Luthier Tips du Jour - Acoustic Guitar Set Up

[@expat2010]

Precise, clear, no stumbling or mumbling, no bs, no wasted time. 5 stars, mate. Thank you.

[@wildernesswordsmith]

This is the absolute best. My 35 year old Yamaha FG345 II is now perfect! Thank you, W.

[@OBrienGuitars]

Thanks for watching. Glad you found the information useful.

[@ezmuzik9647]

The best tutorial for setting up an acoustic. Im Always coming back to this video each time I set up my guitar.

[@OBrienGuitars]

Thank you. Glad you found the video useful.

[@thomaschin3841]

This is some quality video man 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻 Full of info that every guitarist should know

[@OBrienGuitars]

Thank you. Glad you found the video useful.

[@thomaschin3841]

Thank you for replying sir! I've been playing guitar for only 2 months, I tried to measure my guitar at 12th fret low E string is around 3.5mm and high E string is 2.5mm, is it too high? My neck has slight relief.

[@thewabisabicollective7170]

This is the best setup video on KZbin. Thanks so much! ~Beauty & Peace~ Kyle-

[@PoppinPortraits]

I never knew it was bowed centre of the neck but I’ve now checked it and it’s perfect. Great tutorial

[@FrenchyBunnyStudio]

Thanks a lot! It's just nice to listen and learn from a true professional! Pascal, from Paris,-)

[@undryoasis]

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

[@rafaelbezerra5041]

Best setup video on the KZbin. Thx from Brazil. Made the ajust at my Cort MR600F. The neck came flat, no curvuture at all, lots of rattling on power chords. the tesion rod adjustment fixed the problem

[@OBrienGuitars]

Obrigado por assistir meu video. Fico feliz em saber que achou útil. Abraços de Colorado.

[@MRMR-ss8el]

Best video I have seen on this topic! The only one that covers the critical detail that for a desired change in height at the 12th fret, you need to double that number for the change to be made at the saddle. Well done!

[@OBrienGuitars]

Thank you. Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@Josiahjjr]

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

[@Andrea-fw9rw]

Ottimo grazie...

[@henriquemeira3432]

hello friend First congratulations for your videos'm sure you already helped many people with his kindness I always had the dream of being luthier who are sometimes discouraged by lack of access to information but now I will take this forward and be a real luthier

[@sundar5537]

Thank you very much master Luthier..Best wishes sir..

[@waltersguitars3336]

Best guitar teacher on the Internet!!!!!

[@OBrienGuitars]

Thank you sir for the compliment. Happy Building!

[@Txikibuda]

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

[@wdcustomguitars5336]

Your videos is always very good, Robert.

[@jamesrrodgers]

you are a great teacher, very clear instruction

[@tyfude]

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

[@OriginalZach]

I haven't tried your guitars but they look very impressive. Thanks for the info.

[@mikelavictoire5665]

thanks for this. I am retired and trying to teach myself. I think I will bring my new guitar in to have this adjustment done. I don t feel comfortable doing it myself.. No wonder my fingers hurt i can put 3 quarters under the strings on mine. Thanks again. There are lots of things to learn. Also it helps if it doesn't hurt.

[@redrock1963]

In vids like this I see many comments about rip of guitar techs or poor workmanship from guitar shops etc. I'm glad to see there are many "how to" vids on YT like this one from Robert that, with a little basic ability you can do all you need for this basic setup. In these set up type vids, there are no specialty tools or yrs of experience needed to get a great reult and best of all (unless you are a total dill) everything here is reversible. Even if you don't want to do the work yourself, these vids give you conversational knowledge so when you talk w a tech he can't BS you.

[@OBrienGuitars]

I use bone for the nut and saddle and wood for the bridge pins.

[@MrAndcruz]

@OBrienGuitars i thought so... thanks again and great vids....lots of info to learn from Thanks

[@swagner3105]

one of the best instruction videos for acoustic guitar setup. thanks!

[@OBrienGuitars]

Thanks for watching!

[@OBrienGuitars]

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

[@OBrienGuitars]

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

[@howemusictuition]

Brilliant video on setting up an acoustic guitar.

[@OBrienGuitars]

Thank you. Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@brianwalsh2945]

excellent, so well illustrated

[@DelTangBrav]

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

[@laurentbesnard2669]

my first guitar was a nightmare to set up, buzz appearing and disappearing at many frets . I eventually did it. I've just finished my second guitar and the set up 5 min ago. Your video made it effortless, no buzz, great action for fingerpicking. Luck ? will see for the 3rd one !! thanks so much !

[@OBrienGuitars]

Glad to hear the information worked for you. Happy Building!

[@OBrienGuitars]

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

[@OBrienGuitars]

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

[@f1948s]

Thank you. Very good presentation.

[@OBrienGuitars]

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

[@60ndown]

im developing a deep love for guitars, i have been wondering how to correctly set up acoustics, thank you...

[@OBrienGuitars]

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

[@OBrienGuitars]

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

[@wizardwithguns1]

Amazing detail!!!

[@valuedcustom3r]

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

[@OBrienGuitars]

Glad the video helped. Happy Playing!

[@Pluckyxo]

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

[@tentacruel5297]

This is really informative. Thank you for sharing.

[@OBrienGuitars]

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

[@verydab1]

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

[@OBrienGuitars]

Sim, é importante a ordem. Seria primeiro o tensor, segundo a altura das cordas na pestana e teceiro a altura das cordas nas casa 12 regulando a altura do rastilho. Por útlimo seria a intonação. No video falo das medidas. Pode usar uma lima faca para regular a pestana mas prefiro as limas apropriadas para esse trabalho.

[@lewisfirth6502]

I was going to adjust my acoustic bass that ive just bought 2nd hand with bow and a rubbish action but I now realise that an an experienced luthier is going to be money well spent , great vid.

[@naturesuphoria]

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

[@saulurena7681]

You have my dream job. Thanks for the informative video

[@Cypherdude1]

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

[@Sunambra]

Great video.

[@bbmusgrove58]

GREAT VIDEO , I LEARNED A LOT

[@leonardogoncalves9118]

Sensacional Robert.

[@Ivorymandingo]

good clear instruction, nice video , thank you

[@OBrienGuitars]

Thank you.

[@Mirko1957]

Thank you Mr. Obrien for very good explanation! I was searching only for that distance in milimeters between 6-th and 1-st string and 12-th fret and I couldn't found it only in inches.

[@kamak5678]

use conversion calculator on link : www.google.com/search?q=convert+inch+to+mm&oq=convert+inch+to+mm&aqs=chrome..69i57j6.4631j1j8&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 Examples: 1/10th = 2.54 mm, 1/12th = 2.117 or rounded to 2.2 mm & 1/16th = 1.587 rounded to 1.6 mm.

[@henriquemeira3432]

a respeito da régua que você usa no vídeo é alguma especifica? e a lixa que usa para dar acabamento no rastilho é uma lixa normal de madeira?

[@OBrienGuitars]

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

[@cornholioliolio3668]

Terrific video! Answered most all of my questions. My only (small) complaint would be the use of the word skosh in several places rather than an actual number or range. But with that said, I've researched this topic quite a bit and this video stands out as one of the very best if not the best. Thanks much.

[@OBrienGuitars]

Thanks for the compliment. Glad you found the video useful.

[@blessedwithchallenges9917]

Love it! Tempted to come make a guitar under your instruction...

[@OBrienGuitars]

Let me know when you are ready.

[@cirodiesel1980]

very good video!

[@wildwestpoint]

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

[@RUREDICULOUS2]

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

[@OBrienGuitars]

@Txikibuda Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@henriquemeira3432]

obrigado você tem alguma vídeo aula sua? ou só mesmo os videos no youtube? e com todos os videos seus do youtube da para se fazer um violão? gostei muito das suas informações porque são bem detalhadas com fácil entendimento posso contar com a sua ajuda para qualquer dúvida? ate mais

[@chriskaprys]

great video! many thanks!

[@OBrienGuitars]

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

[@TeleTubeee]

Thanks for sharing! Presentation was well done, too, BTW. Doug San Francisco, California

[@MrAndcruz]

@OBrienGuitars thanks!! when you filed the bridge, did you did grooves like you would do on nut?? cheers

[@MrAndcruz]

thank you, thank you , thank you for the info, you make this vid very easy to understand..... can you do the same baking soda and CA glue on electrics?? what is CA glue cheers

[@PaulRawlins2]

Great video, thanks!

[@Dvox_]

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

[@AprendizdeLuthier]

Nice work!

[@AllenPinchloaf]

Great! Question: What material do you recommend for bridge saddle?And how bout the pins? Some say man made tusq or bone.

[@OBrienGuitars]

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

[@OBrienGuitars]

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

[@henriquemeira3432]

vi aqui no site que você também tem um curso em dvd esse curso seria o mesmo do curso on-line?

[@henriquemeira3432]

na verdade são muitos videos com boas explicações acho que posso fazer um violão com seus videos minha duvida maior também é sobre materiais quais materiais e ferramentas comprar primeiro e assim por diante?

[@blackdogxx]

Good point. For those who want to know what to use a scale, look elsewhere and skip luthierie that specifies measurements in smidgens and skoshes. Most all luthiers use MM or 1/32 or 1/64 of inches of measurement.

[@gwloo]

Great videos. I love them. Say if I put on a thicker gauge strings and the guitar bows a bit more and action becomes slower. In order to get back the action, Is it OK that i only adjust the truss rod? Or is it better to file the nut? Thanks.

[@henriquemeira3432]

obrigado por toda atenção! então amigo,queria saber se existe alguma regra de qual das três regular primeiro:o tensor, a pestana ou o rastilho? e também queria saber a distancia das cordas para os trastes,das regulagens de cada um deles.sobre as ferramentas,que régua é essa que você usa no vídeo,é alguma específica? Tem alguma coisa que pode substituir as limas de pestana?

[@OBrienGuitars]

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

[@Dvox_]

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

[@diegofelixcalderon7549]

I love how you accent the "not" at 2:29 and also the phrase "it's not its purpose in life", as if the truss rod were a living being. Anyway, great video and thank you.

[@TSC369]

Could you please tell me whether you use a capo at the 1st fret while taking measurements of the action at the 12th fret? Thank you. Love from Nepal

[@henriquemeira3432]

thanks for the reply wanted to know if you have any rule which regular first to lash the fuse or tense? also wanted to know the distance of the rope in regulating eyelash, tense and fuse? come with me to review it to make that cavinha that makes the fuse when you give a little abraded and when you have to find the oitva the guitar how this scheme find this octave? and to make this service can substitute something for eyelash files and because I do not have these files yet

[@OBrienGuitars]

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

[@buckethead777]

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

[@DelTangBrav]

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

[@jhaley12]

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

[@Buelligan88]

Thanks for this!

[@OBrienGuitars]

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

[@henriquemeira3432]

I'm from Brazil I'm 24 years old the doubt now and I bought a guitar so he imported've been missing the fuse I bought a fuse already framed and ready to put q realized the strings were high and the sound too dry and bad oq do wonder what the first adjustment which should regulate the fuse first eyelash or tensor? ja hear you have to find the octave guitar As it is the eighth and how to measure the radius if necessary? I hope you help me with many questions

[@OBrienGuitars]

Outra coisa, vou estar no brasil dando um curso de uma semana e Julho desse ano. Procura Luciano Borges para reservar o seu lugar

[@f1948s]

I was always told to set the string at the 12th fret by sanding the bottom of the saddle prior to adjusting the nut. The nut should be the last thing done prior to setting the intonation. The reason was if you adjusted the nut height first and then adjusted the height of the string at the 12th fret by sanding down the saddle you might get buzzing at the first fret . What do you think.

[@OBrienGuitars]

I suppose that could happen but the opposite is also true. Since a larger adjustment is usually necessary at the 12th fret instead of the nut I choose to adjust the action at the nut first.

[@OBrienGuitars]

Thank you for the compliment. Happy Building!

[@johntrik]

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

[@henriquemeira3432]

qual é o valor desse curso? e o mesmo que menciono do site obrienguitars?

[@henriquemeira3432]

qual a melhor opção para mim o curso on-line ou os em dvd? os dvd sao legendados em portugues?

[@woodbox50]

Buy O'Brien DVD on Set up, I bought it a few years ago and still use these procedures on all of our acoustic guitars.

[@OBrienGuitars]

Thank you.

[@henriquemeira3432]

Que bom que você entendeu minhas dúvidas! muito obrigado por toda a atenção, é difícil encontrar um bom profissional que ajude as pessoas com boas informações como você, parabéns!!!! queria saber com a sua experiência de vida e profissionalismo se posso ser um profissional do ramo da luthiaria a base de videos aulas e informações a distância? porque eu não tenho profissionais aqui em minha região para ensinar a arte da luthiaria. até mais, espero que possa me ajudar um abraço!