How to do a guitar set up.

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[@jigilous]

Completely baffled as to why this isn't your most viewed video. Great stuff and thanks for sharing your years of experience and taking the voodoo out of guitar setups.

[@jesterhead9]

This is so awesome. I wish there was a guitar store around me that did this kind of work.

[@johnstratairious7936]

jeeze i got ripped off...they charged me 80 bucks and didn't do half of what you did. 30 minutes with a setup i watched him...and this was from a music shop. thank you for the video...where are you located...i hope you're near me....i would take my guitar to you ina second. great job buddy.

[@0hootsgiven129]

Yeah. All the local shops want to charge $60 plus for two dabs of solder. All work is charged a hour of labor min, plus parts. Lord knows how a string change would be if you didn't know how.

[@fazerain7416]

Degenerate Guitars That’s why I want to learn to do this so I can help my friends for free:)

[@beefnacos6258]

I know man Sam Ash charged me $70 and the guitar play just as bad as it did before and was buzzing all over the place. These luthier's want to have respect want people to come to them for knowledge but when they have people paying $70 for crappy set ups people tend to want to just learn it on their own

[@mmaviator22]

Im in orlando, I pay 40 a set up. Which included a lefty swap, new pickup, pack of strings, and general set up. And this shop has been around for 40+ years. Little place but they kill it!

[@davecastro1340]

@@mmaviator22 Which shop is that? My mom lives in Orl, and here in Miami they wanna charge me 90.

[@12south31]

I use a similar form in my shop. Too many shops do setups without any input from the customer. I want to know exactly what they are looking for. Low action? High action? Factory specs? I do a once over in front of the customer so if I find something wrong, like high frets, I can show them what it is instead of calling them and telling them. That way they trust I'm not just trying to upsell them on something they don't need. While I do this we go over what issues they have and exactly what they are looking for. I also notate any damage so we are both on the same page when it Is returned. I offer many different set up levels at different price points, from simple string changes ( you would not believe how many people just want new strings put on ) light set ups like new strings, lubing contact points, fretboard treatment, electronics cleaning, intonation, polish and wax and neck adjustment to the works including full fret levels. It may be bad for business, but I believe every guitar player should learn most of this stuff themselves. I have no problem if someone wants to come back and watch what I do so they can learn. I find they use their new skills in between bringing their guitars back to me still. Just remember, when getting instructions with your setup, tipping is a nice gesture for the info. Just sayin'!

[@nigelpayne5660]

Phil, Your videos are brilliant and have given me the confidence to check and set-up myself the numerous guitars in my life... Thank you!

[@WalkerHagius]

Wow, I want a thorough setup like this on my guitars! Never going to have Guitar Center do it again. :O

[@turtlemouth]

I've been learning to do my own setups for a little while and that checklist would come in very handy. Is it available for download?

[@robertcaffrey6097]

WOW! this is so impressivley comprehensive nothing is overlooked.

[@RichMLV]

I have been an Instrument Luthier for the last 4 decades working on and customizing Guitars, Lapsteels, Violins, Pianos etc... for The professional Musician industry in Vegas and Colorado. That is the first time I have EVER seen a setup worksheet of any kind! Can I have a copy of it for my use? The ol memory ain't quite what it used to be and that would be very very helpful at this point in time in my one man operation...

[@RichMLV]

Thank You soooo much, you are the best! If you ever get to Vegas and need anything at all contact me...I used to work for the Elgas Family at Pianos Unlimited and Mike Bridenberg at Cinnamon Ridge Guitars in the 70s-early80s but I am homebound now after 2 heart failures, don't get out much...lol

[@pablonazar5993]

@@RichMLV where is the paper? i need it

[@Lex10999]

Very nice video Phillip. I've always wondered what guitar stores did when setting up a guitar. Most of the places I've taken them to didn't do a very good job setting them up. Oh they cleaned the guitar, etc, but action, radius, and lubing the and cleaning the mechanics was never done to my liking, so I learned how to do it myself. That way I get exactly what I want and I know for sure how everything was done. I guess it's a trust issue with me lol

[@mkvc111]

Would you consider incorporating more videos like this one (Guitar Setups & Fixes) into your channel. Excellent clip!!!

[@Titan-gs6cf]

Perfect timing for me to watch this. Got new strings for Christmas and I had to solve a problem or two that I didn't realize.

[@victorrene3852]

I would take my guitars to you for set ups, you are very thorough and professional 👍

[@MetalLizardJesus]

I wish I could get all my guitars set up by you personally man, you do such a great job and clearly know what you're talking about. Please open up a shop in the UK haha.

[@fjk1138]

I wish you were close by to work on my stuff. That is the most thorough check list I have ever seen.

[@southernlongleafoutdoors6304]

You offer a great service, I wish there was a shop near me that offered anything close. Thanks for the great video, it's a great help for me to use to know my gear.

[@matthewhubbert8588]

Hi Phillip I'd love to see you do a full revel of frets and recrown etc. Love your vids and how you present info. Preferably, on a slight problem guitar neck and offer different ways to support the neck and challenges people can have even when you think the frets have been leveled but the guitar still seems to buzz, especially on the bass strings. Is that a possibility? You da man

[@damagi123]

makes me wish I had someone as thorough anywhere near me. I learned to do some simple tweaks and have had to fix almost all the setups ive ever gotten

[@michaelhamerin3814]

The best setup video on KZbin, hands down! I subscribe and luv your channel!

[@guitaranswerguy]

Howdy Phil. If you wouldn't mind, I'd like to embed this video in my next blog post. A lot of my readers don't know what a "setup" is, and that they even need one. Your store is just down the road from me here in Chandler, btw. Hopefully you'll be working the next time I pop by

[@wolfarmageddon]

A great video to help me to convey what I need checked to my local tech, thanks!

[@dragonstorm8171]

great checklist Phillip! Although im suprised theres no check for neck straightness, or truss rod adjustments (if need be). I do all my own setups, and usually one of the first things i do is check the neck relief and to make sure the truss rod is working correctly. My theory is if the truss rod doesn't function as it should, then the rest of the stuff would be a waste of time lol

[@nighttrain022]

Good breakdown, and I am sure you also check how the pickups sound when you set the heights you also check to see if the guitar buzzes or hums improperly like if it is grounded poorly, then fix that as well. These days, it is not uncommon to get a buzz/hum when not touching any metal parts, then have the hum stop when you touch a bridge, strings or other metal part on the guitar. Sure sign of a bad ground, poorly shielded cavities, etc.

[@backroadsgolf3209]

Can we see this to completion,step by step in full ?

[@TheOlmecindian]

You want that tele sound , stick with nines

[@JohnOhkumaThiel]

I doubt it was a whole two minutes before I realized I need to have my guitar set up by a professional. But it’s worth watching the whole video to understand all I’m getting for what, in my prior ignorance, I thought was some pretty basic DIY love.

[@sorenmartens4727]

This is good, there is a lot of stuff I should get checked on my affinity strat I bought a bit before christmas

[@omrikonik]

i'm amazed that you include Fret leveling in your set-ups... where I live it's another 150$ or so.

[@randorider2801]

Very helpful.Any one know where I can get a file with that “patient sheet” ?

[@alwaysrockn2009]

Where’s the pdf for the checklist?

[@maximoskoukos]

@@alwaysrockn2009 Make your own.

[@ericjam6346]

Phil you are awesome man!! Thanks for sharing this!

[@JimBobKP89]

Thanks for valuable info on strings.

[@vdubguy7917]

Where can I find a copy of the worksheet? I have to do a set up for my son's guitar and this would be super useful (especially when it's my first time...)

[@Ibaneddie76]

MAKE YOUR OWN ITS NOT HARD

[@justinvzu01]

Bustopher Jones The link doesn't work anymore

[@ZEGO24x]

SET UP 1 - Clean And Or Oil Fretboard 2 - Clean Electronics 3 - Tighten Tuning Keys, Input Jack And Screws 4 - Set Action To Desired Height - Tune Guitar And Set Intonation 5 - Set Bridge Radius To Radius Of Fretboard If Needed 6 - Determine If There Are High Frets 7 - Adjust Neck So It Is As Straight As Guitar Will Allow 8 - Put On New Strings 9 - Clean Body 10 - Adjust Pick Up Height 11 - File And Lower Bridge 12 - Cut New Bridge Or Shim Bridge Up 13 - Lube Nut (LubeKit) 14 - Check Bracing 15 - Level Crown And Polish High Frets

[@mrdigitalmayhem]

Phil - can you show how to disassemble, clean, and reassemble a Floyd Rose. I want to tackle this on my own and feel like I can do, but I know there must be particulars that I will miss when trying to attempt it. Also, if you don't mind me asking, can you put a link to some of the basic tools you use (fret rocker, neck gauge, etc...).

[@m7alan7johnson7]

Love your videos. Thanks Phillip!

[@pa-pad3781]

🎸~ Thanks Phillip !! ~👍👍 I learned much from just this one vid. 😆🤘

[@TaxPayingContributor]

Searching for stuff you haven't uploaded yet...Bingo!

[@TaxPayingContributor]

Subscribed and solved that.

[@AngelMartinez-qs3cf]

Hey this is great! Very Informative! I had no idea all that goes through a setup. I don't know if those retail companies like Guitar Center or Sam Ash do something like that. I doubt it, unless I am there to witness this, I don't think so.

[@vicpnut1]

What do you use as a standard pickup height ? And minimal / maximum pickup distance from strings ? I've been doing by eye and what seems good ( more or less ) but a starting point would be great for both measurements...thanks

[@brookhoover1384]

Wow, great video Phil.

[@BranoBoda]

Hello Phillip, when using liquid lubricant doesnt the nut catch dust later? I just bought a bottle of very fine graphite powder for a few bucks and it works amazingly well. Experimenting with mixing it up with some liquid that evaporates quickly and does not corode strings or nut (so far I mixed it with some Dunlop string cleaner) The graphite is so fine, that it almost "dissolves" in the liquid.

[@GodInTheMachine]

So to avoid dust, you use finely ground graphite? That sounds like it would look like black dust. I don't have to use much lubricant at all.

[@BranoBoda]

+onemorebrando the graphite feels greasy but nothing else sticks to it. but if you use some greasy liquid to lubricate the nut, it can catch dust and increase the friction. the graphite is very fine and lubricates perfectly

[@alexanderbrobston1590]

Can you make a pdf version of your guitar setup checklist?

[@cmkilcullen8176]

nice vid phil. I really wonder if this much work actually goes into a set up where I have taken my guitars. I somehow doubt it. Wish you were here in NYC. Thanks

[@WesHead85]

Would you make a video on knowing the right time to tinker with the instruments truss rod?

[@WesHead85]

Thanks Paul!

[@iniquity7]

@Paul Hopkins or use a straight edge, it's easier

[@iniquity7]

@Paul Hopkins what u talking about a straight edge is more accurate and a better visual aide. If it wasn't then no one would buy that fret tool

[@Mike_B.]

Phillip, please leave a PDF of that sheet...

[@fredaxmear1121]

I know how to make check marks with a pencil. How about showing how to adjust the action?

[@Kentokkil]

It is a wonderful turorial. - But you should use a fountain pen instead of a Bleistift. - Keesmann Cheers from B.

[@Wooley_Booger]

Phillip, I'm highly enjoying your videos...I also sent an email about the setup/repair worksheet. Thanks!

[@PhillipMcKnight]

Hi Joey. I creating a link for them this week so you guys can change them in excel. The New QA vid will have the info.

[@RobGADV]

I'd love to get a copy of the worksheet too!

[@michaelpelaez7188]

Can I have you do some work to a guitar of mine?

[@jimbingham9329]

Shouldn't you check string height with the guitar in the playing position?

[@4malulz104]

Truthfully, if I dropped my guitar off for a setup, and you had to touch the frets and didn't call me first, I'd be a little pisssed. Not because I wouldn't want the work done, but I would want to make sure the fret was set properly before any leveling was done. So I would hope you have a procedure for your techs to determine if that is the case before they level, like add an entry for them to check the integrity of the fret joint before a leveling job. If that was on the sheet, I would be golden with it... Nice job.

[@beefnacos6258]

I wish that I could seriously ship you a guitar and have you work on it. I would pay what ever

[@k.padraigokane1472]

Great vid, but call it a Checklist for setup

[@chrisclayton2214]

Mr McKnight would it be possible, or have you already, posted your guitar setup check list online so your subscribers could have access to the check list? If not, would you possibly consider posting it? Perhaps pdf? The checklist seems an excellent way to navigate through a setup. Thank you sir.

[@PhillipMcKnight]

Hi Chris, Here is a link to the Know Your Gear PDF download page. I am going to be updating the check list soon as well. knowyourgear.net/pdf-down-loads

[@chrisclayton2214]

@@PhillipMcKnight Thank you sir!!

[@TheFlexXMLG]

cool i wish i had guitar techs like that in hungary

[@JandNandJ]

Great to see a store taking pride in their work! That hasn't been my experience with the big box store. I'll make sure to stop by the store on my next trip home. I'm a loyal watcher, enjoy all of your videos, but pretty quiet in the comments end of things. 👍🏼

[@NYCGoalie]

Translation: There's a lot of equipment you need to do a proper setup, so unless you want to invest in all that gear, take it to a pro.

[@SuperBagMan217]

Wow- very thorough. What store is this?

[@corinaladino2542]

dude right on Philip..... how much does it cost for your business to do a setup

[@jascoplumbingsupply4224]

Hey bud where can we find the link for your checklist. Love that idea! Thanks

[@stevendavis3794]

Can you tell us what you typically charge for something like this? I find that all of the local luthiers where I'm at do the "$25 setup," and I've always known they don't do this kind of work for that. I've often told them "I don't want the $25 setup, I want it done right" haha - but I don't think they even know what that is. I have a feeling the "$25 setup" is changing the strings and turning the truss rod arbitrarily :D

[@vwchad957]

Great check list video....from the title i thought it was going to show us How to do a set up......like your video..just a little miss leading

[@Icesouldy]

Nice video! Where can I get those tools? I am learning to set it up myself.

[@bengosling3838]

Really? 1.25mm on the low e 12th? I have a brand new fender pro tele and thats 1.9mm at the 12th (low e). Is my action too high. I play quite aggresive and like a loose feel btw.

[@denniswalsh8476]

Several times I have worked hard on removing fret sprout without damaging the finish on the edge of the neck. I'm really careful but always quit filing a little early so not to catch the clear-coat and end up with a touch of (not too sharp) sprout remaining. Any suggestions on a better method??

[@PhillipMcKnight]

painters tape helps alot and this file www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools/Types_of_Tools/Files/Fret_End_Dressing_File.html

[@RichMLV]

Also get a fret guard overlay from Stewmac, it is a tim saver when working on an fret filing or correction...

[@timcarstensen9951]

I would love to know the average cost for you guys on this kind of service. Around here this would be $75 for a QUARTER of the work.

[@crispaker]

Hi Phil, years ago i brought my Stratocoustic in your shop for set up, you mentioned you set it up same as yours, wndring what string group was used, so i can replace my dull strings (cant find the paper works anymore). thank you in advance

[@pa-pad3781]

Where is Phillip's Shop location ?? He seems to really know his set-ups 👍👍

[@Ibaneddie76]

GOOD STUFF

[@troublingleaf]

Can you recommend a bridge? I have the tuneomatic type and it works perfectly, but I'm looking to change it, basically the lowest saddle height is higher than I want my action, I'm not sure if the neck through construction is creating a lower fingerboard but I want to bring it down 1 or 2mm and it's just not possible with the current bridge!

[@DimitrisDr3am]

Im not sure if you will see this, anyone feel free to answer. Does a setup in general include buffing down any uneven frets? I noticed on your paper it says "determine if there are any high frets", but nothing about fixing them. Im guessing that is extra (again in general)

[@tommynoisemusic]

dude, where'd you get that cool ass charvel shirt. gotta git me one!

[@amphitheatre3]

So is there an issue if I were to file the nut of my guitar to accommodate a thicker string gauge, but then return to thinner ones?

[@CED3]

Hey Phillip.I normally use 12-54 strings on my strat (with a wilkinson bridge) in standard tuning. However, my band is going to be recording a song in which the guitar is tuned up a full step from standard tuning (I don't plan on using a capo). So, for the recording of that song I'll be using 9s or 10s to get it up to F#. How much change in the set up of the guitar do you think will be needed? (there is only one song in which I will be using those strings) Thanks!

[@_rami_745]

Ryan Sanders all you would need to do is re-intonate it if you're switching string gauges and maybe raise the action a little

[@CED3]

Thanks!

[@_rami_745]

Ryan Sanders no problem, but i dont see why you wouldn't want to use a capo?

[@CED3]

The Iron Sheik it's probably just my experience with cheaper capos. I play a lot of open chords, and the capo seems to deaden the crispness of the open strings slightly.

[@_rami_745]

Ryan Sanders i agree, they usually do reduce the crispness

[@blg020]

How much should you expect to pay for a service like this. My guitar is kinda out of wack after I tried to make some adjustments. I'v been putting off a professional set up for years..

[@danmar007]

Nice video - I'm going to copy that worksheet if it's ok! 😉 But I would have titled it "What to do on a guitar setup" because you don't actually show how to do the setup.

[@vincentmataliano6440]

I bought a telecaster from guitar center and it has lipstick pickups should I change them for better pickups?

[@alext9067]

Phillip, are you saying that you would oil a maple fretboard? Doesn't that have lacquer over it?

[@powbobs]

alex tworkowski He said maple doesn’t need to be oiled in the vid.

[@tristontaylor1593]

when is a setup neccesary? i bought an rg from a pawn shop and the high e keeps breaking. i think its the nut. in addition, the action is a little high. also, what is a good action for metal?

[@sami7983]

Anywhere this list would be available for download? It would be very helpful!

[@chucksturf1348]

Philip may I get a copy of your set up/work sheet?

[@alwaysrockn2009]

Where’s the pdf for the checklist?

[@iniquity7]

Damn Phil I wish I lived in ur area, u actually care about the guitars if I take my guitar to techs I have around my area they will just spit on the fingerboard and rub it with a rag and charge $300

[@MrJoeyBoombotz]

Where do you get your nut lubricant and what is it called?

[@jbolo5378]

What should somebody expect to pay for a setup?

[@dougwirtanen200]

Where can I download this guitar checklist ?

[@davesaenz3732]

Better than new???

[@FASTPISTOLDRAW]

Do you do this for every customer, I but you fees are high .

[@bthellam]

Phillip, did you get your setup tools from Stew Mac?

[@PhillipMcKnight]

I will have a video on tools this week.

[@bthellam]

Phillip McKnight Thanks man!

[@alejandroyt10]

Where can I buy those tools?

[@ricstormwolf]

Do you set the intonation when you do a setup?

[@boricesellers4669]

Rev Wolf it's always best to check the intonation! As specially when you change the string gauge you may need to check the intonation to be sure it is intonated properly!

[@boricesellers4669]

Rev Wolf so in other words yes, when you do a set up, you usually set the intonation

[@brutal722]

Hey Phil QQ is that common for edge trems to have issues with high e's? Never had that on a floyd is there something about ibanez trem that makes em like so?

[@benjaminray2425]

Wow man. Idk if it's the video or what I just smoked. But a little way through that video got a little sicodelic p

[@rowansmart9104]

psychadelic? also its shitty camera stabilization lol

[@aaronmyers1905]

say you got a guitar set up for E standard tuning and wanted to tune a half step down, would this require a fresh set up?

[@_rami_745]

Aaron Myers if you wanted to tune to that permanently, then you would re-inntonate your guitar to make sure you keep that tension and make sure that it is in tune with itself

[@_rami_745]

Aaron Myers but it is recommended that you throw on thicker strings for lower tunings

[@_rami_745]

Aaron Myers oh and lower your action if necessary

[@martyisabeliever]

Is your check list available as a PDF?

[@PhillipMcKnight]

I will have a new video with a new checklist very soon

[@martyisabeliever]

Verified! You Rock!

[@mailvilla]

I have a new 2018 Fender Telecaster Players series guitar. I understand fret buzzing, but what is causing string rattling? I increased the relief of the neck, raised strings to 4/64, and I still get rattle sound on E-A-D strings. What do you suggest?

[@MusicArghya]

I have the same guitar. I know what you're talking about. Best I could tell is because of the 9s which it comes default with. The low strings have a tendency to "jangle" a bit even when you raise the action. It doesn't bother me much because it only happens in the highest 4-5 frets and its negligible to absent when amplified. But if yours is bothering you there's this person I know who switched up to a set of 10s and reintonated it etc. and that more or less solved it for him. Maybe you could try that if you don't mind heavier gauge strings. Best take it to a luthier/set-up guy and have a conversation with them if you're unsure of how to do this.

[@mailvilla]

@@MusicArghya 24/December/2018: This is an excellent informative video by Philip McKnight. I filed the sharp edges off of the ends of fret wires and slightly rounded off the fret wood edges to get that rolled edge feel. I then checked for high spots on frets, and there are none. I checked the hight of the string saddles, so they followed the arch radius of the fretboard neck. So far so good. But, I still had that string rattle 2nd through 4th frets with E, A, D strings only. Thank you for your reply, it was very helpful. You are right that I had 9's on my guitar, and the lighter sting will wobble or jangle more than heavier strings. So, I put DiAddario flat-wound Chromes 10-48 on my guitar, and I was able to lower action on the 12th fret to 3/32" which gave me very little to no rattle at all. I used the Flat-wound Chromes on other guitars, and I liked the smooth feel, and no string squeaking. Taking 9's off, I lost the easy string bends, and easier to hold down stings in general. With the 10's on my guitar, I need to work a little harder, but I love that the rattle/jangle noise is gone. PS: I put in Fender Generation-4 noiseless pickups in my guitar, and I still get a great punchy Telecaster tone. Thanks again, Tom

[@chucknowakowski6676]

Where are you located?

[@PhillipMcKnight]

The shop is in Chandler Az www.mcknightguitarco

[@alal6964]

I'm the 999th person who liked this video...😁

[@0hootsgiven129]

Informative for sure but no work shown. Not exactly what I was looking for. More or less watching the work done. Visual learner lol.

[@Gitfiddle]

You're much kinder than I am. If some "person" dropped off a guitar to me and said "Give it a set up with heavier gauge strings." No other specifications to go by? I drop some 12's on there. Tune it to e standard with sky high action. Boom. Perfect set up. People...

[@powbobs]

Jeffrey Haefner You are what’s wrong with the guitar industry.

[@williamdougie6213]

I didn't see a guitar being setup wtf?

[@kevinstephens9019]

William Munny this is more of a video on what a full setup entails. You can find videos on each individual process involved.