8 easy steps ANYONE can do to transform your guitar! Setting up the Fesley FDK800

[@webstermiller7765]

Just a couple of small additional things I would have done. The neck screws shouldn't thread though the body, they should be able to easily pass through it. This allows them to pull the neck tighter to the body when tightened. Next, after you restrung it and got it back under tension I would have then simply backed each neck screw out about 1/2 turn to allow the string tension to pull the neck into the pocket and then tightened the neck screws back down. That's also a good time to make sure the neck is centered and that you have the same distance from the edges to the fretboard to both E strings.

[@wallyinthebox1]

I remember in the hangout someone said they dont know why people like thin necks. I prefer thin necks but its what is comfortable for the person to play. Thanks for the setup vid, Good advice RJ. Have a Great weekend Bro

[@DaveFromTyler]

I liked this video a lot... you made it interesting, but you always are REAL and not FAKE... Bravo..!

[@MainPrism]

With the amount of videos on YT about set ups I'm still amazed more people don't do their own... I used them to teach myself and haven't paid for a set up in idk how long. I've even started building guitars in the last few years. Learned almost everything by watching YT videos. This is the age of information people. Take advantage of it!!!

[@thebaldshredder]

Yep. Exactly!

[@MainPrism]

@@thebaldshredder there can be some nerves involved when first doing it. I understand that, I was a little nervous as well seeing as how it was a PRS I learned on... Just go slow and make small adjustments. When learning ANYTHING that has to do with frets I would highly recommend ordering a cheap neck or 2 or 3 off of Amazon or Ebay ect. That stuff takes a little practice. I'm really glad I did cause my first level/recrown was less than beautiful 😂🤣. Now I enjoy working on guitars and making them as much if not more than actually playing them. It's relaxing for me. Good luck and TAKE YOUR TIME people. It's not a race and the more attention you pay to detail the better off you will be!!!

[@BoltRM]

Everyone says only tighten a teeny bit at a time.

[@wjewell63]

Ditto man....👍

[@Sm0kn]

Do you have any recommendations for set up videos thanks non floating bridge😅❤

[@timesurfingalien]

Great video. Every guitar player needs to know these things. I've discovered that tuning the e strings first helps. Really like the tiny screw trick

[@user-gs2nq3rs8l]

Thanks, man.I've been wanting tdo that to several guitar.That I bought and I just didn't play because I weren't set up. I don't get the tools ordered. And give it a shot. This is a thing. I love about your channel. You do all kinds of stuff. If crazy funny stuff, Siri is stuff. And I always learned something. Thanks dude

[@JamieLynnMorris]

🎶🌉🎶🎸🎶🌉🎶🎸🎶🌉🎶🎸 I LOVE when you do videos like this one! I'd been thinking of ordering the tools and Boom! You showed me exactly what to get. Until today, I had ZERO knowledge of how floating bridges work. I just love learning new things about guitars. THANKS SHREDDER!!! 🌟⭐️🌟⭐️🌟⭐️🌟⭐️🌟

[@retropuffer2986]

Great tips. I don't think stores do a good a setup like they used too. More the reason to learn how.

[@thebaldshredder]

Very true!

[@michaelstell6834]

I’m learning…. Thanks for sharing!

[@RafsGearReviews]

Great basic set up video!

[@RobertDarry]

Was looking forward to see this video after you talked about this on the live stream. Hope the shoulder is getting better!

[@marlan3rd]

I like the way that you have simplified the set up process. Cool trick with the allen wrench to remove the ball end of the guitar string. Well done!

[@TheworldofMattias]

Wow, a set-up vid! Great tips mr Shredder!

[@PeterErikson-rd5tj]

Good Detail on this vid. -- very helpful.

[@Jackie_Rosewood]

Awesome job!! 🎸🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@robertvance1873]

Awesome Video Thank you Shredder 😁

[@LesterMitchell]

This is a masterclass right here! Very generous lesson!

[@thebaldshredder]

Thank you kindly!

[@TheRealRoadhog]

Hi Richard, I've been maintaining guitars for 50 years. Going to do this point form to make it short. 1) Anytime you pull the strings off your guitar, unless it's a maple neck, you should condition the neck. I've been using RAW Linseed oil on my guitars for fifty years and swear by the stuff. Amazing on Rosewood, works well on Pau Ferro. 2.) Always use 2 hands on a fret rocker is my belief, learned that the hard way. 3) Neck relief should be done with the strings on, what you did so you could check for uneven frets is fine. And maybe as you use .09 to .042 strings, allowed you to get away without checking neck relief after the fact. I use .011 to .052, I always have to tighten my truss rod after I have tuned up the guitar after a full setup. 18 of my 22 guitars use a floating bridge. 4) I believe the Fesley neck radius is probably 12, the saddles are meant to follow that radius and there is a cheap set of radius guides that should be used. The 2 screws at the top and bottom of your floating bridge is where the string height adjustment should have been done. 5) And most important, you did not check and adjust your intonation. Setting your guitar's intonation is one of the most important aspects of a setup. If your intonation is wrong, chords and notes as you progress up to the 12th fret and beyond, won't be in tune. Almost forgot. Stewmac sells maple shims at varying degrees and are worth every dime. Long ago I used to shim a neck like you just showed, the full maple shims are superior in so many ways. I am not being critical, just want to share what I have learned over 50 years and I am still learning as new tools and methods for performing these tasks evolve. What you do for the community is awesome, keep it up.

[@thebaldshredder]

Hey man, thanks for all that advice. I'm definitely not a pro so I'll take all the tips I can get. Some of the things you mentioned I might normally do, but I didn't want this to be a 30 step video that was an hour long. I wanted to give beginners some easy things they could try that would not be too intimidating if you know what I mean. I usually check neck relief after I put the new strings on, but it just wasn't necessary this time. I set the action using the individual saddles because I needed to match the radius. I don't like to turn those two bridge posts unless the saddle screws are maxed out. I didn't do intonation because it wasn't necessary on this guitar, and again I didn't want to have too many steps and overwhelm people. Anyway, you're not being too critical. I appreciate it all. I'll definitely think about those things next time. Thanks.

[@thementorsband]

😅😅

[@Sm0kn]

Houdy, Could you recommend any videos on setting up a schecter c1 non floating bridge ? thanks

[@TheRealRoadhog]

@@Sm0knUnfortunately I looked around for you and found nothing. Worst part, went to their site, and they do not provide factory specs, like string height, etc. For the most part, all electric guitars are basically set up the same way. Most important parts of the set up is intonation and neck relief. And you can of course, adjust some of that to your personal preference. String height would be adjusted by the 2 round wheels under the bridge, and being a fixed bridge, intonation should be a breeze. Sorry I could not be of more help.

[@TheRealRoadhog]

@@Sm0kn Your guitar uses what is called a Tuneomatic bridge, very similar to what a Les Paul uses. The video I am pointing to should be a great baseline for you kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpPXqnqiobWDZtU

[@MartinBlasick]

Super helpful. My notched straight edge is out for delivery. This is a great video. Every guitar player should watch.

[@JamesIrving-h5l]

Your ability 🪄 brilliant 😁

[@WatchfulHunter]

Ordered the neck straight edge. Didn't notice I didn't have one. Thank you for your kindness. I believe every action is recorded in time. Nothing is lost. I'm left handed. Hard to find Ibanez Lefties. I have 6 electric lefties. Each a different type. They sound so good I forget to check details.

[@heatherwade2373]

Ha haa I love that yellow sign in the background that says Don’t Touch My Guitar!

[@clutch2827]

I think you should probably check fretboard straightness again after you have string tension on it. I could be wrong though.

[@devinnoel9066]

You're not

[@TonyFuentesTV]

Great video! Love it!!! 👍👍🔥🔥

[@ChrisBrown-oo4bf]

Nice vid. Lots of great info on how to do stuff. Thanks so much.

[@edwilson7629]

I'm liking this video. No b.s. just good info and some shredding!!!

[@tomarrowscatch8368]

Very informative bud Good job😊

[@ericgauthier2665]

Nice job and teacher ☝🏽

[@johnie19644]

I have the fesley fsg350 coming I’m going to give this a shot

[@JD-vj4go]

I'd never used paper as a shim before. Thanks for the tip I don't have a way to cut a wood shim and haven't been able to find a precut one that fits my guitar. But I can cut paper in my small place.

[@thebaldshredder]

Yes try the paper shims. They work great.

[@Moonmaster85]

Good video man need to set up my Firefly!

[@okreal-Smarticus]

Glad you don't use interval trem set up,it seems kinda hard. the fesley is great

[@bushcry1]

That was entertaining! I usually just check pickup height at 12 frets. You could verify how straight a neck is with strings on, also. Or is there an advantage without strings placed?

[@thebaldshredder]

No, no advantage. I just did it that way because I was changing strings.

[@uncleremus64]

This is great for beginner or novice guitar players/techs. You do a good job of explaining things and break things down in a simple way.

[@jimmyz2098]

Another great vid, Richard. Simple and clear instructions. Your vids are always good. This one is gong to help a lot of people out! Good stuff. Love that guitar, too! That's another one I want. Sigh....

[@supernoobsmith5718]

Glad you spoke about floating strat style bridges. It is a PAIN to set floating. And you have to adjust it AGAIN once your strings are well broken in.

[@johnboe412]

And then those inevitably rust out and thus the cycle continues.

[@unk-tu-amunthelastpharaoh553]

Great Video there brother...I have those tools but I've been a little fearful of adjusting the truss rod..

[@theubie]

I only own a single acoustic electric at the moment, so the tools and most of this set up doesn't apply to me, but once I can afford to get an electric again, I'll probably take a stab at my own set ups. Thanks for the video. I'd love to know what you are using to get that tone on the shred demo at the end. It's killer.

[@LeeTaylor-kq8qs]

I recently bought a guitar neck straight edge tool I bought on Amazon. I took 3:27 it to work to check the straightness on a surface plate. I found that it was bowed about .015 thousands of an inch. So I fixed it by grinding it on a surface grinder. Now it's dead straight. So a heads up for anyone using a straightness gauge. Make sure it's straight first.

[@timedwards1220]

Dude, you have a Line 6 Spider III 2x12? Wow! I'm a Line 6 guy myself! Have a Spider III 15 and Spider V 60! Bad ass amps! !😁🤘🎸

[@Sm0kn]

Great!!! Would be cool to see you do this again with little better camera work to understand neck pocket string height stuff. Still confused about string height. Love my C1 Schecter, but I need to set it up❤

[@michaelstell6834]

Good to see you wearing your eye protection… OSHA compliance is a must!

[@petercase9583]

Wondered what your favorite strings were.

[@ared18t]

Oh man if this video was out 6 years ago it would have made my life so much easier LOL. I did manage to learn all this but it took me about six months of scrounging the internet haha. It's difficult to learn when you don't even know what you're trying to learn.

[@greasyzach]

that tiny spring thing is actually what american strats have. easy to lose, i couldn't figure out why mine was so sloppy , but luckily they sell them for way more than they're worth lol

[@Briansgate]

That was some of the fastest setting up I have ever seen! But actual serious question: Shouldn't you recheck the flatness of the neck again after you restring it? since string tension puts pressure on the neck or is the difference negligible?

[@thebaldshredder]

Yes you should, but usually there is very little change.

[@brianekholm6100]

Plumbers tape works best for a loose wiggle stick

[@mygt8a4re]

Killer vid! Love the flamed maple with the white binding on that guitar. How's that trem holding up? Did it stay in tune after a few deep trem dives? Just sub'd 🤘

[@thebaldshredder]

It doesn't stay in perfect tune. After the strings get stretched out, it should be pretty good.

[@mygt8a4re]

@thebaldshredder appreciate the input, keep up the great work man!🎸🎸

[@richhall3861]

Would you be willing to do an episode of leveling frets and crowning them?

[@thebaldshredder]

No. And the reason is because I'm not that great at it! There are plenty of other videos already out there that explain and demonstrate it much better than I could.

[@papablue3015]

Nice job! Good info for beginners! Thanks Shreddermister 🤘 😊 I've been working on guitars for 30+yrs! Playing for 50+ yrs! 30+yrs Bald!😮

[@JerryWhite-ee5hy]

Cool. I subbed. Oh, wouldnt you want to adjust the truss rod (flat edge)while strung and tuned? Then lower the tuning and adjust and retune until the neck is flat while strung and tuned up??? Just a thought....🎉

[@thebaldshredder]

Yes absolutely.

[@JerryWhite-ee5hy]

@@thebaldshredder And the fret rocker, I string and tune. Then check the fret rocker. If you do these things while unstrung,you will get mixed results. The tension of being strung and tuned is like 70+lbs on a guitar neck. It will cause frets to pop up and cause buzzing. Try this, do your normal repair/set-up,then after restrung,an tuned,check it with the fret rocker while strung. This helped me find the elusive high fret. Sometimes 2 or 3 will pop up and it hard to figure it out.

[@mishmashmedley]

how do you know whether to tighten or loosen the truss rod? is it based on if the neck is basically convex or concave? (ie bowing up or down)

[@thebaldshredder]

Yes exactly. If there is a gap under the straight edge in the middle, you tighten it (righty tighty). If you see a gap on either end, you loosen it (lefy loosey).

[@mishmashmedley]

Thank you so much!!!@@thebaldshredder

[@davidschultz5209]

Did you consider lowering the two point trem screws (2 hex crews)to lower the action? I notice you went right to the saddles after you shim the neck. I am ready to do this to my FDK800 to lower the action. Thanks for the video. Another question, is this fret-board ok to oil with the same oil I use on a rosewood fret board?

[@Lesspaw41]

So what was the action height on low E?

[@concernedoldandwisepatriot2650]

I got same guitar, BUT when I lowered my strings fhey hit the middle pick-up, and I could not lower the pickup. Ideas?

[@scottfaustlives]

Why would you not put a set of locking tuners on immediately and a Graph Tech nut?

[@samizdat113]

Well I was subscribed. Re-subbed.

[@timducote5713]

So Richard, when you set your action, you don't match the radius of the strings to the fretboard? Are you just setting them all at the same height across the neck?

[@thebaldshredder]

Actually I do, I just didn't show the full process because the video would've been too long. I check every single string with my gauge at the twelfth fret to get them at about 1 mm. So it's back and forth with the gauge and adjusting the saddles. By doing this, it ends up matching the fretboard radius.

[@timducote5713]

@@thebaldshredderGot'cha. That sounds like a good method than just using a radius gauge like I generally do. By the way, your channel is great and so is your playing. Have you ever thought of doing an episode showing some of your shred licks?

[@allmostbrothers]

Are they SS frets?

[@zeuszoos8386]

N00B Here: When I install the Trem Bar, how tight should I screw it in??? Because if I screw it in until it just stops (no force), then it's way out of position. So I would have to force it to keep turning it to be in position (I didn't). But if I back off so that it'll be in position, then it's not screwed in all the way. Is that why you used the spring? To make it like it's screwed in all the way??? If so, did you use a particular spring (Part #)? Sorry that I'm asking stupid questions. Just bought a guitar (this one) again after 40 years and even back then, I never had one with a Trem Bar, so first time for me.

[@thebaldshredder]

Don't force it. I used one of the springs that holds the pickups in place. Or you could try a tiny bit of that white plumbers tape on the threads.

[@timedwards1220]

Nice! Learned a lil there! Also watch SixStringStanger, GuitarMax and Sean at Scarred Guitars! 😁🤘🎸

[@zeuszoos8386]

Okay, maybe I missed it, but my FDK800 (just delivered) has an issue with the Fret Bars (dividing the frets). They are rough/sharp and dig my hand/fingers going up and down the neck. How do I fix that? It's really not that playable as is!

[@thebaldshredder]

If you're talking about the fret ends, you can get one of those sponge sanders from any hardware store or use a small piece of sandpaper. Just be very careful not to scratch up the wood.

[@n8iws484]

Did 2Yards show you all of this info?

[@unk-tu-amunthelastpharaoh553]

I'm always fearful of messing with The Truss Rod..

[@rusty_shakleford3395]

Where did you get this guitar

[@thebaldshredder]

Amazon. There's a link in the description.

[@guitarfanatic2000]

Intonation?

[@POLLOTROM]

You just showed us how to save $100 in guitar setup.

[@BackWoodsBillyCraftBeerReviews]

Love the Ernie Ball Strings. .My wife and I both use them on our guitars.. Great Tips .. You were working hard on stretching the strings. Have you seen a string stretcher. Eddie Van Halens Luthier well former one Tom Webber swears by them. Looks like s did 🪒 razor handle. Note Both TEMU & ALIE EXPRESS have knock off ones $1.79 each my wife and I each own 6 each. That way you can use 1 for each string. They get hot from stretching the strings. So Tom Webber alternates using 3 of them. 1 just figured the knock offs are so cheap Just by 1 for each string. You can look for the video of Tom Webber setting up a #evhguitars the FtankenStrat. They save time & energy. So well worth the investment. The guitar is beautiful BTW. Cheers 🍻🥃🥃 🎸🎵🎶 🎶🎶🎶

[@BruceShadley-yk6nx]

i have that guitar

[@Kenji-ds9rf]

there is a much better way to set the floating bridge...Lock the bridge, tune it up, release the springs....Done!

[@toddstewart9922]

Nothing better than working on cheap guitars and listening to some good music. Be glad when I can play it without it sounding like a couple of cats fighting. Lol

[@kevinwhite6172]

Why do people want 1.0mm action? I just can’t get along with it that low.

[@terrypussypower]

The lower the action the better, the lighter the strings the better and the lighter the guitar the better!!

[@samizdat113]

1

[@thebaldshredder]

2

[@JamieLynnMorris]

3 😊

[@dan_perry]

Dr. this patient needs a Floyd transplant STAT!

[@metal1mark73]

I like Leo Jaymz guitars better than Fesley.

[@thebaldshredder]

I like them both.

[@metal1mark73]

@thebaldshredder but if u had to only choose one?

[@BoltRM]

​@@metal1mark73Don't make him choose! He wants to be in good with both 😏👍

[@leblon712]

​​@@thebaldshredder How about the Fesley LP model? FLP 350? Can you review that one?

[@antilaw9911]

Very poor idea to shim the neck pocket. You are taking tone and resonance away from the guitar.

[@trinacria1956]

Was just gonna leave w no comment but title says 10X better. A lot of good info on KZbin...but not always. Why bother w a fret rocker and leave bad fret alone. It has been confirmed by many luthiers that partial shims are bad and on and on. Ok, cheap guitar but..

[@rockoutmichigan]

cry harder