I purchased an SG at the Guitar Center and asked them to lower the action a tad. They backbowed the truss rod and said here you go. I told them that didn't make sense and they looked at me with a confused look on their face. I came here and set up my guitar perfectly. Thanks Dave. I was able to check fret leveling, neck straightness, action at the first fret, etc. The guitar checked out ok.
Unless you get a specific trusted recommendation from a friend to use a GC tech, I'd go out of my way to avoid it. I've seen some really bad work come out of GC's tech bench. Have seen good work as well. It varies a lot.
I learned to do it myself . Little practice and cheap tools or no tools you can do it with UA-cam. I PLAYED globally and never had a pro set up ; I’ve been playing for 4 decades .. rock and roll. Thx f0r video
The color is Jade Pearl, 2013 American standard line color. I have the same color strat model from that year. It's a shame Fender went to the "American Professional Series" moniker for their standard USA strats. Now a standard model is MIM. Go figure. Thanks for all the great videos Dave, best of health and luck sir!
RB Brown I'm not that great at guitar, am 23 years old, and still wouldn't consider a GC setup "professional". I literally know more than them from UA-cam videos alone, which is scary. "Guitar technician" my ass. GC is terrible to employees, and their techs don't care as a result. Imagine a world where they work on your guitar AS IF IT WAS THEIRS.
Yeah. I had telecaster set up at guitar center. Called me to tell me it was ready. Walked in to get me guitar and the tech set it on the counter. Opened the case and proceeded to ask if I liked my strings that high. I looked at it and told him that was exactly how I brought it in. So he looked at the tag to see who set it up. It was signed off he said. So the tech didn’t even touch the guitar but signed off that he had set it up. Ass clowns.
It seems finding a good tech is like finding a good mechanic. Next thing you know you have new tuners n strings and totally don’t need them. Enter the mask “ITS TIME FOR AN OVERHAUL “ lol 😂
Dave when it comes to videos that show you the right way, but also all of the details. All the tools, tool size, etc, yours are the best. So many videos will show half of what you need to know. Then tell you " its as easy as that. Done!", and your left with questions. I played guitar all my life but they were my brothers guitars. So I needed someone to show me how to set up, thank you.
oh that guitar was DEFINITELY set up at a pro shop. Guess how I know? because only a "pro shop" would be smart enough to fix 8 out of 10 problems to make sure you'll be back in 4 months to fix the other two problems you couldn't tell were there until you've had it home a while and those problems become noticeable. It's kinda like the car mechanic who will gladly do a brake job on your car (pads and rotors) but he doesn't change the brake lines when he sees they're starting to go to shit. He'll let you drive it for three months praying a caliper fails because the brake fluid isn't getting to it properly. now you have lines AND a caliper to pay for. Same thing with this guitar. starts with bad first fret action, turns into a gooched nut, a dented up first fret that needs either re-crowning or replacing, and who knows what else it would end up fuckulating...
As someone else already pointed out, I don't trust the feeler gauge method to setup nut height, either. The action setup plays a major role when you do that; also, setting the nut height varies the action, so you can't even say "well, I perfectly set my action before working on the nut", because you should have a perfectly setup nut to perfectly set string action. The "press the string at the 3rd fret and check the space under the string at the 1st fret" method is definitely the winner.
Mr. Dave, thanks for helping me kill time since I am off work due to surgery, I could watch you fix guitar all day long Just wondering where you are from/ filming? Don't worry I gave up stalking just the other day. Smile
LukeBass1000 lol, yeah, fender and gibson is selling name now, look at how many mistake they have made, low quality control, some bad signature guitar with overprice(srv signature for example), etc
LukeBass1000 that's why I'm sticking with a MiM and just avoiding Gibson all together. Only Gibson I'd ever buy would be a V but they dont make them lefty and if they did it'd probably be $3000+ anyways
Seeing as how guitars should be regularly adjusted during their lifespan I wouldn’t really read too much into its factory set up as an indicator of overall quality. My opinion though.
Yea seriously, people think guitars never need any adjustments. And why would anyone buy a brand new guitar unless it is a custom order you made? Just go buy one second hand. I picked up a gibson sg special for $300 in a pawn shop that has a better neck set job than most of the brand new ones, you just have to look for them
I have a theory that suggests guitar techs' capabilities are directly proportional to the perceived knowledge/ability of their clients. They have become the 1970's filling station mechanics.
Dave, love your show, but I'm wondering how many poke marks you left in the backside finish of that Tele each time you missed the hole while you were trying to string it.
My tele is perfectly tuned open and at 12th fret, but 1st fret is sharp which causes me to retune when using capo. What gives? Not cheap. Brand new American anniversary issue.
Machine heads are kind of odd, four short and two tall. I've put new Fender Locking Tuners with the staggered height for years and they are three short and three tall. Anyone know if this is a typical set that someone sells? Rockin Tele by the way! Love dem telecasters!
Hey Dave I have new electro acoustic ..ive set up many of basses and a few guitars with your advice ..but was wandering what first fret action would be a good start point ..at present its over 25 thou ..but if I put 20 thou in on the low e and pluck it vibrates on the feeler ...but there's a sizable gap ....i have 12 thou relief at the 8th fret and haven't managed to work out the action at 12th as my tool appears to be metric ...doh .. Very much enjoy the videos thank you ..
The guitar shop I bought mine from offered a free professional set up worth $70 - I told them if they didn't give me a factory sealed one I would be bringing it straight back - they looked offended LOL
Hey Dave I'm just curious...whats your opinion on eBay build it yourself kits?? Have ya ever built one?.is it possible to build a decent guitar that you can get a good setup on from a build it yourself kits from Korea or China or Japan or wherever they build em
I paid around 3000k for a banjo and the setup was awful these companies should have to setup what they sell or the product isn't in a condition to function
Yes it stands out, this one especially would sound fantastic in a band. 67 years later and we're still loving Leo's creations with a surprised and appreciative "Wow that sounds so good"!
The only time I've had to shim/cut or use the micro-tilt is when the neck is adjusted correctly, but the bridge saddles are set extremely high. I like to adjust the neck tilt so the bridge saddles are near the middle of their height adjustment so you have better range of adjustment in the future. In one rare occasion, I adjusted the neck to use up all the bridge saddle adjustment. The top of the adjustment screws were sharp and the player complained of them cutting into his hand. Even after I tried cutting them down and filing the sharp top edges. Cheap Chinese bridge eventually started shedding it's plating and had to be replaced.
RIght. Like I said... "shim/cut or use a micro-tilt..." If you have a guitar with a micro-tilt adjustment screw, then you don't need to shim or cut the pocket. That's what the micro-tilt adjustment does, allows you to adjust the neck tilt without the need to shim or cut the pocket. If the saddles are all the way down, then you need to tilt up or add a shim. If the saddles are all the way up, then you may need tilt down or to cut the neck pocket or try shimming with a wedge in backwards. Either should work. But I usually cut the neck pocket so the strings are not so far of the body of the guitar. But I've ran into a neck pocket that looked as if it was hacked up by a gorilla. It's amazing what some people do to a guitar.
Hi Dave, I used to wear one of those wrist devices for arthritic type of pain but I found it didn't work. Do you find it works for you or is more of a piece of jewelry for you?
How do you keep time now? (PS As I recall, your dad told you to tap your foot when he refused to buy you a metronome, but I'm talking about watch type time. ;P)
Ok Dave is playing with the 1970"s porno Blur box lol I see these and wonder if he is giving us the finger behind it. Just joking love your vids have been watching them for years. Cheers brother.
It's like any other kind of service...ya got people who know what they're doing and care, then ya got people that don't! I've had so called pro work done in my lifetime that was horrible! Not everyone is as thorough as you Dave. They probably slapped new strings on it and charged the guy $75 or more!
Dave, fret the fourth and press the strings (1st and or 3rd fret)and look at how high they are from the 1st fret wire. Should be just barely above, not touching and not over ,oo5. try it. It works. Also you forget to check 2 whole step bends up and down the neck and bass to treble string balance and neck PU to bridge PU balance. ....but you do seem like a nice chap. :)
Dave, Have you ever run into a "professional" guitar player that actually insisted on a messed up guitar setup? I had one that had a worn out Tele that needed a fret job and a full setup... but only wanted the frets dressed and new strings. He ended up buying a new guitar... and wanted a few strings twice the height of a normal setup?! Almost flat rather than curved with the neck radius. SMH
Tried to buy a sticker just now PayPal can suck it Hadn’t used my account in years soooo... They want proof of address,, and a bunch of other hoops to jump through When I get around to doing it, I’ll get one Sorry Dave Maybe I’ll just open a new account
All my life I've been told that a nut is NOT filed parallel with the fingerboard, but angled down towards the tuners to provide a more defined fulcrum. But what do I know..? And while we're at it....tuning the guitar while the neck is resting on the support only means that the guitar will be out of tune when you pick the guitar up. But what do I know...?
You remind me of a friend I grew up with in Boston... Lotsa laughs and fun to hang with. Thank you and keep the faith!
"...in the prescription below."
This video content is a cure.
I purchased an SG at the Guitar Center and asked them to lower the action a tad. They backbowed the truss rod and said here you go. I told them that didn't make sense and they looked at me with a confused look on their face. I came here and set up my guitar perfectly. Thanks Dave. I was able to check fret leveling, neck straightness, action at the first fret, etc. The guitar checked out ok.
Unless you get a specific trusted recommendation from a friend to use a GC tech, I'd go out of my way to avoid it. I've seen some really bad work come out of GC's tech bench. Have seen good work as well. It varies a lot.
I know nothing about guitars , and still find these vids interesting .. subscribed.
Another day another Dave video! Whoo! Cranking them out.
I learned to do it myself . Little practice and cheap tools or no tools you can do it with UA-cam. I PLAYED globally and never had a pro set up ; I’ve been playing for 4 decades .. rock and roll. Thx f0r video
The color is Jade Pearl, 2013 American standard line color. I have the same color strat model from that year. It's a shame Fender went to the "American Professional Series" moniker for their standard USA strats. Now a standard model is MIM. Go figure. Thanks for all the great videos Dave, best of health and luck sir!
nice, jade metallic. i've got the ocean blue. they always seem to discontinue the nicer colors.
A professional set up? Maybe it was done at Guitar Center. Worst money I ever spent having my guitar setup at Guitar Center.
RB Brown
I'm not that great at guitar, am 23 years old, and still wouldn't consider a GC setup "professional".
I literally know more than them from UA-cam videos alone, which is scary. "Guitar technician" my ass. GC is terrible to employees, and their techs don't care as a result. Imagine a world where they work on your guitar AS IF IT WAS THEIRS.
Going to GC for a setup is like going to a barber for brain surgery!
Yeah. I had telecaster set up at guitar center. Called me to tell me it was ready. Walked in to get me guitar and the tech set it on the counter. Opened the case and proceeded to ask if I liked my strings that high. I looked at it and told him that was exactly how I brought it in. So he looked at the tag to see who set it up. It was signed off he said. So the tech didn’t even touch the guitar but signed off that he had set it up. Ass clowns.
It seems finding a good tech is like finding a good mechanic. Next thing you know you have new tuners n strings and totally don’t need them. Enter the mask “ITS TIME FOR AN OVERHAUL “ lol 😂
Expect to pay at least 60-100$ per hour for any craftsman
A 20$ setup is gonna be a worse job than you could do at home
Dave when it comes to videos that show you the right way, but also all of the details. All the tools, tool size, etc, yours are the best. So many videos will show half of what you need to know. Then tell you " its as easy as that. Done!", and your left with questions. I played guitar all my life but they were my brothers guitars. So I needed someone to show me how to set up, thank you.
Man, I dig that color.
oh that guitar was DEFINITELY set up at a pro shop. Guess how I know? because only a "pro shop" would be smart enough to fix 8 out of 10 problems to make sure you'll be back in 4 months to fix the other two problems you couldn't tell were there until you've had it home a while and those problems become noticeable. It's kinda like the car mechanic who will gladly do a brake job on your car (pads and rotors) but he doesn't change the brake lines when he sees they're starting to go to shit. He'll let you drive it for three months praying a caliper fails because the brake fluid isn't getting to it properly. now you have lines AND a caliper to pay for. Same thing with this guitar. starts with bad first fret action, turns into a gooched nut, a dented up first fret that needs either re-crowning or replacing, and who knows what else it would end up fuckulating...
As someone else already pointed out, I don't trust the feeler gauge method to setup nut height, either. The action setup plays a major role when you do that; also, setting the nut height varies the action, so you can't even say "well, I perfectly set my action before working on the nut", because you should have a perfectly setup nut to perfectly set string action.
The "press the string at the 3rd fret and check the space under the string at the 1st fret" method is definitely the winner.
shredgd5 with the method you mention at the end there, what should be the distance b/tw the string and first fret?
Mr. Dave, thanks for helping me kill time since I am off work due to surgery, I could watch you fix guitar all day long
Just wondering where you are from/ filming? Don't worry I gave up stalking just the other day. Smile
toronto
Hi Dave long time watching not being able to comment. Good job! Still drinking yuenling lager woohoo!
Reasons why I don't trust the two big guitar manufacturers. Costs an arm and a leg and then you got dodgy stuff like this.
LukeBass1000 lol, yeah, fender and gibson is selling name now, look at how many mistake they have made, low quality control, some bad signature guitar with overprice(srv signature for example), etc
LukeBass1000 that's why I'm sticking with a MiM and just avoiding Gibson all together. Only Gibson I'd ever buy would be a V but they dont make them lefty and if they did it'd probably be $3000+ anyways
Seeing as how guitars should be regularly adjusted during their lifespan I wouldn’t really read too much into its factory set up as an indicator of overall quality. My opinion though.
Yea seriously, people think guitars never need any adjustments. And why would anyone buy a brand new guitar unless it is a custom order you made? Just go buy one second hand. I picked up a gibson sg special for $300 in a pawn shop that has a better neck set job than most of the brand new ones, you just have to look for them
I also like the cuh...
R.I.P. camera battery.
Beautiful guitar!!
The A string goes in the A hole lol 😂
Jade metallic. Always a nice color.
A word of advice- when using a file , use only forward strokes. Not back and forth like a saw. That does nothing, or so my shop teacher told me!
I have a theory that suggests guitar techs' capabilities are directly proportional to the perceived knowledge/ability of their clients. They have become the 1970's filling station mechanics.
Fender necks drive me crazy. If ya get a good one it's awesome, but a bad one is almost always unfixable.
Dave, love your show, but I'm wondering how many poke marks you left in the backside finish of that Tele each time you missed the hole while you were trying to string it.
exactly what I thought! man, he isn't very careful or respectful of someone's brand new guitar!
It's Jade Pearl Metallic.I've got the same guitar.
Guitars are for boys
Isn't it nice when a set up goes all smooth and easy the way it should without any wild surprises?
RockYouVideos Wait, so that's something that actually happens?
Dan Adrian lol. Once in a blue moon of Kentucky and a decent Telecaster is usually involved.
I build up my feeler gauges to the top of the Fret then I add whatever height I want to do it and then I follow the radius at the the nut
I finally subscribed. I’ve learned a lot from your videos.
Dave files the nut - 18thou, I file the nut 1"
Gotta love those “Pros” 😂
Every time I watch one of your videos then go look at my tele and sigh 😔 it needs work lol
"Put it in the right hole this time, Dave."
How often do you hear that? lol
i think the color is shoreline gold if i can remember correctly
whats w/ the blurry box dave ?
Something comical, I reckon.
To censor out his phone. Probably forgot to remove it from the other sections in the edit
LukeBass1000 I thought UA-cam's boner filter was detecting Dave's clear excitement at handling Axe's
thanks i was curious,thought he was experimenting w/ some software
I believe the color is called Andromeda
My tele is perfectly tuned open and at 12th fret, but 1st fret is sharp which causes me to retune when using capo. What gives? Not cheap. Brand new American anniversary issue.
Also that's really odd. Professional set up but lack of a professional diagnostic?
How'd they not tell the nut was gooched?
Machine heads are kind of odd, four short and two tall. I've put new Fender Locking Tuners with the staggered height for years and they are three short and three tall. Anyone know if this is a typical set that someone sells?
Rockin Tele by the way! Love dem telecasters!
Hey Dave, what feeler gauge are you using to check the neck relief? Also, when doing this, are you holding down at 17th fret with capo on 1st?
Hey Dave I have new electro acoustic ..ive set up many of basses and a few guitars with your advice ..but was wandering what first fret action would be a good start point ..at present its over 25 thou ..but if I put 20 thou in on the low e and pluck it vibrates on the feeler ...but there's a sizable gap ....i have 12 thou relief at the 8th fret and haven't managed to work out the action at 12th as my tool appears to be metric ...doh ..
Very much enjoy the videos thank you ..
Im no rocket scientist but could neck relief mess up the low fret string height?
Yes, but it would do so to all strings equally. In the case some were too high, some were too low.
The guitar shop I bought mine from offered a free professional set up worth $70 - I told them if they didn't give me a factory sealed one I would be bringing it straight back - they looked offended LOL
Sweet colour!,Sherman Tank Pearl?
Jade Pearl Metallic! Lovely color...
Hey Dave I'm just curious...whats your opinion on eBay build it yourself kits?? Have ya ever built one?.is it possible to build a decent guitar that you can get a good setup on from a build it yourself kits from Korea or China or Japan or wherever they build em
Hi Dave - Will there ever be DWoFS t-shirts again? :)
Dave's World of Fun Stuff ooh, great. I'll gladly wear the logo with pride whilst walkin down Gooch St :)
I paid around 3000k for a banjo and the setup was awful these companies should have to setup what they sell or the product isn't in a condition to function
300k for a banjo?, did u win the lottery
Great video you as usual, but What's up with the blur box?
That Telecaster sounds great.
Yes it stands out, this one especially would sound fantastic in a band. 67 years later and we're still loving Leo's creations with a surprised and appreciative "Wow that sounds so good"!
Hi Dave.. I Like your video's
How do you know what size of string your Telecaster was made to fit right
MY pant antler is no truss rod but you are my pro stiffener??
Sonic Gray? At least that's what it looks like from a slightly color blind guy watching on an iPhone. 😁
Or Antique Olive... possibly.
hey Dave. When would you need to use the micro-tilt on the neck?
The only time I've had to shim/cut or use the micro-tilt is when the neck is adjusted correctly, but the bridge saddles are set extremely high. I like to adjust the neck tilt so the bridge saddles are near the middle of their height adjustment so you have better range of adjustment in the future.
In one rare occasion, I adjusted the neck to use up all the bridge saddle adjustment. The top of the adjustment screws were sharp and the player complained of them cutting into his hand. Even after I tried cutting them down and filing the sharp top edges. Cheap Chinese bridge eventually started shedding it's plating and had to be replaced.
RIght. Like I said... "shim/cut or use a micro-tilt..." If you have a guitar with a micro-tilt adjustment screw, then you don't need to shim or cut the pocket. That's what the micro-tilt adjustment does, allows you to adjust the neck tilt without the need to shim or cut the pocket. If the saddles are all the way down, then you need to tilt up or add a shim. If the saddles are all the way up, then you may need tilt down or to cut the neck pocket or try shimming with a wedge in backwards. Either should work. But I usually cut the neck pocket so the strings are not so far of the body of the guitar. But I've ran into a neck pocket that looked as if it was hacked up by a gorilla. It's amazing what some people do to a guitar.
Makes sense. Thanks guys.
I'm in Australia how do I get a pick and sticker for guitar case??
LoL Dave said "safety squint"
What brand or type of neck support is that you have? I need it. Looks new. Where did you get it? Oh, and great video as usual.
Sorry Dave i should have watched the hole video b4 commenting!!Dohhh!!Cheers
Hey Dave, is it possible to send you my guitar for a much needed proper setup. Please.
awesome!
How can I get a sticker?
Was that Nut the wrong radius???
It was set up by a pro at the shop... Bass Pro Shop.
Little Shop Of Horrors
Hi Dave,
I used to wear one of those wrist devices for arthritic type of pain but I found it didn't work.
Do you find it works for you or is more of a piece of jewelry for you?
How do you keep time now?
(PS As I recall, your dad told you to tap your foot when he refused to buy you a metronome, but I'm talking about watch type time. ;P)
So many guitars with neck problems. Has any guitar maker ever been successful with a steel neck?
RB Brown Travis Bean Guitars had solid aluminum necks and they’re great.
Great video as per usual Dave. The color of the Telecaster is Inca Silver. All the best to you and yours.
Jeez........Is it Inca Silver? or Metallic Jade?Jade Pearl? Sonic Grey?....
how to get Dave's sticker .nice stuff Dave
Staggard tuners messed up!Would be my guess
is "staggard" a new brand of tuners ????
Would like to get your your facebook page Dave whats the name of it.Thanks
Perhaps if buyers returned the guitars to Fender/Gibson etc, along with the QC labels, they might be taken more seriously.
@ 9:19 .. if I had a quarter for every time I heard that...
Ok Dave is playing with the 1970"s porno Blur box lol I see these and wonder if he is giving us the finger behind it. Just joking love your vids have been watching them for years. Cheers brother.
the color is olive green
the color is metallic barf flake green....
Where you be without your 'file card' eh, Dave?
Everyone needs a file card.
It's like any other kind of service...ya got people who know what they're doing and care, then ya got people that don't! I've had so called pro work done in my lifetime that was horrible! Not everyone is as thorough as you Dave. They probably slapped new strings on it and charged the guy $75 or more!
Dave, fret the fourth and press the strings (1st and or 3rd fret)and look at how high they are from the 1st fret wire. Should be just barely above, not touching and not over ,oo5. try it. It works. Also you forget to check 2 whole step bends up and down the neck and bass to treble string balance and neck PU to bridge PU balance. ....but you do seem like a nice chap. :)
Dave,
Have you ever run into a "professional" guitar player that actually insisted on a messed up guitar setup? I had one that had a worn out Tele that needed a fret job and a full setup... but only wanted the frets dressed and new strings. He ended up buying a new guitar... and wanted a few strings twice the height of a normal setup?! Almost flat rather than curved with the neck radius. SMH
John Knospe was it jack white? lol I here he likes his guitars very hard to play
lol, nope. But some artists are a very strange breed.
Tried to buy a sticker just now
PayPal can suck it
Hadn’t used my account in years soooo...
They want proof of address,, and a bunch of other hoops to jump through
When I get around to doing it, I’ll get one
Sorry Dave
Maybe I’ll just open a new account
I’ve gooched most of the nuts on my guitars.
Its Jade Pearl Metallic! I have a J-Bass in that collor:D
Nice Tele......
Hey lets watch Dave do a simple set up for the 1000th time for patreon money
All my life I've been told that a nut is NOT filed parallel with the fingerboard, but angled down towards the tuners to provide a more defined fulcrum. But what do I know..?
And while we're at it....tuning the guitar while the neck is resting on the support only means that the guitar will be out of tune when you pick the guitar up. But what do I know...?
ok great
oh shit this one has a real bridge. not that 3 saddle bullshit
Mitt Romney owns most of GUITAR CENTER RIGHT. ..????...WAS TOLD THAT ....
This happens when you put a nut cut for a 12" radius on a guitar with a 9.5" board.
sweetwater is the same way...51 point inspection and free setup pffft.
INCA SILVER??........
👍👍😎✌️
so helpful. love your videos. you need a girlfriend?
I think he's married , I heard someone calling out for him once
Hes got groupies
Look at those shaky hands and quavering voice. I think Dave has taken too many antihistamines.
pro setup.... guitar center probably. schmucks...
Why are you measuring string height so low ???? And I hate these videos. No one gives specs. No one just wants to watch you change strings.
Jade pearl metallic
Jade green, Incase anyone's wondering
a q ueer ray bracelet loveleey
A queer darwood darr....loveleey
Is it You Tube or is it your camera but the picture quality is for absolute shit.