Telecaster Setup Guide | How to get NO buzz, PERFECT intonation and SMOOTH playability

If you have never experienced the PERFECT guitar setup, you should! Having a guitar play without buzz, with perfect intonation and feel the same throughout the entire neck is a magical experience that will help you improve on the instrument rapidly! Here I show you exactly how to do it!
PLUS:
I have a larger practice plan that I have developed for students after 20+ years of teaching and performing music. For more info on that, check out my other videos, or visit my Patreon below!
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[@hananesalah4349]

Thank you, very helpful. Could you please do the same for a Gibson scale guitar?

[@rockerbuck967]

This was SO helpful. I just got a 40th anniversary Tele and it's so different than the ones I've had in the past. I love super low action, but I had to realize that this beast isn't ever going to do that - it wasn't meant to. I had it all messed up until I followed this video. I actually don't mind the high action now...maybe that's just me getting older lol. I just wanted it to play better and thanks to you it does. You really earned my sub, sir. Now on to your other content.....

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

@@rockerbuck967 excellent! Glad it helped, welcome aboard!

[@VicSounds3]

I don't have a telecaster, but I came to this video because maybe I'll get me one. You covered pretty much everything great job. But the thing I was interested most is, how to intonate if let's say your high E is good and then the b string needs an intonation, and so for all the other strings, as they go by pair... that's a thing that's keeping me for now in considering a telecaster

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

@@VicSounds3 I use compensated telecaster saddles, my favorite brand is Rutters and those intonate perfectly! Very happy with mine

[@VicSounds3]

@@KoreyHicksGuitar Thanks a lot 🫡

[@marcusmauldin731]

Good information.

[@masterbuilder3166]

Hey Korey . Hope you’re doing well fren. Appreciate you as always 💪

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

You too! Hope you have a great day!

[@valleywoodstudio7345]

All good stuff - I have my action at 2mm on the bass side and 1.5 on the treble - its always felt like the bass strings were lower than the treble if at the same height! YMMV. As to the saddles - I've been really happy with the Gotoh compensated - the other compensated/angled (without grooves) actually made the intonation inconsistent as when the stings slipped, so did the intonation.

[@davegrice3423]

That's the stuff. My sunburst Tele is still fighting me, I'll give it a try with your setup, and let you know. Thx Korey!

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

Excellent!

[@SearchingForTone]

Im going to try that with the G 😎🤙

[@MarlonG527]

Great content.

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

Thank you!

[@macktk0256]

Thanks for this. What is your approach to pickup heights with traditional tele pickups?😃

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

That’s a good question, I always go by ear until it sounds right, but I want the Bass and treble side to be the same volume so I can use my fingers or the pick to control dynamics. I like the bridge pick up to be quite a bit louder than the neck pick up.

[@rescd4]

Korey Hicks..great content and delivery, Thank You. On the saddles, Brass or steel? Does it matter?

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

@@rescd4 on my ‘59 it’s steel, on the ‘52 it’s brass (I keep it vintage spec, but Rutters offers both)

[@rescd4]

@@KoreyHicksGuitar Thanks for taking the time to reply

[@ericmmiller]

Great content! Is there a tone difference between Rutters' brass and steel compensated saddles?

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

@@ericmmiller the steel is brighter and has more bass. I played blackguards with brass for 20 years, and now find myself preferring the steel 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@jimb4074]

Great setup info! Do you cut the G string to a certain length to get the 8 wraps on the post?

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

I usually cut the brand new G string 2 to 3 inches off of the length that comes in the package, which seems just about right with a vintage style telecaster!

[@jimb4074]

Thanks! Going to use these tips at my next string change.

[@RickGtr271]

I have a tele with 6 saddle bridge. I notice on my 2nd string that the 12 fret harmonic and fretted note are in tune. The rest of fretted notes are flat. Not sure how to fix

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

@@RickGtr271 could be an issue at the nut - you could also intonate at various places, including the 15th and17th fret

[@aminahmed2220]

What a fantastic video have a wonderful day also a fantastic weekend also I cut my wrist when my family was sleeping ❤😊😥

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

I hope you are OK! Everything all right?

[@aminahmed2220]

​@@KoreyHicksGuitarI had an argument with my mom about going out of the country next year with the whole family in may the night my family was sleeping I cut my wrist ❤😢

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

@@aminahmed2220 Prayers for your healing, and that it never needs to happen again!

[@paulstebner6492]

Er.... that increases the break-angle. I'm still a fan of it, though.

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

@@paulstebner6492 yeah you’re totally right, I’ll blame the head cold I was having that day 😂

[@JanPanCygan]

Thank you, awesome tips. How cut the nut to stay in tune in fist frets?

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

@@JanPanCygan that is probably a topic for another video, has to do a lot with touch and feel and small adjustments, but I typically hold down the third fret and tap the string and look for a teeny tiny bit of gap

[@JanPanCygan]

@@KoreyHicksGuitar Thank you very much. Subscribed and I'm planning to visit your Parteon