, the trem is defective, they clame everywhere that they hate Floyds and resell the good looking axe to another kid who will end up hating trems alike... I have seen too many totaly beat up trems on nice guitars. But treated the right way they should last more than a life time.
And any kid who buys the guitar because his idol has one and screws around with t because he'd bored isn't going to take the time to loosen the tension on the strings anyway. You make a good point, yes, but you need to learn some etiquette as to how you address people. Your tone is disrespectful, so no matter how good your advice is, a lot of people will dismiss you as a troll. Please don't take that wrong... You made a good and valid point which deserves respect, just try to be a bit nicer to someone who has taught more people than just about anyone you can think of.
hes kinda talking out his ass. He is thinking someone is adjusting the bridge posts 55 times with string tension on ... .im thinking because he did? Ive never touched the bridge posts other than a few turns and thats one of those "once every few years" type of thing. Also if youre paying $300 for a trem repair youre an idiot
This gentleman gave me the tools to start playing guitar decades ago here we are in 2018 and still educating me ...thank you from the bottom of my metal heart
If you hung around to the end you will see that the complete setup was really a little over 15 seconds. I'm not going to give away the ending but in most cases, that's all you need to do. The other 8 minutes and 45 seconds was just me shooting the s***.
Doug, you did a "quick" set-up. A COMPLETE guitar set-up on a used guitar, takes about 20-30 minutes. A lot of cleaning is required, especially if it wasn't done for 5 years, if somebody else set-it up to their desired preferernce, or if the guitar hasn't been stored properly. Humidity and other conditions are hell on guitsrs.. Also., a micrometer comes in handy.
I Freakin Love This Guy. I bought some Metal Method lessons when they were on cassette tapes back when i a young man. Seeing Doug is like seeing an old friend. Brings a smile to my Face!
Doug....been doing this work since 1973...I have NO issues with the info presented. The one place I wanted to jump in and say something was when you adjusted intonation to flatten the fretted note....BEFORE you adjust the screw clockwise for the saddle, DO detune that string....or you will add tension between the saddle and the ball end, and risk a POP! Adjusting that screw counter-clockwise has never popped a string on me.... It's a valuable service you've provided. Thank you.
Finally ,someone that known what their talking about .This is the only channel that tells people to Re check the truss rod the next day and re adjust if needed. Thank you Mark
This is a really handy video. I did the quick check of my electric and found there's definitely not enough space at the 7th. Getting that set up then checking the other stuff feels like more of a breeze now. The info about the saddles was handy too
This is a super informative video. I had no idea how important the feeler gauge is to adjusting the action. SUPER LIKE for being one of the most comprehensive tutorials about this subject.
Best video on this actually uses a straight edge. Metal method is the original audio lessons in 80s how I learned to play VanHalen. Doug knows his shit if you don't like his way watch other videos. You will be back. Doug's the man. You just don't know it
I had the prettiest new white HM Strat that was killer right off the hook at a mom and pop music store. That was the day when they came perfectly set up from the factory. I miss that guitar.
Thanks Doug... I was just changing the strings on my son's guitar and the G was sharp at the 12th fret... couldn't remember clockwise or counter-clockwise (brain spasms) so I turned to you and you set me straight.
Excellent tutorial...right to the point. Clear, concise and correct. I appreciate that you got it done...and quickly. This will go on my permanent list of tutorials under (adjusting and caring for my guitar). Thanks.
Great work identifying the play of living wood... you need time to let the wood adjust. This is a living substance versus metal or plastic. Wait 1-3 days and let the wood adjust. Keep adjusting!!
I lived out in the country and had no local resources for guitar instruction. In 1987 a heavy metal guitar teacher was not easy to find in a small town. You had to rely on the long haired stoned kid at school and his knowledge was limited. I couldn’t wait for those metal method cassettes, VHS and booklets to come in the mail. I still think about those lessons and use what I learned.
Great video. I've been a fan since the old guitar magazine advertisements. I don't remember the exact year I ordered your lessons. I'm thinking anywhere between 83 to 85. I learned a ton of stuff from you. I'm very happy to see you still going. Thanks Doug and keep on pickin brother.
Thanks Doug - I did the 1st fret to 17th fret and checked. Sure enough , I was off big time ! Thanks for the tip . She is working beautiful now. I had to tighten the truss rod 2 quarter inch turns. She is spot on now ! Thanks much.
this is by far the most useful video on setup i have found, thank you. i havent played much in 10 years, but from the age of 9 ish to 17ish then again 22ish to 25 ish. im 34 now and life has become good enough and stable so that i can begin to put time into it again and afford to put together a nice rig etc. just ordered a schecter with floyd rose for 650 because it was marked down from 900 or so (had sustaniac and emg81 combo) set neck and other good features i couldnt pass up. i was willing to spend the 900 or so i needed to to get that stuff but this freed up some funds for the 150 case and some towards a rig. ive been frantically re educating myself so ill be able to do all maintenance and setup myself. ill need to change strings right away as i play in c standard typically and my crummy practice guitars ive had wont even hold that for long if at all without super thick strings.
Thanks David. Glad that I was able to help. It's great that you're back into it again. I was dormant last year but playing a lot right now. It's easy to forget not only how much fun it is to play but how it just makes you feel better to learn something new. It' picks up my spirits and I'm sure it works for you too.
Man I remember seeing your Metal Method lessons in the back of my Circus magazines in the early 80's . Problem I didnt have the money for the tape or a VCR to play it on LOL I got where I wanted by the late 80's by watching MTV videos and or Tab which was difficult to read . I always learn better by watching . Had I had RUclips then I would be a Vai or Satch by now Oh well still love playing like a shredder. George Lynch was my Guru and still my fav of all times . Hes the hardest working man in Metal /Rock music lol The James Brown of Guitar !!!
Thanks Doug....I bought your course in the 80s and have been recently researching the proper way to set intonation and had some questions. There is alot of opinions out there and I knew I could trust your method so I looked you up for this. You answered all my questions. I always wondered why an open string and a 12th fret fretted note dont match on the tuner....one of your other videos awswered that question.....Thanks!
I play a 1975 Les Paul custom, had sice day one Long and McQuades + a duel Showman. Maybe its just em, but I generally have to do a "tear Down" twice a year. Tear Down = neck relief / intonation. I prefer a snug relief low clearances. My secret; expensive but worth it. I set my neck relief up with a set of #9 gauge where it creates a tiny bite of fret buzz. I remove the 9s and replace with 10s. Naturally, the preload on the neck is altered due to the extra tonnage. The process reduces/eliminates the string / fret buzz. Naturally, the nut is a tad close to the bridge. intonation wise, no bigy. But it is true, especially with a Les Paul, it does take 24 hours + to settle into position. Cost efficient no, time consuming yes. Fun...absolutely.
Thank you so much for this video! Easy to understand, pictures that show the what, why and where and the how to explained efficiently and in order. I'll be recommending these videos to everyone that wants to learn! Thanks!
Absolutely agree with you that truss rod adjustment is the key before making any other geometry changes. Often it's the only thing needed to get an immediate major improvement to sound and playabilty. Most used guitars in the pawn shop have too much bow or relief. I've scored some good used finds that someboody gave up on, didn't know how to fix it, or didn't want to pay for a setup/repair.
Well, as a life-long acoustic player new to the mechanics of the electrics, I found the video extremely interesting and I appreciate the effort to explain clearly the issues of maintence. Don't know that I'd have the confidence to take a tool to my new start, but I'm a better informed customer for the luthier I go to. Thanks!
Awesome video dude, thank you so very much. Took me a little longer then 60 seconds LOL. I have over 70 guitars! Took me about a week to do them all but I can tell you fat between your video and one others all my guitars play and sound incredible. Some people collect guns, knives, postage stamps, but I collect guitars. If I see one I like I buy it. Thanks again, and God bless.
Doug, I used your Metal Method to learn guitar way back in 1985. Chapter six, metal theory or something like that was crazy good. Some of those crazy scales where hard to get, but I found my jive. Learned those important Rhoads and Halen licks too. HAWK!
DUDE! I have no idea who you are, or if you're in any bands, but I wanted to say "THANK YOU". You communicate in a way that creates a relaxed, (Smoke one)no-hurry, focused environment that I need in order to retain ANYTHING I'm trying to learn. By taking the time to put your knowledge together and share it on here, you're now a fimilar face to the musicians around where I live in New Hempshire... er, Hampshire. Awesome job! The way you teach is something all teachers can learn from, not to mention the actual subject matter you discuss which helped me bring life back to an old yard sale Fender Squire. 420 thumbs up to you Mr.Marks. ~Corey formerly of "Psychosis" Massacre Records recording artist.
Thank you so much for this easy to understand video! I recently started teaching myself how to play guitar and was gifted a strange violin shaped guitar from the 60’s that is in need of some serious work. I love diy, but I want to do everything right, so I’m educating myself as much as I can first.
Useful info = Less pain in setup. Thank You Doug. If you enjoy working on guitars and learning something new the time involved is almost moot... I didn't think a Floyd Rose could be damaged.
Dropped a gauge size on my Ibanez Jem WM7 (yes, the Steve Vai one which I bought, despite it's flashy appearance, because it was a joy to play). Needed to address the horror of adjusting and rebalancing the action and Floyd Rose Trem/Fixed nuts etc. Luckily chanced on clip this fairly quickly and it answered all questions with the added bonus of the advice re tuning from the middle out which seems blindingly obvious in hindsight and has made the whole process much easier and much more effective. Thanks. After I hit 'Comment' I'm hitting 'Subscribe.
You're welcome Georges. Glad that you enjoyed it. I just wanted a video that moved quick enough that you could see an overview without getting bogged down with specifics.
Another great setup that needs a look at is pickup action! It can clip if it’s too close or sound dull if too separated. My story: my new Jacksons, Charvel and Washburns came with a backbow ( bow making the strings closer to the neck that made it unplayable because of fret buzz ). I didn’t trust my only known guitar repair shop (paid $200 for glueing a neck on a Charvel single cut Gibson style that came loose just because, the friend I sold it too had to epoxy and I almost lost the sale) that didn’t cost an eye in the face so I did this myself and it’s day and night. A different shred beast all together! Thanks Doug! Ps: be careful with those suspicious guitar shops that try to sell you $22 strings ( you can’t take the strings you want, they always try to sell you their overpriced strings ) just to start plus neck relief plus the job you need done, its a scam! You’re out $50 dollars before you pay what you took it in for like floyd rose strings changed ( it isn’t needed only if you’ve set the neck relief years ago and needs a review)🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 that shop even pays junior guitarists starting out to do the work for them! I mean it got so bad a friend of mine complained to them about string buzz and they couldn’t find the source of the issue, they said the truss rod was ok, the string action and intonation too... OK SO WHATS THE ISSUE THEN? YOURE THE GUITAR TECHIE FIX IT! My friend discovered ( not the sh1tty shop) the issue turned out to be the junior techie set the pickup height too high and that was buzzing the strings. 😏😏🙄🙄👌👌 needless to say my friend and I never took any guitar back to that shop! Lesson learned: even if you trust the shop ALWAYS learn how to check their work
Hi Doug! Loyal follower here. Gotta point out one thing.......nut height or even compensated nut. I've had several guitars that were all out of tune (easiest to tell) on the G string second fret. Obviously a bad thing, especially if you use a lot of D chord stuff. But I found even my high dollar axes were slightly sharp on that "A" note. I couldn't explain why my guitar sounded so awesome almost everywhere except for by the nut so I took an old junker I had and started jacking with it. A PRS SE that had been dropped and had a small crack in the headstock. I tried to just barely touch the string to the fret and you could "finger tune it" but when you're slammin out some tunes you really don't think "well I have to touch here more gently than anywhere else". To make a long story short, I figured out it was the string height at the nut causing the problem. Pressing the string down so far stretches it enough to make it go sharp. I lowered the string height by CAREFULLY (ruined a couple nuts learning....the angle you file is CRITICAL!!!) filing the nut groove to get the string as close to the fret as you can go with no fret buzz. LITERALLY put my guitar in tune in more places on the entire fretboard! I found that about .38mm clearance from the string to the fret (nut to first fret) worked out very well. If that doesn't go far enough you can go with a compensated nut but I fixed every one of my guitars tuning problems without one. Now when I play Sweet Home Alabama it actually sounds like the song! Thanks dude! Workin on your study course....problem is I like to jam more than practice....slows the learning process down a lot....but getting there!
From what I understand, the problem with the G string is, it should be wound. In the early 60s the high E was an .012 or .013. thick enough to allow for a wound third. This is what I've heard. It may or may not be true. I have another video that explains how I deal with the problem. When I'm recording and playing in that area I tune the notes individually there. Of course that's not practical on stage. I try to run around to distract everybody from noticing how bad it sounds.
Doug Marks hehe I play with "9's" so my wittle fingers don't hurt so bad......I bought your newest melodic series. Can't wait to dig in......it makes a ton of sense. I've had your entire package for a while but I'm guilty of not practicing.....gotta get to it bro! Thanks!
Doug, thank you so much for your clear and concise explanation of a set up. Your generosity of sharing knowledge should shame all the knockers! What have they ever contributed???
Once you learn these Set-Up principles, you should be able to Check your Guitar Setup in 60 Seconds. Setup may, take a little more time. Thanks for the Info Doug Marks! Thumbs UP!
I really enjoyed this valuable info, put in an understandable way. Plus the lack of Heavy Metal background music and/or lame attempts at standup comedy really helps. LoL. Thanks
Outstanding video and information thank you, and you have a new subscriber. It's nice to finally find someone who explains theses settings properly and clearly.
This guy used to do the guitar tutorials and technique tutorials etc for guitar magazine along with Doug Aldrich the Steve I used to do stuff to a bunch of people used to do stuff too but he does know what he's talking about Doug
Thanks for taking the time explaining. Really appreciate it. The action of my guitar was so high... almost not playable.... and my bridged flowed really high as well... thanks to your tutorial I love to grab my guitar again and play. Thanks!!!
This video totally makes sense, thank you so much for taking the time. I am very new to learning the guitar and was wondering why my fingertips hurt soooo much and why the strings were soooo far from the frets. I guess the answer is they are not supposed to be, lol. I am going to take the time to follow your instructions and set up my guitar (Squire Telecaster) properly. I just know it's going to get a whole lot less painful. Thanks again, awesome!...... Subscribed.....
Well this was handy😝😝Last week I found a dead RH strat in a skip. The fretboard looked good but the body was all cruddy, pick board was a dog and tuning machinery was grunge too. I must let it be known that I’m a novice LH player who’s brand new LH strat and my acoustic and Amp has been locked away in Spain since January whilst I’m locked down in the U.K..... and this have been pissin me off. Project launch to resurrect this dead RH Strat have been very interesting, thank God for Ebay. Now all I have to do is to get rid of the buzzing by doing what the man says😝😝😝😝 Wish me luck.....Ohhhhh I need that tool to adjust the trust rod😉😉😉😉 Wish me more luck 🙏🏿🙏🏿
This is what I was looking for, Thank you Doug. Hope you got a high while giving the downloads. It gave me a good kick. You are a good knowledge bank. Nice! You delivered what you promised. I tried many videos with the same tag "set up" but none delivered completely. You demonstrated 1, what all we can do, and 2, what are all available, hidden in an electric guitar 3, how to use them accordingly. Its Superb! Hats off Doug. Stay blessed. Bye.... Ofcourse "Subscribed" 🎉🎊🎆🎇☺
Great video! I have some pretty nice guitars and am getting more serious about my playing. Paying $100 for setups is starting to feel like pedal and new guitar money going to waste! Thanks amigo. I'm going to take the buzz out of my PRS Cust 24. I had it set with 11's and it came back buzzing and now I want to go back to 10's. I'm going to try this myself.
VirtualLife is right: On a tremolo type bridge, NEVER EVER touch the two bridge-mounting screws/studs while the strings and springs are under tension !!! You will immediately kill the screws and the knife-edges on the bridge (repair will kost at least USD 300.-).
And then you would have to learn the weird way to "tune a Floyd Rose in 60 seconds" à la Doug Mark. Which is absolutely irrelevant on an unworn and perfectly working Floyd type tremolo.
Okay, okay... this has been mentioned about 30 times in these comments. I agree, loosen the tension on your strings before making this adjustment. As I have said elsewhere in these comments, I adjust the bridge height about once every five years - maybe not even that often. So, there's no real danger of stripping anything because I do it so seldom. I've been making this adjustment for forty-five years without a single problem so NEVER EVER might be a little strong. But yes, to be safe, loosen the tension. This guitar is adjusted with an allen wrench which is much different than one that's adjusted with a flat head screw driver.
It is not about what a well educated man like you does on his gear ;0) The problem is that a bunch of kids do buy the same guitare as their guitar hero, which happens often to come with a tremolo. They look at the thing as if it was a space ship. As they get tired of practicing, they take some wrong tools and screw around every part trying to figure it out. Believe me one can turn each stud 30 times before they imagine that the spring retaining screws could be adjusted too. Next thing you know, the guitare is totaly out of tune, the trem is defective, they clame everywhere that they hate Floyds and resell the good looking axe to another kid who will end up hating trems alike...
I have seen too many totaly beat up trems on nice guitars. But treated the right way they should last more than a life time.
And any kid who buys the guitar because his idol has one and screws around with t because he'd bored isn't going to take the time to loosen the tension on the strings anyway.
You make a good point, yes, but you need to learn some etiquette as to how you address people. Your tone is disrespectful, so no matter how good your advice is, a lot of people will dismiss you as a troll.
Please don't take that wrong... You made a good and valid point which deserves respect, just try to be a bit nicer to someone who has taught more people than just about anyone you can think of.
What type of problems are you talking about? What repair are you talking about?
hes kinda talking out his ass. He is thinking someone is adjusting the bridge posts 55 times with string tension on ... .im thinking because he did? Ive never touched the bridge posts other than a few turns and thats one of those "once every few years" type of thing. Also if youre paying $300 for a trem repair youre an idiot
This gentleman gave me the tools to start playing guitar decades ago here we are in 2018 and still educating me ...thank you from the bottom of my metal heart
A complete guitar setup in 60 seconds in ... 9 minutes! :)
If you hung around to the end you will see that the complete setup was really a little over 15 seconds. I'm not going to give away the ending but in most cases, that's all you need to do. The other 8 minutes and 45 seconds was just me shooting the s***.
I was trying to be clever. Doesn't always work. The video is great.
You must’ve forgot the part where you said to set the guitar aside until the next day
you saved me the time of commenting.
Doug, you did a "quick" set-up. A COMPLETE guitar set-up on a used guitar, takes about 20-30 minutes. A lot of cleaning is required, especially if it wasn't done for 5 years, if somebody else set-it up to their desired preferernce, or if the guitar hasn't been stored properly. Humidity and other conditions are hell on guitsrs.. Also., a micrometer comes in handy.
I Freakin Love This Guy. I bought some Metal Method lessons when they were on cassette tapes back when i a young man. Seeing Doug is like seeing an old friend. Brings a smile to my Face!
Doug....been doing this work since 1973...I have NO issues with the info presented. The one place I wanted to jump in and say something was when you adjusted intonation to flatten the fretted note....BEFORE you adjust the screw clockwise for the saddle, DO detune that string....or you will add tension between the saddle and the ball end, and risk a POP! Adjusting that screw counter-clockwise has never popped a string on me....
It's a valuable service you've provided. Thank you.
finally a real teacher and very professional. been playing for 38 years and still learned a lot.
Finally ,someone that known what their talking about .This is the only channel that tells people to Re check the truss rod the next day and re adjust if needed.
Thank you Mark
I've watched at least ten different videos on guitar setup. This is far and away the best one.
Thank you
This dude is like the "Bob Ross" of guitars! This is, by far, the best truss rod adjustment video I've ever seen!
Finaly someone saying things clearly with a real explanation!!! I love it!
This is a really handy video. I did the quick check of my electric and found there's definitely not enough space at the 7th. Getting that set up then checking the other stuff feels like more of a breeze now. The info about the saddles was handy too
Thanks Doug, for that harmonics tip, and the stretching the string to check for string deadening as well.
This is a super informative video. I had no idea how important the feeler gauge is to adjusting the action. SUPER LIKE for being one of the most comprehensive tutorials about this subject.
Best video on this actually uses a straight edge. Metal method is the original audio lessons in 80s how I learned to play VanHalen. Doug knows his shit if you don't like his way watch other videos. You will be back. Doug's the man. You just don't know it
I had the prettiest new white HM Strat that was killer right off the hook at a mom and pop music store. That was the day when they came perfectly set up from the factory. I miss that guitar.
Thanks Doug... I was just changing the strings on my son's guitar and the G was sharp at the 12th fret... couldn't remember clockwise or counter-clockwise (brain spasms) so I turned to you and you set me straight.
Excellent tutorial...right to the point. Clear, concise and correct. I appreciate that you got it done...and quickly. This will go on my permanent list of tutorials under (adjusting and caring for my guitar). Thanks.
Thank You very much Doug Marks for your information on the Every Inch of Electric-Guitar Setup check for Tonation
Great work identifying the play of living wood... you need time to let the wood adjust. This is a living substance versus metal or plastic. Wait 1-3 days and let the wood adjust. Keep adjusting!!
Dude: Precise & professionally taught....
Cheers!
Thanks.
this helped more than any other video on youtube, he got right into it, and said and showed everything clearly
I remember getting Doug marks metal method with cassette and tablature booklet in the mid 80s
I lived out in the country and had no local resources for guitar instruction. In 1987 a heavy metal guitar teacher was not easy to find in a small town. You had to rely on the long haired stoned kid at school and his knowledge was limited.
I couldn’t wait for those metal method cassettes, VHS and booklets to come in the mail.
I still think about those lessons and use what I learned.
Great video. I've been a fan since the old guitar magazine advertisements. I don't remember the exact year I ordered your lessons. I'm thinking anywhere between 83 to 85. I learned a ton of stuff from you. I'm very happy to see you still going. Thanks Doug and keep on pickin brother.
Thanks Doug - I did the 1st fret to 17th fret and checked. Sure enough , I was off big time ! Thanks for the tip . She is working beautiful now. I had to tighten the truss rod 2 quarter inch turns. She is spot on now ! Thanks much.
That's great. Thanks.
Thanks for the video! It worked I adjusted rod, came back the next day to play it. I will adjust all 12 of my guitars.
With the money you'll be saving in not taking your guitars in to the shop, you can ... buy more guitars!
Omg I remember metal method from the 80s. Tape number five was the best lesson ever created
Jaidezilla yeah...m2
this is by far the most useful video on setup i have found, thank you. i havent played much in 10 years, but from the age of 9 ish to 17ish then again 22ish to 25 ish. im 34 now and life has become good enough and stable so that i can begin to put time into it again and afford to put together a nice rig etc. just ordered a schecter with floyd rose for 650 because it was marked down from 900 or so (had sustaniac and emg81 combo) set neck and other good features i couldnt pass up. i was willing to spend the 900 or so i needed to to get that stuff but this freed up some funds for the 150 case and some towards a rig. ive been frantically re educating myself so ill be able to do all maintenance and setup myself. ill need to change strings right away as i play in c standard typically and my crummy practice guitars ive had wont even hold that for long if at all without super thick strings.
Thanks David. Glad that I was able to help. It's great that you're back into it again. I was dormant last year but playing a lot right now. It's easy to forget not only how much fun it is to play but how it just makes you feel better to learn something new. It' picks up my spirits and I'm sure it works for you too.
Man I remember seeing your Metal Method lessons in the back of my Circus magazines in the early 80's . Problem I didnt have the money for the tape or a VCR to play it on LOL I got where I wanted by the late 80's by watching MTV videos and or Tab which was difficult to read . I always learn better by watching . Had I had RUclips then I would be a Vai or Satch by now Oh well still love playing like a shredder. George Lynch was my Guru and still my fav of all times . Hes the hardest working man in Metal /Rock music lol The James Brown of Guitar !!!
Best explanation in RUclips after two hours of research! Thank you!!
Thanks. I’m glad that you found it helpful.
Thank you for the great video, Doug. I learned a lot. I'm very grateful that you shared this.
Thanks Doug....I bought your course in the 80s and have been recently researching the proper way to set intonation and had some questions. There is alot of opinions out there and I knew I could trust your method so I looked you up for this. You answered all my questions. I always wondered why an open string and a 12th fret fretted note dont match on the tuner....one of your other videos awswered that question.....Thanks!
This helped me getting rid of the low e buzzing. Thanks a lot, Sir !
I play a 1975 Les Paul custom, had sice day one Long and McQuades + a duel Showman.
Maybe its just em, but I generally have to do a "tear Down" twice a year.
Tear Down = neck relief / intonation.
I prefer a snug relief low clearances.
My secret; expensive but worth it.
I set my neck relief up with a set of #9 gauge where it creates a tiny bite of fret buzz.
I remove the 9s and replace with 10s.
Naturally, the preload on the neck is altered due to the extra tonnage.
The process reduces/eliminates the string / fret buzz.
Naturally, the nut is a tad close to the bridge. intonation wise, no bigy.
But it is true, especially with a Les Paul, it does take 24 hours + to settle into position.
Cost efficient no, time consuming yes.
Fun...absolutely.
Thanks Doug (again), I bougth Metal Method VHS in the late 80´S, helped me a lot..salutes!
Thank you so much for this video! Easy to understand, pictures that show the what, why and where and the how to explained efficiently and in order. I'll be recommending these videos to everyone that wants to learn! Thanks!
This is FANTASTIC! Thank you so much Doug, I've bookmarked this for reference.
You're welcome. Glad that you enjoyed it.
nice one doug,took your advice mate and my cheap donner has improved way better than i imagined,great video.
Absolutely agree with you that truss rod adjustment is the key before making any other geometry changes. Often it's the only thing needed to get an immediate major improvement to sound and playabilty. Most used guitars in the pawn shop have too much bow or relief. I've scored some good used finds that someboody gave up on, didn't know how to fix it, or didn't want to pay for a setup/repair.
Well, as a life-long acoustic player new to the mechanics of the electrics, I found the video extremely interesting and I appreciate the effort to explain clearly the issues of maintence. Don't know that I'd have the confidence to take a tool to my new start, but I'm a better informed customer for the luthier I go to. Thanks!
Wow! A guy who knows what there talking about. 🤘 Good video brother.
Awesome video dude, thank you so very much. Took me a little longer then 60 seconds LOL. I have over 70 guitars! Took me about a week to do them all but I can tell you fat between your video and one others all my guitars play and sound incredible. Some people collect guns, knives, postage stamps, but I collect guitars. If I see one I like I buy it. Thanks again, and God bless.
Doug, I used your Metal Method to learn guitar way back in 1985. Chapter six, metal theory or something like that was crazy good. Some of those crazy scales where hard to get, but I found my jive. Learned those important Rhoads and Halen licks too.
HAWK!
Many thanks Doug. Your video solved my problem of buzzing strings after I put lighter string set on guitar!
Blast from the past, Doug taught me how to play guitar when I was a kid.
DUDE! I have no idea who you are, or if you're in any bands, but I wanted to say "THANK YOU". You communicate in a way that creates a relaxed, (Smoke one)no-hurry, focused environment that I need in order to retain ANYTHING I'm trying to learn. By taking the time to put your knowledge together and share it on here, you're now a fimilar face to the musicians around where I live in New Hempshire... er, Hampshire. Awesome job! The way you teach is something all teachers can learn from, not to mention the actual subject matter you discuss which helped me bring life back to an old yard sale Fender Squire. 420 thumbs up to you Mr.Marks. ~Corey formerly of "Psychosis" Massacre Records recording artist.
You are a master luthier my friend, thank you for sharing your wisdom with us!
Thank you so much for this easy to understand video! I recently started teaching myself how to play guitar and was gifted a strange violin shaped guitar from the 60’s that is in need of some serious work. I love diy, but I want to do everything right, so I’m educating myself as much as I can first.
This is a really great video. Thanks for making it. I wish I had this information when I was a younger.
Useful info = Less pain in setup. Thank You Doug. If you enjoy working on guitars and learning something new the time involved is almost moot... I didn't think a Floyd Rose could be damaged.
Excellent overview by a top pro. Was well worth going over again.
Dropped a gauge size on my Ibanez Jem WM7 (yes, the Steve Vai one which I bought, despite it's flashy appearance, because it was a joy to play). Needed to address the horror of adjusting and rebalancing the action and Floyd Rose Trem/Fixed nuts etc. Luckily chanced on clip this fairly quickly and it answered all questions with the added bonus of the advice re tuning from the middle out which seems blindingly obvious in hindsight and has made the whole process much easier and much more effective. Thanks. After I hit 'Comment' I'm hitting 'Subscribe.
Thanks Mate. The best explanation on setup on the web.
Thanks very much for that. Glad that I was able to help you out.
This was outstanding. A difficult problem made easy to understand and fix. Thank you for this.
You're welcome Georges. Glad that you enjoyed it. I just wanted a video that moved quick enough that you could see an overview without getting bogged down with specifics.
Great explanatory video. One that needs to be downloaded for referencing. Thank you for the upload.
Great video uncle Doug! Not many simple and straight forward vids on intonation or truss rod adjustment. Cheers!
Best setup video on RUclips . Thanks
Another great setup that needs a look at is pickup action! It can clip if it’s too close or sound dull if too separated.
My story: my new Jacksons, Charvel and Washburns came with a backbow ( bow making the strings closer to the neck that made it unplayable because of fret buzz ). I didn’t trust my only known guitar repair shop (paid $200 for glueing a neck on a Charvel single cut Gibson style that came loose just because, the friend I sold it too had to epoxy and I almost lost the sale) that didn’t cost an eye in the face so I did this myself and it’s day and night. A different shred beast all together! Thanks Doug!
Ps: be careful with those suspicious guitar shops that try to sell you $22 strings ( you can’t take the strings you want, they always try to sell you their overpriced strings ) just to start plus neck relief plus the job you need done, its a scam! You’re out $50 dollars before you pay what you took it in for like floyd rose strings changed ( it isn’t needed only if you’ve set the neck relief years ago and needs a review)🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 that shop even pays junior guitarists starting out to do the work for them! I mean it got so bad a friend of mine complained to them about string buzz and they couldn’t find the source of the issue, they said the truss rod was ok, the string action and intonation too... OK SO WHATS THE ISSUE THEN? YOURE THE GUITAR TECHIE FIX IT! My friend discovered ( not the sh1tty shop) the issue turned out to be the junior techie set the pickup height too high and that was buzzing the strings. 😏😏🙄🙄👌👌 needless to say my friend and I never took any guitar back to that shop! Lesson learned: even if you trust the shop ALWAYS learn how to check their work
This is perhaps 4th time I'm watching this video.
Very useful and informative.
Hi Doug! Loyal follower here. Gotta point out one thing.......nut height or even compensated nut. I've had several guitars that were all out of tune (easiest to tell) on the G string second fret. Obviously a bad thing, especially if you use a lot of D chord stuff. But I found even my high dollar axes were slightly sharp on that "A" note. I couldn't explain why my guitar sounded so awesome almost everywhere except for by the nut so I took an old junker I had and started jacking with it. A PRS SE that had been dropped and had a small crack in the headstock. I tried to just barely touch the string to the fret and you could "finger tune it" but when you're slammin out some tunes you really don't think "well I have to touch here more gently than anywhere else". To make a long story short, I figured out it was the string height at the nut causing the problem. Pressing the string down so far stretches it enough to make it go sharp. I lowered the string height by CAREFULLY (ruined a couple nuts learning....the angle you file is CRITICAL!!!) filing the nut groove to get the string as close to the fret as you can go with no fret buzz. LITERALLY put my guitar in tune in more places on the entire fretboard! I found that about .38mm clearance from the string to the fret (nut to first fret) worked out very well. If that doesn't go far enough you can go with a compensated nut but I fixed every one of my guitars tuning problems without one. Now when I play Sweet Home Alabama it actually sounds like the song! Thanks dude! Workin on your study course....problem is I like to jam more than practice....slows the learning process down a lot....but getting there!
From what I understand, the problem with the G string is, it should be wound. In the early 60s the high E was an .012 or .013. thick enough to allow for a wound third. This is what I've heard. It may or may not be true. I have another video that explains how I deal with the problem. When I'm recording and playing in that area I tune the notes individually there. Of course that's not practical on stage. I try to run around to distract everybody from noticing how bad it sounds.
Doug Marks hehe I play with "9's" so my wittle fingers don't hurt so bad......I bought your newest melodic series. Can't wait to dig in......it makes a ton of sense. I've had your entire package for a while but I'm guilty of not practicing.....gotta get to it bro! Thanks!
Best setting up guitar video ever.
Thank you very much.
Thanks Doug! Valuable info. Awesome to hang out with you here in your little corner of the virtual universe!
So clear in a few minutes. Thanks
Doug, thank you so much for your clear and concise explanation of a set up. Your generosity of sharing knowledge should shame all the knockers! What have they ever contributed???
Very nicely made, clearly offered advice. Thank you.
Hello M. Marks. Thanks a lot for all these informations. It's perfect and very well explained, like usual.
Thanks Christophe
In 9 minutes, I'll teach you how to do something that could take a few days. in 60 seconds.
60% of the time, it works every time.
The best video on guitar set up on RUclips thanks:)
love this guy. taught me as a kid.. and re-teaching me now..
Thank you soo much ...this is the most informative video on RUclips!
Awesome job Doug.
Thanks reza
simple and easy to understand.....great job!!
Great instructions.
My Inner-Luthier really likes this video.
Thanks Doug !!!
Once you learn these Set-Up principles, you should be able to Check your Guitar Setup in 60 Seconds. Setup may, take a little more time. Thanks for the Info Doug Marks! Thumbs UP!
Great job of explaining critical information! Thanks, Doug.
I really enjoyed this valuable info, put in an understandable way. Plus the lack of Heavy Metal background music and/or lame attempts at standup comedy really helps. LoL. Thanks
Very informative and extremely well presented. Many thanks for posting.
Outstanding video and information thank you, and you have a new subscriber. It's nice to finally find someone who explains theses settings properly and clearly.
This guy used to do the guitar tutorials and technique tutorials etc for guitar magazine along with Doug Aldrich the Steve I used to do stuff to a bunch of people used to do stuff too but he does know what he's talking about Doug
Great instructions, I knew most and you explained all very well, older rocker or metal person as I am.
Thanks for taking the time explaining. Really appreciate it. The action of my guitar was so high... almost not playable.... and my bridged flowed really high as well... thanks to your tutorial I love to grab my guitar again and play. Thanks!!!
Best mechanical tutorial ive seen.
nice one straight and simple to follow thanks
Cheers Doug!🤘gonna try this! Had a guitar shipped from Japan years ago and not even sure if it was set up! Just been playing it!🤷♂️ 😆
Very much interesting this video, how to check and make the setup quickly. thank you
Thank you very much. Very good explanations. Very good video
Very nicely done. Thank you!
Glad you liked it!
This was wonderfully explained and detailed. Thank you so much!
Good stuff. Straightforward and exceptionally easy to follow. Thanks Doug.
very helpful and very detailed love it plus its free experienced advice thanks keep them coming happy new year
This video totally makes sense, thank you so much for taking the time. I am very new to learning the guitar and was wondering why my fingertips hurt soooo much and why the strings were soooo far from the frets. I guess the answer is they are not supposed to be, lol. I am going to take the time to follow your instructions and set up my guitar (Squire Telecaster) properly. I just know it's going to get a whole lot less painful. Thanks again, awesome!...... Subscribed.....
Thank you, sir. I appreciate your clear and concise teaching method.
Merry Christmas Doug or happy Christmas.
Excellent lesson
thanks so much Doug, great information, clearly conveyed.
Well this was handy😝😝Last week I found a dead RH strat in a skip. The fretboard looked good but the body was all cruddy, pick board was a dog and tuning machinery was grunge too. I must let it be known that I’m a novice LH player who’s brand new LH strat and my acoustic and Amp has been locked away in Spain since January whilst I’m locked down in the U.K..... and this have been pissin me off. Project launch to resurrect this dead RH Strat have been very interesting, thank God for Ebay.
Now all I have to do is to get rid of the buzzing by doing what the man says😝😝😝😝 Wish me luck.....Ohhhhh I need that tool to adjust the trust rod😉😉😉😉 Wish me more luck 🙏🏿🙏🏿
Excellent video,thank you.
Melbourne Australia
You're welcome John.
Thank you bro this was highly informative
Great job of explaining critical information!
This is what I was looking for, Thank you Doug. Hope you got a high while giving the downloads. It gave me a good kick. You are a good knowledge bank. Nice!
You delivered what you promised. I tried many videos with the same tag "set up" but none delivered completely. You demonstrated 1, what all we can do, and 2, what are all available, hidden in an electric guitar 3, how to use them accordingly. Its Superb! Hats off Doug. Stay blessed. Bye.... Ofcourse "Subscribed" 🎉🎊🎆🎇☺
Great video! I have some pretty nice guitars and am getting more serious about my playing. Paying $100 for setups is starting to feel like pedal and new guitar money going to waste! Thanks amigo. I'm going to take the buzz out of my PRS Cust 24. I had it set with 11's and it came back buzzing and now I want to go back to 10's. I'm going to try this myself.