The Ultimate Guitar Set Up with Makoto Terasaki of Takamine Guitars

Makoto Terasaki is Takamine's Chief Designer, luthier and guitar tech to the stars. We were lucky enough to have him go through how he sets his instruments up and what to look for to get your acoustic guitar playing perfectly.

[@MartinSage]

In 1994 bought my 1st guitar based Only on Sound. It was a Takamine Accustic. Today, I play it 3-4 hrs/day. It has 12th fret action of 2.7mm on 6th and I have never adjusted the truss rod! Amazing quality. It still looks like it did the day I bought it new. I will Never sell it. The tone has gotten Richer over the years as the wood has aged. Yes, made in Japan. Good enough for Nancy Wilson...good enough for Me.

[@anthonyglennmollicasr.425]

I was afraid to fix my Takamine, but watching a master do it inspired me to try it, thanks for posting this video.

[@martincosgrave9416]

It is brilliant to be able to see a master of his trade at work and then to hear the results of his work in the guitar playing at the end is absolutely wonderful 👍👍

[@Mike61259]

He is just magic, he set up a Takamine guitar. Wow

[@dawidczerniak5177]

Only one word comes to my mind... respect

[@WilliamRNicholsonLST-1195]

Fantastic video & best guitar setup I have seen ! I saw many performers in Las Vegas get their guitars setup prior to new gigs on The Strip & never saw a better setup on any guitar than this demo of how a real pro does it ...........

[@terrynaude284]

Really enjoyed that, my first Takamine is around 30 years. Got a lot out of it but it needs a good service. I wish for someone with this man's ability to get my Takamine back in trim. Terry South Africa.

[@DRealFatguy]

Excellent video. Thank you Makoto-san and AstringsUK

[@huskym6]

This was such a wonderful video to watch, I so love Takamine guitars for their quality at the price they sell them for, and seeing this man who is obviously gifted and experienced, set it up so well... Plus that wonderful playing at the end... marvellous! ❤

[@garygrinkevich6971]

watched this for reference on setting up my gs430s, I'm impressed at how low that action looks without any buzz, definitely want to try some of these tricks, my neck angle is jank from changing string gauges too much thank you for sharing this video, I've used that string winding technique for years i learned it from a fender tech video many years ago.

[@andreaskarras954]

I was lucky enough to meet with Makoto at the Islington Guitar Fair last September. A really lovely man. I only wish I had a Takamine for him to set up when I was there. I've recently bought a wonderful ef341sc which already plays but would love to let him have a look at it when he next comes back to London.

[@MichaelCGatesMusic]

Awesome! I just bought one and was afraid to start sanding. Didn't know they had spacers. Made my day... went from not liking the guitar, to loving it in a few minutes.

[@justinbagley9598]

Congrats! Which one did you buy Michael?

[@collinstanton]

What a finish!!! Super nice guitar playing.

[@stevejarvis1366]

Just found this, I have the same guitar and glad I watched because the split saddle is sanded down from the top, not the base as usual, my guitar now sounds like brand new with a different tone altogether, amazing video thanks guys

[@AmericanConstellation]

I've got a Takamine 12 string and it's out of this world.

[@chewedon]

Floating in space right now is it?

[@boldvoltage639]

Me too. It's better than any other I've seen or played in person.

[@karismith2550]

Me, too. I also have the 6 string cutaway. I've had both since the early 90's. Takamine fan for life!

[@8upJoker]

I am a 100% beginner. I went into the store with all intentions of buying the Yamaha 830, I played about 10 to 15 guitars I had no knowledge of Takamine. There was a wine red Takamine gd30ce that kept staring at me. I finally picked it. W❤W!!! The sound is amazing, the color is gorgeous and I'm not a red color person but W🔥W!! It is an absolutely beautiful guitar. I now own it and I can't wait to learn how to play it. To me, it was the best sounding guitar I picked up!

[@Greghc48]

Great info. Thanks for posting.

[@cecilio0180]

bought a GN10CE, waiting for the shipment. very excited

[@Private-lw1td]

Awesome to see Makoto and his expertise! I just wish I have a dollar everytime he says "daso". I'll probably be able to buy another Takamine 🤣

[@Miguel_Cam]

😅🤣😂

[@John-km2uw]

Fascinating to watch a Master's skill that he shares to better the lesser knowledge folks.

[@professorhamamoto]

I have two different Takemine instruments purchased used from Japan via email. Excellent guitars. Wish they would make a parlor model, (but without the piezo pick-up).

[@markschiba2234]

I have a takamini

[@MrTelescope1]

Beautyful sound from that guitar . What amp are you going through.

[@jackquentin1950]

Hello there, I made a transcript of this video but I can't share the link here for some KZbin-related reason. Let me know if you want to see the transcript :)

[@nicolasgarcia7305]

I play a Takamine, I drive a Lexus, and ride a Fuji. I love the way Japanese reach not for perfection but optimization. Great video!

[@garettbodel3002]

I'm in union carpenter that has a ton of sideward I make more then you. And I deserve it. I was working for $10 an hour back 92. And I used to stop at this guitar shop once a week period and check out the guitar period and the guy knew I was a Alice in Chains. Pearl Jam fan. We got to load in Guitar is that what everybody uses on MTV Unplugged they're amazing you got to try one. They were like 1500 bucks back. Then then. The guy knew I was a working stiff but I can play and I loves music. So I said hey if anybody brings one of these in or there's a used one I would like to try to buy. He said nobody's going to get rid of these guitars period two weeks later he calls me up can you get down here within the next 45 minutes spirits and it was a local place I said yeah I just walked in the door I'm coming in and I got my work boots on and everything I put a clean shirt on. He said nope do a couple jumping jacks before you get my car and get down here. The next town over is Norwell Massachusetts if you live that you got a huge money. I walked in there to the hottest cougar you of the scene in tennis dress. A sixteen-year-old kid that looks like he was still high. She said is this the guy. And Steve says yes. She says I'm busy this guy says you like these guitars and you want one how much money do you give me right now. I pulled out my wallet I had 75 bucks. She took 40 dollars. And says you can have it for $250. Just give him $50 a week on Friday. Can you do that. I said I'll make sure it happen. And they walk out the door. The guy at Music Unlimited told me that the kid came back with straight F's. On his report card. And found a bag of weed and his dresser drawer. So he straight away tried to sell me a nice pay for it on layaway which I apply Blige. And that's how it got $2,000 guitar for $250

[@ajbaker1213]

Got a takamine gn90ce in the post, so excited haha

[@Edwin-E]

informative video and great guitar!

[@justinbagley9598]

Great video. Could someone please post a list of the exact tools he is using for each technique? That would be so helpful.

[@shanejamieson8350]

This is a good video would like to know what the music is at the end and what tuning is it tuned to sounds great

[@MaHa-mr4rn]

Great instruction, thank you very much ! Please let me ask you for your recommendation of saddle material ? my Takamine GN51 has plastic (the order bone), I prefer bone. Now I ocassionaly found a hint to 'ceramic' !? Which material will improve the sound to more 'clear' and which for 'more warm and soft' ? (I have 5 different guitars from Takamine) Kind regards from Markus (germany)

[@tellmestraight]

How much did theTakamine NP-25C guitars originally retail for? How how much are the worth now? I have a chance to get one that is a little bit dinged up but probably the only way I can afford a guitar like this. Really appreciate some advice and expertise.

[@antalnagy8075]

Great job. Watching similar videos in the last 2 years I seted up a lot of guitars, even installed preamp system on my last sold full solid one. And like this video because it Co firms that what I did to those guitars was not wrong.

[@RickyPearson]

Ii ust got my hands on one of these guitars, looks brand new, the action was very high. I removed the shims before watching this video but oes look like it needs the full works.

[@aldospiteri5538]

Hi, I have a Takamine G series EG321C , and i find it difficult to bend the strings properly , also it cuts alot of strings ,is it normal for this model ? Or all the Takamine guitars are like mine?

[@hang-sangitch]

Holy shit that guitarist is good 👍 Great tutorial.

[@joesegretto6689]

If you were to take the shims out of your guitar would you have to adjust the neck also to lower the action I've seen a lot of videos on KZbin where people are taking the shims out I tried it but I lost so much sound on my guitar I put them back thanks

[@onurguner5286]

My gn90 is brandnew and needs all of’em if you prefer super low action. Still great guitar out of the box. 13th fret wire is problematic, a little bit low cuz they clamp it there while manufacturing.

[@jl9752]

Awesome to see the head luthier himself from Takamine giving some love to a guitar. It would’ve been funny to have a counter in the corner to keep track of number of so’s

[@stranger3135]

where can i buy this split saddle? i need new one thanks

[@hang-sangitch]

What model is the guitarist playing at the end!!

[@stallion2907]

Loved this. I wrote down everything he did so I can look at my Dreadnought LTD-90 and see if I need to make adjustments. I'm pretty sure I do. The action is incredibly high and makes it so hard to play. But can someone add proper English captions? I really wanted to understand what he was saying at the end when he was talking about airspace and specific action. I just couldn't understand hardly anything, nor did the camera zoom in to give a visual of what exactly he meant.

[@graou_paou]

@@jackquentin1950 .

[@jackquentin1950]

@@graou_paou Damn. Did I forget about this Link: bit.ly/3kCHUEr

[@aroundthefur]

Stuart Ryan. Nice

[@stephenlillington1478]

what was the string gauge great video

[@charlesang3729]

What is the size of the Allen key? 5mm or 3/16ins?

[@mwj5368]

Thanks for the very nice video! I don't know if I understood this right. Makoto measured the gap with the 6th string 12th fret at 2.5 and 1st string 2.0, then said to be to Takamine factory specs it should be 1mm less? So at the 12th fret it's 1.5 at 6th string and 1.0 at first string? My Takamine No 10 from 1986 I bought used for $1,000 and sounds beautiful. It was stored for 37 or so years and never played as when I put new strings on I could tell they were the original strings... My carefully measuring it with a 31mm long rule and having to eye it, at 12th fret 5mm 6th string and 4mm 1st string with my classical or nylon string guitar. It has no truss rod, and the repair guy said he'd have to trim the saddle down. He said because I play in Open C a lot the strings would buzz and he wouldn't do it. The strings are so high that when I play that far up the neck it is easy for my fingers to slip off or roll off the strings. I can play only very carefully, but it's annoying. He's very good and has done adjustments, repairs etc for some very famous guitarists... but it's still a problem. Is he being too cautious? What should I do? I don't want to go back to him even though I asked him 1 1/2 yrs ago as it might sound like I'm second guessing him etc

[@theMuritz]

No 2.5/2.0 is the spec and this one was 1 mm plus, that’s why truss rod adjust wasn’t enough, so he grinds down the Bridge! Very clear of you listen again. „This’a one mm up’a ….😉

[@geraldhills41]

I have a takamine and the 3rd string is really lower in volume and the depth of the saddle slot's really deep .

[@Ervinabrahamian]

Daso daso...I didn't know I needed to learn how to decode Japanese slang in order to learn how to setup my acoustic

[@jhayrcoching6831]

What is the name of the song that He play at the last part of the video?

[@jasonbrooke5032]

WHAT REPLACEMENT STRINGS SHOULD I GET FOR A 1977 F-307 TAKAMINE?

[@josephpuderer1368]

When I got my brand new Takamine pulled it out of the box and it need a whole setup

[@bjneltner365]

I have this same exact guitar. Ordered it today new from the factory. I’ve adjusted the rod and the strings are still way to high. I wonder if all these models are like this. Gonna take it to a tech tomorrow

[@renandias7926]

Probably there's a shim underneath the saddle/pickup, taking the shim off wil lower the strings like 2.5mm or so (considering the 12th fret). If there are 2 shims (most likely) yoi can take them off and it will lower 5mm, which is probably enough. But first measure the strings string height (gap from the bottom of the strings to the top of the 12 fret), while pressing the strings at the first fret. If the low E string is like 2.5mm or 3mm this is considered normal. But If it still feels stiff, it might be the nut that is too high, then the nuts slots needs to be carefully filed at an angle, just like he did on the video. Or it can be the combination of both saddle and nut. It's better to leave it to a tech to do the job, unless you have the tools and the time to research on how to do it. But it is fun after you learn how to it yourself

[@KurtSchoenfielder]

My Takamine saddle had 3 shims. I took all 3 out and had some buzz at the 12th fret. I put one back in and the buzzing is gone and it plays like a dream. I'm fairly sure that is your issue.

[@tedhalloran9886]

I own a 210ce plus and I'm very happy with it. I recently bought a GS mini as a travel guitar because it fits in the overhead. The problem is that it will not hold a tuning for more than five minutes, and forget using a capo.I don't mind that it's not a dreadnought sound, but if it can't stay in tune, I'll donate it to a good cause. I had a Taylor tech work on it, no fix. I wonder if Mr Terasaki could fix it, or is it a lost cause.

[@tedhalloran9886]

Well I watched two videos tonight and I commented on the wrong one. Actually, I like my Takamine more than either Taylor.

[@ethompson526]

Dude just buy some new tuners for it. Problem solved.

[@TheLifeTerm]

If your GS is not staying in tune for more than 5 minutes, then the solution is painfully obvious; you need to replace the tuners. Seriously, what else could it be?

[@MegaCoKO]

couple of things i noticed... he never marked the string spacing on the bridge saddles before sanding? other thing was after the fret levelling he didnt do a recrown? open to reasons or correction.

[@theMuritz]

Yes he did recrowning with a special file, before he goes over it again with a softer sandblock very gently to smoothen the radii I guess

[@giovanniprado7156]

Which one is Better Pin or Pinlesa bridge?

[@mrmonster3434]

Is he free-handing that pen mark for the saddle profile!? Wow.

[@tomastalos9436]

Nope, had a template on his desk ;)

[@GuitarraTotal]

whats the name of the song at the end? ... awesome player too

[@jordicladera3199]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bH2rnGuQZrWmr6s

[@stringman509]

I have just brought a takamine gd90 ce I've had the shims taken out but on the 14th fret of thin e string I've got a bit of a dull sound does not ring what is the problem please Colin uk

[@joesegretto6689]

I kind of have the same problem I took the shims out but and it played kind of dull lost sound

[@user-gq8pr5mw9u]

What series?

[@kosmaskinang8107]

what song he play,can we try to learn it with tablature

[@werahikoclay2208]

Have you guys tried a crafter guitar its all done by the factory

[@lukaszpiasecki]

14:43 😂 Love it.

[@willb3698]

Don Van Villet? What? Anyway - amazing stuff.

[@willb3698]

That is EXACTLY how I do my setups. And then I cry.

[@mohitrahaman]

:D

[@abrackas1]

Too bad they didn’t use a condenser mic at the end intead of plugging it in.

[@MrTkeddo]

Low D on the E string.

[@DarrenJohnson1973]

So begs the question why did it need a setup if it just left the factory

[@michaelmccormick7005]

this uh special japanese tool, you no have.

[@jesusvivian5279]

Meaning?

[@michaelmccormick7005]

@@jesusvivian5279 i was making fun of the way he speaks .if you don't understand it you never will.

[@Private-lw1td]

Makoto having a little fun there 😆

[@leatrinidad9935]

I can not understand what he is saying. Do you have an interpreter?

[@chinnychinchin6175]

Flattened the frets?? No recrown..

[@steentompkins]

Yep! He got on the pretty good with paper and block...and never looked back! And also, he went all lumber jack on that high E nut slot...WOW!

[@ozoneswiftak]

I cringed when he started filing. I use a long bar with sand paper made for this. Also i get the neck straight after i remove the strings for the set up. Also i like to round off the frets, not leave them with a flat suface. . I guess everyone is differant.

[@theMuritz]

He rounds them with a special tool the second sanding is a softblock, which gives smooth radii after crowning

[@FURDOG1961]

0:15

[@collinstanton]

Love this show, very informative. Shared on my social media with pleasure. No problem if you'd like to "pimp" my Takamine...😉😉

[@moritzhummel9747]

"da soo..." is Japanese for fu***** Guess KZbin didn't know that :-)

[@willb3698]

And for everyone else it means "so it is".

[@prolotherapy]

Lol

[@philipsutton2316]

Man oh man - I thinks these guys shot themselves in the foot with this one. Here is a brand new Takamine out of the factory and here is the top guy giving it a 'once over'. However - what do we see? It should have left the factory in perfect condition - but oh no! He had to shave the bridge down, horror of horrors - he had to file down the tops of the frets - WTH?? If they leave the factory that far from perfect, I'm wouldn't touch one with a forty foot pole!! I'm sticking to my Maton!

[@jackquentin1950]

You're assuming everyone plays the same thus requiring the same specs. Some players like low action, some players like high action. some are fine with factory settings. This is done for a musician with specific needs. I'm personally fine with factory settings but sometimes I think the action is too low. So I have to make my own saddle to get it up to the specs I want or get it to a tech like Makoto. Factory settings are just the middle of a bell curve.

[@TheLifeTerm]

Your "Maton" costs 4 times as much as Takamine G-Series guitars. If Takamine had to spend this kind of time on every guitar, they would rival the Martin in quality AND cost. It's a trade off. Buy a G-Series for $500 and spend a couple of hours setting up the guitar, or buy a Martin for $2500 and show all of your guitar snob friends, just how well you made out.

[@Miguel_Cam]

Check your bullshit spelling after writing should be your top priority hobby.

[@garettbodel3002]

What are those Japanese special guitar tools I would like to have everything period and the two different grades of sand paper. I have a Taiwan G Pro Gold Series if my kids hold on to it yo they're in the thirties with down payment on two houses. If this guy I don't think you ever leave the family. That's why I need the tools. Cherry red she's fucking beautiful

[@killthebuddha5034]

soo

[@oscarmilstein8026]

sooo oooo....

[@wildernesswordsmith]

What the ??

[@terrydactylspontaneous2596]

Beginners have just taken up another instrument after watching this.

[@djsundeen]

Does anyone else see the irony of a Takamine guitar tech having to do so much work on a new Takamine guitar to make it play correctly? This does not instill a lot of confidence in how these guitars come from the factory.

[@BlueJay7850]

Your making the assumption that everyone plays the same. Some people play with a heavy hand some play with a light touch as in this video and some people are fine with a factory setup. I have a light touch and like to play fingerstyle. As a result, I want the lowest action possible. First thing I do when I buy a new Takamine is replace the 12's with 10's. Then I will make a minor neck adjustment with the truss rod to lower the action for the 10's. I recently bought an EF740FS TT. The factory action was much higher than my P3NC, by design. It is set up for heavy strumming and playing slide. I did the same thing with the strings and truss rod adjustment. The action was still too high for my taste. I had a setup done on this guitar. This video is about a demanding professional that wants a specific setup. It not about a setup the needs to be performed on every Takamine guitar.

[@MartinSage]

You don't have a Clue Bro. Stick with your Fender.

[@unrequitedpipe]

The thing with the japanese is they do everything extra...[and if you don't speak millennial, "extra" means overachieving to the point of excellence.]

[@shadako2]

Every brand new guitar could use a setup as parts shift by the time you buy it. This setup is also for best tone but wears the guitar quicker. eg It is better to leave material on the saddle etc so new players wear it out over time.

[@PatioDawes93]

I doubt you will find a guitar that is set up perfectly out the factory because they are set up to a mid point where it’s not too low otherwise if you want the action higher you would need a whole new saddle. It’s set up to a point where it feels good but you can always take it to a tech to get it lowered to your individual specs.

[@yoheff988]

For the love of god, I can't understand one word LOL

[@willb3698]

go faster, go faster!

[@MRROBBIEWATTS]

Only ONE thing puts me off buying one of these Guitars - The Headstock! - Ugly! - :(

[@chinnychinchin6175]

Play one for awhile, that headstock will be something you end up loving.. Well maybe .. it is ugly .. But TAKAMINE FOR LIFE!!!

[@M.A.P99]

Hate the headstock. Just can't get past it.

[@joeshmoe7967]

As opposed to a Martin? Curious what headstocks you do like. I have a Guild D55 I like. Just bought a Tak Monday (Jan 2020) Plays great, sounds good, and the price was right. Headstock didn't enter into it.

[@djtru6199]

The tasteful technician perinatally work because step-daughter premenstrually measure underneath a astonishing drama. lumpy, direful advertisement

[@19701201]

なんでか知りませんがソーソー言い過ぎですね、惜しい。日本語でエーとかそんなニュアンスなんでしょうけど、そこまで 喋れるなら是非意図的に矯正されては如何でしょうか。

[@guitarreromxl74]

This is not how a guitar is set up. He’s free handing everything with little to no attention to detail. I was expecting more from Mr. Terasaki : /

[@RedBB-sr2nw]

you can't ever go wrong with Japanese craftsmanship

[@MartinSage]

What? He was exact. 2.5mm at 12th. 1mm reduction in action =0.5mm off bridge. LISTEN next time.

[@jumbo4billion]

Nah, this is an expert craftsman at work

[@Private-lw1td]

It might look half assed but remember this guy have decades of experience and has been a guitar tech to some of the world's biggest artists. I'm pretty sure he knows what he's doing.

[@guitarreromxl74]

@@MartinSage No. A 1mm saddle reduction = 0.5mm lower string action height at 12th fret. I guess only non luthiers are impressed by this video.

[@RenzoRavioli]

My saddle has no spacers. Is the only way to lower action to sand the saddles, truss rod adjustment didn’t help. 12th fret pretty high . Brand new koa g series

[@ronaldgoebel2174]

I've been a guitar tech for over 45 yrs and I never seen a more haphazard setup. Why did he do a half baked fret level and sanding? I didn't see him check it before he did it or say why he would do that not knowing if the frets were already level or not. He did wrap the strings on the post properly though!

[@joesegretto6689]

I took the shims out of my guitar and it played like crap I put them back in