Complete Guitar Setup in 60 Seconds

store.metalmethod.com/doug-ma... - A guitar setup is much easier than most people realize. It's not necessary to be a professional tech to bring your axe back to factory specs. Here's how to do a complete setup in less than sixty seconds...way less.
A complete chapter list can be found below these paragraphs. This lesson is an overview. You can view the whole process in only 9 minutes. Please keep in mind that this is very condensed. There is more left out of this video than included. I also chose different guitars that feature simple parts for clarity. So.... please don't ask why I didn't give tips for a nine string ZR50 with six pickups in drop G tuning. Thanks for understanding.
00:09 The single most important setup adjustment
00:45 Neck bow, also called relief
00:49 Concave bow
01:00 Truss rod defined
01:38 View the relief of your fretboard
01:58 Measuring the gap
01:58 Tools include straight edge and feeler gauge
02:50 Make the adjustment
03:10 Decrease the gap (flatten the neck)
03:38 Increase the gap (add more concave curve)
03:50 Floating bridge angle adjustment
04:11 Spring tension adjustment
04:39 Action (string height) adjustment
05:36 Intonation adjustment - tune the twelfth fret note to the harmonic (chime)
05:50 12th fret is in middle of the string
06:24 Making the intonation adjustment
06:47 If the note is sharp of the harmonic do this to flatten the note until it matches the harmonic.
06:54 If the note is flat of the harmonic do this to sharpen the note until it matches the harmonic.
07:26 Metal Method instructor Dee J Nelson very cool tune, Pants on Fire
09:00 Closing

[@ghostscalper6159]

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.

[@DougMarks]

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.

[@ghostscalper6159]

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.

[@Paul_Warren_Wolfe]

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.

[@AnthonyUFOLundell]

What type of problems are you talking about? What repair are you talking about?

[@cdreid99999]

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

[@Heriberto975]

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

[@danmar007]

A complete guitar setup in 60 seconds in ... 9 minutes! :)

[@DougMarks]

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***.

[@danmar007]

I was trying to be clever. Doesn't always work. The video is great.

[@Iheartdgd]

You must’ve forgot the part where you said to set the guitar aside until the next day

[@krom26]

you saved me the time of commenting.

[@guitarplayer2846]

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.

[@skyeditor1740]

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!

[@johnny6148]

finally a real teacher and very professional. been playing for 38 years and still learned a lot.

[@terrybuchanan1]

Thanks Doug! Valuable info. Awesome to hang out with you here in your little corner of the virtual universe!

[@robertllubnrut]

complete guitar setup in 60 seconds + tomorrow

[@DougMarks]

Sometimes. If you watched the end of the video I showed that the most common adjustment, that affects all other setup adjustments takes about 15 seconds. Sure, check it tomorrow but it probably won't need adjusting. If so, the adjustment takes another 15 seconds. Now we're up to 30 seconds. We have two more days of 15 second adjustments before the total is 60 seconds.

[@teeztoyz]

....uh you titled this vid 'Complete' Guitar Setup in 60 Seconds and the video is 9 minutes. Good info but 60 seconds? The truss rod adjustment takes more than that unscrewing the cover getting all the tools required then measuring. Again good info just sayin your title is misleading.

[@zeljkosiskov3429]

hahahha great answer

[@teeztoyz]

Nit picking? Really? How? When someone says "Complete Guitar Setup in 60 Seconds" and doesn't come even close to that it's a blatant misrepresentation, misleading and a flat out lie. Nitpicking??? Hardly go troll someone else PITA

[@teeztoyz]

Complaining? Take a look in the mirror and re-read what you just wrote HYPOCRITE!!

[@pauldaniels5264]

Finaly someone saying things clearly with a real explanation!!! I love it!

[@uunz4075]

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.

[@FastestGrassAlive]

Thank you for the great video, Doug. I learned a lot. I'm very grateful that you shared this.

[@riansettles2506]

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.

[@AllyRowan]

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

[@alishapeck66]

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!

[@StealthParrot]

This is FANTASTIC! Thank you so much Doug, I've bookmarked this for reference.

[@DougMarks]

You're welcome. Glad that you enjoyed it.

[@kaeljoe]

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

[@wldbill57]

Thanks Doug, for that harmonics tip, and the stretching the string to check for string deadening as well.

[@upr1ght970]

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.

[@christopherobert1669]

Hello M. Marks. Thanks a lot for all these informations. It's perfect and very well explained, like usual.

[@DougMarks]

Thanks Christophe

[@alanIrl99]

Good stuff. Straightforward and exceptionally easy to follow. Thanks Doug.

[@remingiusrentis3132]

Thank You very much Doug Marks for your information on the Every Inch of Electric-Guitar Setup check for Tonation

[@RumbleFish69]

This dude is like the "Bob Ross" of guitars! This is, by far, the best truss rod adjustment video I've ever seen!

[@galus14436]

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!

[@k00lstra85]

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!!!

[@bluetopia42]

This helped me getting rid of the low e buzzing. Thanks a lot, Sir !

[@mechc9937cognition]

this helped more than any other video on youtube, he got right into it, and said and showed everything clearly

[@elcochipit]

Thanks Doug (again), I bougth Metal Method VHS in the late 80´S, helped me a lot..salutes!

[@erinmarie5193]

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.

[@slipperedlobster]

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.

[@johnt5468]

Nice presentation Doug, thank you for all the information.

[@Ears14U]

Great explanatory video. One that needs to be downloaded for referencing. Thank you for the upload.

[@DeadShred9]

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 KZbin 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 !!!

[@frogblues]

I've watched at least ten different videos on guitar setup. This is far and away the best one.

[@DougMarks]

Thank you

[@annafreud7475]

Excellent overview by a top pro. Was well worth going over again.

[@ronjanowski5015]

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!

[@patrickrobinson317]

Great instructions. My Inner-Luthier really likes this video. Thanks Doug !!!

[@Paul_Warren_Wolfe]

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.

[@shakedbarshai3054]

super informative, and clear! Thanks a lot Doug!

[@kevinblock996]

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.

[@josephgetter]

With the money you'll be saving in not taking your guitars in to the shop, you can ... buy more guitars!

[@josefinigo7100]

Dude: Precise & professionally taught.... Cheers!

[@DougMarks]

Thanks.

[@robbieroche6779]

very helpful and very detailed love it plus its free experienced advice thanks keep them coming happy new year

[@SeggyFlun]

Very informative and extremely well presented. Many thanks for posting.

[@dandamerville]

Great job of explaining critical information! Thanks, Doug.

[@dizzitoast]

This was wonderfully explained and detailed. Thank you so much!

[@gavincrispin1436]

nice one doug,took your advice mate and my cheap donner has improved way better than i imagined,great video.

[@americanwavesaudio1962]

Thank you, sir. I appreciate your clear and concise teaching method.

[@seven73ify]

The best video on guitar set up on KZbin thanks:)

[@sstutes1972]

love this guy. taught me as a kid.. and re-teaching me now..

[@akatom2u]

Very nicely made, clearly offered advice. Thank you.

[@Peterplayingguitar]

Great video uncle Doug! Not many simple and straight forward vids on intonation or truss rod adjustment. Cheers!

[@invalidhandle]

This is a really great video. Thanks for making it. I wish I had this information when I was a younger.

[@mani1357mani]

This is perhaps 4th time I'm watching this video. Very useful and informative.

[@colbywilliams296]

simple and easy to understand.....great job!!

[@WingmanGVT]

Many thanks Doug. Your video solved my problem of buzzing strings after I put lighter string set on guitar!

[@brianjoseph2303]

Thank you very much! Great job explaining this. Answered a lot of questions. Subbed for sure.

[@wesleyp47]

This is a great video tutorial. Fantastic! Thank you!

[@glennlangford5897]

thanks so much Doug, great information, clearly conveyed.

[@budm.1450]

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.

[@troyfrost1980]

Doug ! You are a great cool guy with a cool Carven guitar . Troy Frost troyster 😎Cool Riffs

[@robby188]

Thank you very much. Very good explanations. Very good video

[@matey6760]

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.....

[@Jaidezilla]

Omg I remember metal method from the 80s. Tape number five was the best lesson ever created

[@forfpartyforfparty6459]

Jaidezilla yeah...m2

[@stevechannel7588]

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!

[@mevebarr713]

So clear in a few minutes. Thanks

[@djcj]

Great video! Cleared up a lot for me

[@MacawAviculture]

You are a master luthier my friend, thank you for sharing your wisdom with us!

[@santiagobriones410]

Awesome insight man. Thank you very much for Sharing.

[@royaljacobjohncy]

Thank you soo much ...this is the most informative video on KZbin!

[@MRHOUSE-zh4pq]

Thank you bro this was highly informative

[@DJNMusicStudio]

Awesome Doug!

[@DougMarks]

Thanks Dee J and thanks for the cool track under the truss rod adjustment video.

[@GeorgesMayrink]

This was outstanding. A difficult problem made easy to understand and fix. Thank you for this.

[@DougMarks]

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.

[@michaelhawkins6149]

Wow I'm just now finding you on KZbin! Been a fan of yours for years since way back with Carvin. Nice to see that old Carvin BTW.

[@hogtied12]

nice one straight and simple to follow thanks

[@petertyrrell6690]

A great explanation. Thanks for sharing.

[@mhmtksnc]

Best setup video on KZbin . Thanks

[@Mrmarcie]

Very clear instructions. Thanks.

[@kevinthomas728]

Great video. Very well done

[@diegovillacreses7071]

Best explanation in KZbin after two hours of research! Thank you!!

[@DougMarks]

Thanks. I’m glad that you found it helpful.

[@santorapisarda4590]

Very much interesting this video, how to check and make the setup quickly. thank you

[@cardboard316]

Excellent lesson

[@jymebale5545]

Great instructions, I knew most and you explained all very well, older rocker or metal person as I am.

[@Gstation9]

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.

[@DougMarks]

That's great. Thanks.

[@robertgrant4683]

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.

[@4o5919]

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.

[@TanmayBagwetanmaySB]

Wow, You Explained it very Nicely!

[@pango007]

Excellent tutorial

[@vanilmirth9571]

this is excellent guide, thank you very much!

[@ac9110]

Great reference video. Many thanks.

[@miskatonicuniversityavclub202]

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.

[@DougMarks]

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.

[@Hazardteam]

Perfect video. Thank you!

[@joem5140]

Really enjoyed the video. Thanks man.

[@TomGoldsmithguitar]

Bloody brilliant work!!!

[@rezakhan8290]

Awesome job Doug.

[@DougMarks]

Thanks reza

[@sgassocsg]

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!!

[@boogiemorgan]

Thank you for sharing your videos!

[@itaialter]

Thanks, that was informative and very accessible

[@markpell8979]

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.

[@RobertoVaccaro]

Fantastic video!

[@2011batman1]

Wow! A guy who knows what there talking about. 🤘 Good video brother.

[@TheAmateursOriginalMusic]

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!🤷‍♂️ 😆

[@WahPopWah]

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.