Basic Gretsch Guitar Setup -- You can do this too! 5427tg
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- Опубліковано 31 тра 2024
- Basic guitar setup on a new Gretsch 5427 anyone can do. In this video I change out the factory round wound strings for a fresh new set of Thomastik Infeld Jazz Swing flat wound strings, using a few simple tools and published setup specifications. I also give the guitar a full setup including neck relief, string action, intonation and pickup height, with tips for stringing a Bigsby tremolo bridge. Thanks for watching and time stamps below.
Guide:
00:00 - Intro - Check Links in the Description
01:46 - Restringing a Bigsby
05:00 - Truss Rod (Relief)
11:46 - String Height (Action)
16:22 - Intonation
19:47 - Pickup Height
22:53 - Final Thoughts
Gretsch Setup Specifications: www.fmicassets.com/Damroot/Or...
Fender Setup Specifications:
fendercustomersupport.microso...
#Gretsch
#GuitarSetup
#NewGuitar
#5420
#Electromatic
#Filtertron
www.gretschguitars.com
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He has the best way of teaching to an everyday guy who don’t wanna pay
Thanks Rick!
That 5427 looks very nice, the blue color with gold hardware is perfect, and I like that they brought back the tombstone inlays and took the “Elecromatic” lettering off the headstock
after 55 years I now know how to do it properly Thanks
Thanks for the feedback!
You can also push down on the bigsby
to relieve the pressure on the strings to raise the bridge instead of having to detune the guitar.
Great tip Keith, thanks for posting.
Good tip... you know though, there'll be some bonehead who'll lean on it too hard and go through the front of the body... 🤣
@@somebodyelseuk Se la vie, some people learn the hard way
Top tip: I bought an 'old school' pencil eraser - the thick square block type - cut it to a wedge shape and just wedge it under the pin when I install the string. Admittedly, it doesn't help when you remove all the strings, for the first couple of string you fit. Of course, you still need to bend the end of the string, but I know the string won't fall off the pin, while I'm stringing up.
I have more than eighty guitars. Each time I go to the “vault” to work out with a different guitar, I’d practically go broke taking each guitar for a pro setup. I’m not pro yet at servicing my guitars, but thanks to your video, I’m saving some righteous cash. THANKS!!!
Thanks for the comment Jim, glad the video is helpful!
James, great video. By the by, Roll Tide Roll!
Thanks. Really appreciate the comment Papa. Roll Tide!
This could not have come at a better time. Just brought one of these 5427's home yesterday. After letting her acclimatize to our home/climate, I'll be giving her a thorough assessment for setup. While I'd normally just hand this off to a local guitar tech, I feel absolutely comfortable taking this on myself thanks to your tutorial. Thanks much for this valuable intel!
Thanks for the comment Richard. Enjoy the new Gretsch!
Good move, there is no sense paying some one to set a guitar up the way they prefer it. It's simple to do and you'll get it the way you want it.
Thanks for the video! I just did my first setup today on my G2622T P90 model.
I noticed your Bama football. Greetings from Tuscaloosa, and Roll Tide!
Thanks Bobby, Roll Tide!
Thank you very much! Your excellent instruction takes the mystery out of guitar setup. I really appreciate your sharing your knowledge!
Thanks Stephen, I really appreciate the kind comment.
Dude, your videos are so helpful! Thank you!
That's awesome, I'm really glad to hear that! Thanks for watching and thanks for the kind comment.
Thanks for sharing! Very useful information.
Thanks for watching Mike!
Thank you so much for this video. Everything was beautifully explained,really easy to understand.
I have learned a lot.
Peace and love from London 🎶🎸👍
Thanks for the comment Mal, and thanks for checking the video out. I am really happy it was helpful!
Great instructional video. I just bought a G5422TG and will be following this guide to get it set up!
Thanks Jay, enjoy the new Gretsch!
Great video. Explained why things work how they do.
Thanks Deut, I really appreciate the comment.
Appreciate the video, just what I needed. I purchased a G5427tg last year and its only now since following your steps that I have the guitar sounding amazing.
Thanks AJ, really glad the video was helpful. Enjoy your 5427!
Good video and very helpful. Thank you.
Thanks for the feedback Tobias!
This was great! I'm new to electric guitars, and really just getting back into playing. I just bought my dream guitar, the same you are working on, and I'm so excited to play it! Your wonderful video will ensure i can set it up and keep it working perfect. Thank you!
Hey thanks Brad, I'm really happy the video was helpful. Enjoy your new guitar!
Thanks !! I've been removing all the strings an cleaning the guitar before installing new strings. On a Gretsch G7594T & G6120 with Bigsbys , and using a Capo to hold the strings in place after connecting the top of the string to the tuners and before trying to connect the bottoms: it still takes over an hour. One string at a time should save a lot oof time & energy. Changing strings is still a pain after 20+ years of playing. Of course having the proper tools available is a must: Whenever, a string breaks, it seems those tools are never available. I subscribed.
Thanks Leonard. Yup, always good to have the right tools around!
Thanks for the technical lesson. I'll be using your instructions on my recently acquired Gretsch Streamliner. (Yeah it's the budget model but it sounds good enough for me). Of course a White Falcon would be nice, but hey, I'm not Uncle Neil. I'll let you know how it goes. Keep on hitting the cool notes.
Thanks Martin!
Thanks for the great information, I feel like I actually understand how to do this now!
Thanks Andrew, happy the video was helpful!
excellent video, thank you!
Thanks for the comment lynguist!
This is a Great Explanation and walk through for the Set-Up Process Thanks A -MILLION Hogan
Thanks for comment Foto Guy and thanks for checking the video out!
Thanks from Huntsville!
Thank you Timpraetor, and thanks for watching!
Thanks for this one!!!
Thanks ever so much for your videos, especially this particular one, for reasons I'll address further in this reply. After viewing all the accolades that others have posted in their replies, I simply cannot find anything original to add that hasn't already been said. Kudos to you!!!
As to the aforementioned reasons I have referred to, let me provide you with some background information:
Longer ago than I care to admit (nor can I remember exactly when) I purchased my first electric guitar, a Dean Stylist hollow body that I bought not for its electrified qualities (the stock pickups had absolutely no redeeming qualities other than they were the same color gold as the rest of the hardware), but because 1; it had nearly the same neck profile as my beloved Alverez AJ-60S acoustic guitar, and 2; it really sounded fairly decent unplugged. I saw the potential this insturment had as an acoustic/electric when paired up with the right P/U combination, mine being a Fishman sound hole mounted dual unit for the
Then, as often happens, Life intervened (you know, marriage, 1st child, career & location changes, 2nd child, more career and location changes, separation followed by divorce, health complications, etc.).
Finally, at 67, and with Gretch having resumed production of its Blackface Filtrer'Tron P/U's have the opportunity
Thanks for the kind post flybybaby!
Wow, thank you! I really CAN do this. It's a darn sight easier than a cello.
Ty I'm new to Gretsch. Very informative video.
Hey thanks for watching and for commenting!
When re-stringing, I do the same and pre-bend the ball end. I use a capo to hold the string to the fretboard to stop it from falling off the Bigsby. I find that medium weight flatwounds are best for my 5420, with a wound third, that makes the guitar intonate well even with the Gretsch solid bar “rocker” bridge.
Thanks for the comment. You are absolutely correct that a wound G is the key to good intonation on that style bridge. I have a Les Paul Special with a wrap around bridge and an unwound G is always sharp.
Well done, thanks.
Thanks Brad!
Very comprehensive and helpful. Considering it too complicated and without proper tools, I always took my guitars to a luthier. But with 25 guitars, I figured it was about time to learn to do these basic setups myself. Just got a new Gretsch 2655T P-90 and it had some buzzing on the high E first fret. Messed with a couple things, didn’t help so I used your method and now it’s all perfecto. I did order a replacement Graph Tech Resomax NV2, so I guess I’ll have to go through this again.
Hey thanks for the feedback macfawlty!
Great video. You’ve a real friendly and easygoing demeanour, which helps if you’ve screwed things up so badly with your setup that you don’t know WHERE you’ve gone wrong 😆. Also, your instructions were nice and concise, your demonstrations clear and easily i it able. Best setup video on UA-cam; it’s also nice to have one that’s specifically for Gretsches.
You’ve a beautiful guitar, btw. I have two: an Electromatic Jet 5230 w/ Filter’Trons and Bigsby, and a Streamliner (can’t remember the model), but it’s the first model that came out with two Fidelisonic P90s and one of the ‘V’ style stop tailpieces. Their tones complement each other very well. I ALSO play flatwound strings; I tried ‘em once, attempting to recreate George Harrison’s early ‘60s tone, and I was just instantly hooked. They’re pricey but they last forever if you take care of them!
Anyroad, thanks again for an excellent video.
Thanks for the very kind comment and I'm happy the video was helpful Rip!
I own the first blue burst gretsch built in 1991,its a 6120 bought in bakersfield ca,when we went in to buy one all they had was orange and a red tennessee rose,so we asked if they could paint it sunburst blue, the owner of front porch music and the owner called magszine ark. And they said it could be painted that color. I still have it.
Hey that's really cool Ronald, I'd love to see it! thanks for sharing.
thanks sir, very accurate
Thanks for checking the video out and for the comment Nicola.
This was an excellent walk thru! I watched it and then felt confident enough to change the strings for the first time on my Gretsch and then be able to set it up properly.
Hey thanks for the comment Later_Daze_. Im glad the video was helpful!
that pick trick in lieu of a capo is genius!
Thanks Andy!
Great video! Thanks! I have a Gretsch 5420T (in Fairlane Blue) that I love. This is the best explanation of these tasks I've ever seen. I want to check the setup as you've explained it on my guitar. I play Chet Atkins style and I can't seem to get the punchy bass out of this guitar that I can get out of others like my vintage Hagstrom Viking 1N. Drives me nuts. I suspect it might be the pickup height. Any thoughts on that?
Thanks for the comment Daniel. Pickup height can change the tone of the strings for sure so it might be worth experimenting with that. Try moving the bass side of the pickups a little closer to the strings. Also heavier strings can help because it lets you play a little more aggressively with your thumb to get the strings to really speak, and I read that that Chet liked fairly high action on his guitars. Good luck.
Sir im going to need for you to setup my grestch haha
Hey does anyone know the allen wrench size for this guitar?
Hi , What size allen key do you use for the neck relief Gretsch G54-20T ? Thank you Denny.
Hi Dennis, try a 4mm. Make sure it's a good snug fit and you should be good to go.
@@hoganshideout Thank You,
Hi, very beautiful and interesting video, please I have two questions: also the height of the 6th string at the 12 fret is 4/64? I have an Electromatic G5126 with the DeArmond Dynasonic, what is the best height from the top of adjustable poles and the bottom of the strings(pressed at the last fret) for neck and bridge pick up? Thanks and best regards
Piero
Hi Piero, thanks for the comment. According to the Gretsch setup manual, Dynasonics should be adjusted to 3/32s bass side of each pickup and 2/32s treble side. Also all six strings are adjusted to 4/64s action at the 12th fret. Manual: www.fmicassets.com/Damroot/Original/10003/Gretsch%20Setup%20Specs%20pdf.pdf
@@hoganshideout Hi.
All clear, OK. , I 'll do like you tell me, thank you so much for the answer.
Best regards
Piero
Do you have a leak to find that feeler gauge per chance?
Thanks for sharing this video. I have that identical 5427. Have you had any issues with the strap pins? The one by the neck fell out. I bought some locking pins, but it’s still too loose. I have a great guitar tech who can fix it. I’m a little nervous about doing it myself.
Thanks Gene. I haven't had any issues with the strap pins/buttons, but I'm not playing much standing with a strap. As far as repairing the strap pin/button, did the stud come out of the wood, or is the barrel just loose on the stud?
The stud came out (while I was sitting).
@@gzackerman Generally there are two ways to fix that; you can either use glue and toothpicks, or drill the area out, glue in a dowel, and redrill. The toothpick/glue repair (I like Titebond original) seems to work well for most people. I did a short video showing how to do the toothpick repair a while back, but if you are not comfortable, definitely take it to someone for the repair. Good luck.
Someone gave me a Gretsch Tennessee Rose to take a look at. It appears the bridge(looks the same as yours, a wooden base below the bridge) is not glued/attached in place. Is this normal? My 1st time looking at a Bigbsby, I do not see any kind of glue mark/ring on the finish. Just curious if I need to have him take this in to a shop or not. Great video, thanks! New Sub
Hi Barrett I don't think the bridge should be glued, but some of them are pinned. Take a look at this thread for a few pics. Btw, some of them are just free floating and only held on by the strings. Thanks for checking the video out. www.gretsch-talk.com/threads/prolines-with-factory-pinned-bridges.164038/
I want to ask, what's the difference between bigsby with screws and without screws?
I was probably not very clear in the video. There is a string through version of the Bigsby that is available on some Gretsch guitars. Like this: www.gretsch-talk.com/attachments/20200313_124057-jpg.160373/ Compared to the standard post design on most Bigsbys. Like this: guitar.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/DIY-handbook-restring-bigsby-string-ballend@1400x1050.jpg Thanks for checking the video out!
watched this video several times and only now did i realize that i needed to say ROLL TIDE
Lol, Roll Tide Andrew!
I just bought a Gretsch G5422TG and really wanted to learn to set it up myself, so thank you for such a clear explanation! Can I ask two questions ...
1) According to the Gretsch document you link to, "Filtertron and Dynasonic pickups are mounted directly to the guitar’s top, and are not adjustable.”. So should I just leave them alone? The clearance on the neck pickup is over 12/64” but it sounds great!
2) As a beginner I’ve been told that lighter gauge strings will be easier to learn on. Right now it has 10s, I was thinking of changing it to 8s because I know BB King and Brian May (two of my heroes) both use 8s. Is there any reason they’d be a bad idea for my guitar?
Thanks :)
Hi Lindsay. You should have the Blacktop Filtertrons in your 5422TG and they should be adjustable for height. If they sound good there is no reason the change them though. Pickup height is really a matter of personal preference and factory specifications are just a good starting point.
I think 10 gauge strings are pretty light, but I know a lot of guys like even lighter sets, like BB, May, Billy Gibbons, Albert Lee, etc. Like pickup height, string gauge is really personal preference. I have never setup or played 8 gauge strings on a 54xx before, and I'm not sure how it might affect tuning stability with a Bigsby, but you could give it a try. I think 10s are perfectly fine for learning on, though.
@@hoganshideout Thank you!
Any time.
@@hoganshideout Just following up - I went ahead and put a set of D'Addario NYXL 8-38's on. It needed quite a bit of truss rod adjustment to get the gap to 0.008" (I could only buy metric feeler gauges here, so that's 0.2mm) - I actually got a bit nervous wondering if I was doing it wrong but it did eventually get there. I guess it makes sense when it had 10's on before. After that it was plain sailing getting the action and intonation adjusted. The strings seem to stay fairly well in tune with the Bigsby for their first day. Thankyou again for this fantastic video, you saved me a $A160 luthier fee which I can put towards lessons, plus when the seasons change I'll know how to adjust it myself :)
@@VeryNaughtyBoy42 Hey that's awesome, Lindsay, thanks for posting! It's great to be able to do your own setups and basic guitar maintenance.
I was searching for the size of the allen key I need to adjust string height. I watched you go through the string height but you did not make any adjustment. I have a bag full of allen keys but none fit. Anyone know how big a key it is?
Hi Dave. Use the thumb wheels to adjust the action for the bridge. Just spin the wheels, don't try to adjust with an allen key.
@@hoganshideout Thanks for the suggestion but the wheels move up and down the pin that goes into the body but the bridge does not move. That is the issue I think,
@@daveallen9921 Something must not be working correctly. When you turn the adjustment wheel it should move the bridge up and down. The post itself should not turn.
What about nut adjustment clearance at 1st fret on a 5622t?
Hi Gene. Nut adjustment is a bit more advanced and requires a few special files. I'll try to do a video on that at some point. Fortunately the Gretschs I've played recently (Fenders too) have had very well cut nuts.
what the keyword to buy that pickup height ruler? thx
This is the Dunlop ruler I'm using: www.amazon.com/Dunlop-Action-System-Guitar-DGT04/dp/B07QMMH5WZ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=216UNICIJUOJB&keywords=Jim+dunlop+string+action&qid=1653577790&sprefix=jim+dunlop+string+action%2Caps%2C159&sr=8-1
My 2nd favorite part of this video is when you said "I can't find my capo." I can never find my capo!!
LOL!
all gretsch have tune problem with G string! I haved white falcon usa, 6120 EC, 5120, 5420 and all this guitars same problem. exept my two ibanez GB 100 and GB200
Is that bridge fixed? That's one of the new Electromatics isn't it?
The bridge is pinned. It is a Guitar Center special run call a 5427 but it is identical (except color and fretboard inlays) to the new 5420s.
If I do 4/64 which is around 1.58mm on my string gauge i still have alot of buzzing...but the neck relief is set...
@@rogerfranklin83 Hi Roger. You might try raising the action a little -- maybe 5/64 on the low e. Also, are you using 11 gauge strings? You could have a few frets that are high. Remember, any guitar will buzz if it's played aggressively enough.
@@hoganshideout not 11s just a set of ernie ball regular slinky 10-46. Neck seems good. It was fine....."before".....before I decided to take the bigsby off and put on thr tradition G style tailpiece. I have a Gretsch Electromatic 140th Double Platinum edition G5420T, yeah I just didn't need another Gretsch with a bigsby. So I took of and made sure everything was perfectly lined up which it was but yeah no it seems to buzz....checked the neck. That's good. I have noticed the intonation is a little out.
Roll Tide!
Roll Tide Glenn!
Thanks but I think I'll leave this to a professional.
No worries, not every one wants to do this themselves. Thanks for checking the video out.
Why 4/64 and not 1/16. ?.....1/16 is much easier to see on an engineers steel rule
I have s small youtube channel under Ronald Lemons
I paid just under a grand and I have to do all this? Not happy.