I have died and gone to heaven watching this gentleman make a saddle fron an antler! This is probably one of the finest acoustic guitar set up videos I have seen. Thank you for making this video!!
*Every* video I've seen labeled "How to make a nut/saddle" actually shows only how to cut slots in a pre-shaped piece. This is the first to really show the process from beginning to end. Thank you!
The reason you have so many followers and business is because of your desire to do things right. Once you compromise that integrity you become just somebody else. Speaking for your followers don't change.
I used your method with black marker and calipers for getting the correct height of the saddle the other day. It worked out perfectly. Just wanted to say thank you for sharing these tips with us amateurs. My guitar plays like a dream now. 🙂
Hi Jerry, I am new to your channel. I have subscribed as I think wish to follow you and learn how to do acoustic guitar repair and restoration. Keep going and God bless you. Sincerely, Peter Wong Esq.
Your dial indicator measurement device is the most accurate, foolproof way to measure the string height at the nut. Nice to see someone being precise. Every machinist has at least 1.
I loved watching this Jerry, thanks for taking all the effort to record it. You have a great personality for teaching, and I look forward to learning more!
Loved this video. I Learned so much. I didn’t know how a guitar intonation was set. Very interesting. I had a local luthier in my town repair my 1958 Gibson J 45. Was in its case for 35 years. Broken bridge, broken tuner peg, 3 broken top braces, 2 large cracks in the top, 2 loose braces on the back. All from my high school best friend passing out and hitting his head on the bridge. Of coarse me letting my guitar lay on the Desert floor next to a campfire wasn’t the smartest thing I’ve ever done. Young and dumb. My step father sold me the Gibson for 100$. I replaced her in 1994 with a Taylor 812 C. Spending the money to get her repaired was definitely worthwhile. I always told my wife when the house is paid off I was getting it restored. Words can not explain the emotional ride I took when I played it again after all those years. Wow the tone is so good. Wrote my first song on her and boy am I glad I never tossed her in a dumpster. The luthier said he was too. Your talent and those like you are greatly appreciated thanks for the videos.
I think my favorite part of these videos is at the end when I'm introduced to these great older songs that I would have never heard otherwise. That was Marty Robbins "Count Me Out" for the rest of us noobs. I wish you posted more videos of performances--even if it was just you and your buddies on the front porch!
As a wood worker hobbyist approaching retirement, I collected a huge amount of Sapele and Mahogany scraps from a mill work company near work. A couple of those "scraps" are 3" thick by a foot wide and over 2 feet long. Some real beautiful wood. Learning enough from your videos to give making my own guitar a try. You are the craftsman's craftsman. Thank you for explaining why you do what you do. Your videos are a great source of knowledge.
God bless you Jerry Rosa, and thanks so much for the detailed setup demonstration! Particularly for showing how you made that antler saddle, that was a real treat. For the D-28 and its owner too, I can imagine.
Things I've learned from Jerry [ non-technical stuff ]: After all is said and done, it's still essentially WOOD. There is a way---look hard, consider, and you will find it. Don't give up--anything can be fixed, regardless of whether it should be fixed or not. No matter how many clamps you have, you don't have enough. Titebond is NOT permanent, if you don't want it to be. Don't grieve over your mistakes---correct them, learn something, and move on. Learn how to make your own tools and useful gizmos--it's fun, and very useful. Don't try to be a copy of Jerry--the mold was broken when he was made. Be your unique self. Finally, when you say prayers for folks, throw one in for Jerry Rosa. He deserves it.
Thank you for making these videos Jerry. Great to watch an in-depth setup from start to finish of an acoustic. Unintentional funny, after adjusting the bridge saddle for the B string, “that should B good”, oh well, it made me chuckle. Looking forward to seeing your next video. 👍🏻
I've enjoyed every one of your videos that I've been able to watch. I wish I had learned some of your skills when I was young but I had other things to tend to back then. Now I just enjoy watching others work and maybe in another life I'll take up another skill. Thank you for the education and entertainment.
I completely agree, Sir. I'm a beginner at this as well & I just stumbled onto these incredible videos. IMMEDIATELY SUBSCRIBED! Thank you for sharing these with us, Jerry. Love & Light To You All out there in UA-cam Land and Beyond! 🍀 💜 🎶
Absolutely LOVED the song you did. Count me out is going into my song book. Transcribing it now. Need to learn that little walk up you did there. As always EXCELLENT WORK! You're the best. Big Thumbs up!
Love watching you working on these old flat tops and different chores around the farm. You remind me of my mandolin pickin Father Clifford Lovette that I use to play music with so many years ago. He was a master craftsman just like you. I miss him.
Having adjusted the action on all my acoustics and other peoples i'm glad to see i got it right, Thanks Jerry for a really good video A masterclass on setting up guitar action well worth everyone watching this.
Hey Jerry just wanted to say thanks for making these videos, they’re such a great resource! I’ve been taking on my first neck reset and various other repairs on a friends guitar, I’ve built guitars before but repairing is a whole different art, I had a pretty good idea about how to go about it but so great to reference a bunch of your repairs and see how someone with your experience tackles them!
Jerry your videos are the best on the web! I fixed my neighbors 12 string acoustic using your videos! He is very happy! I will now work on my Guild! Thanks!
That was a fun video to watch Jerry and the amount of information that I learned about making a nut out of an antler was incredible. I may have to give that a try in the near future.
Did I just watch a genius at work ? I believe I did 👍🏻. Has to be the best video I’ve seen on setting up an acoustic guitar. Love the picking, been practicing for four years although it feels like forty !! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 from the U.K.
"It ain't easy being me" is a very good Chris Knight song. Just thought of it when I saw your T-shirt. And now I'm gonna lower the action on my guitar by making use of the knowlegde you so generously share. Thank you VERY much.
I do this kind of work for people and it's just so rewarding when you make someone happy with their guitar! It's a little work and effort for us but, to them, it's like magic! I love it! Great video here!
hey buddy thank you for the mention! always appreciated! I feel the frets on acoustic don't need to be such a mirror image as the players usually don't play up the neck or bend strings like electric players do. great work on this as always! cheers!
The analogy I think of is blindfolding yourself around 20 metres from the edge of a cliff and walk toward the cliff edge and know when to stop before stepping over
What a beauty guitar, thank you so much for your time to show us some fine tuning, I now have wrapped my brain around 'intonation', as a newbie to guitars it was a bit of a struggle, but now I feel confident enough to muck with my old cheapie should it need it, without much trepidation, I've carved abalone for years so am comfortable with fine filing, this was a super lesson you gave. I really love your general demeanor in explaining things, thanks again! Cheers from the PNW Canada!
Nice job!!!!!!! Achieving low action can be very challenging without knowing the owner's playing habits. Light strings with an owner that plays aggressively is an almost impossible feat. The owner doesn't play hard, but if he did, he should expect some buzzing. I prefer very low action & I use medium strings. The medium strings give me enough volume & the low action gives me much more control with the left hand. Since learning this, I have learned to play lighter & worry about getting good tone over more volume. After all, good tone is one of the things that attracts us to listen to our favorite musicians. A good player will learn to adapt their playing habits to get tone & volume on low action. Great video & keep up the good work!!!!!!!
Great advice, and I really like the presentation style. Always been a huge fan of watching people who are great at what they do; even more so when they're generous with their knowledge. The beauty part is, even when you are that kind to share, for the uninitiated it quickly becomes apparent the thousands of hours of skill it takes to make a process look "easy" Thank you for sharing.
Excellent job on that beautiful Martin! It was rather entertaining to watch you work! I always wondered how an acoustic setup was actually performed. If I lived nearby, you would be doing ALL my axes!
I have been working on my own D-35 (Copy) for 40 years and I have never seen anything like this before. You are an amazing technician. If only we could have had You Tube back then. I use 10-47 extra light strings too for fingerstyle guitar. I like the way you do things, nice and slow. Thanks again for this great lesson. Btw, I never knew how to check my intonation. I used your method with my Korg and I am sharp by about 8 cents, yup the B string. I would rather be sharp than flat :)
There's something so great about watching a true craftsman work. You took no shortcuts, diagnosed and fixed small issues with precision, and a little humor to boot. Great video and channel. Subscribed!
Great video. I have an old Martin that I only use light silk and steels on. The action could be a little lower up high I suppose, but I'm used to it so I just it be.
@@daveanderson5680 What about my Ibanez Hummingbird model? Sounds pretty darn good to me,👌 Actually for clarification it's the Cherry Sunburst Jamboree 680 model Nagoya Japan with the Hummingbird Gibson pick guard, which umm, presently has fallen off. It's a bit over 50 years old, 52 to be exact, plays and sounds great. Interesting too the bridge saddle is metal with simply a height adjustment screw at each end. The saddle is dead straight, sits 90 degrees to the strings, no fancy compensation for the low strings compared to the high strings, yet the intonation seems fine. Hmm, gonna have to glue that pick guard back on,🤔
@@joefairweatherblues8511 - I have 2 Ibanez acoustic guitars, and love them both. They don’t sound quite as good as my Martin in my opinion, but there’re still great guitars. I have 2 Ibanez electric guitars also, and love them to!!!
@@melvinlewiswellsjr.2619 - Try an X Series. They’re made in Mexico, but have solid spruce tops. My $600 X series 12 string sounds better than a $4,000 Taylor in my opinion. This thing barks!!!
Good video, and I know you understand the fact that Martin D-28 Guitars are made for tension. They have a lot of volume with light to medium strings. The construction of theses guitars also makes them resistant to change from humidity and temperature (in my opinion). I have a Martin D28 and sometimes i think about lowering the action, but the I think the best thing to do is to just play and practice. Build up the strength in your fingers and enjoy the wonderful loud tone of these guitars. There are other guitars that will have lower action and are plenty loud for playing around the house. I am not saying don't lower the action, but like you say it can be tricky.
I have a Godin with extra light 10-47 with 4.5 thou at the 12th fret on the low E with a truss rodded straight neck. It plays so well with the D'darrio EJ-15! Nuff said!
I was glad to find a Martin video. I have 3 Martin's, 2-6 strings & a 12 string. I went to all ernie ball #9 super slinky strings & didn't lower the action. Mine are setup higher than what you got that one at but to me it's all good. Great video showing how to do your own setups. Thanks from mm land.....
In the electric guitar world we use adjustable bridges... makes it easy. Nuts are nuts regardless, so they are just as un-adjustable... and just as rough to get 'as low as possible' Sometimes we see a 'zero fret' and the nut behind it just spaces the strings, the fret setting the height. I have often wondered how it would be to use a fully adjustable bridge on an acoustic.. just imagine, perfect intonation on every string. Beautiful work as usual Jerry, again a very educational, skill building, video.
BONE just like in your knee bone on bone gives the best sound. No, wait, that's a different subject. A bone nut and saddle on an acoustic brings out the MAX sound and tone on a wooden box, metal would never do. Look at the adjustable bridges they put on acoustic archtops even with just the screws being metal volume and tone are affected.
@BreatheScotland My guitar came with Tusq saddle and nut, which is way better than plastic to be sure but bone just made it even louder and more rich. And pins, bone pins help a lot as well.
Hey Jerry! The best part of my Day! Finding a new Rosa video. Great work as usual! I had the opposite the guy wanted higher and higher, and I kept telling him you'll pull out of tune! Ah, what can you do! It's not easy being me! But, cheer up! I to am on the BAND-AID brigade this week! Did you get your CNC bits? They work really nice! for me hopefully, you'll have great success as well. Have a good day my friend.
You are the best. I have a Gibson J100 I would love for you to look at it plays but it needs your touch. A little buzz up high on the neck. But your story at the end of this video really touched my heart. Love you, Dude and the work that you do.
Boy am I impressed! I came for a video on how to tune up a car and saw how an engine is built :) Great job! If you customer isn't impressed with his new saddle, send him a link to this video.
I thought my 11-52 gauge sold as "custom light" was pretty slinky for an acoustic but the strings on this Martin, if they were any lighter would be non-existent. I would not have strings that light on a Telecaster! Mind you, if that is what the owner wants, then Jerry had done him proud.
The first time I did this was on an old Yamaha I bought at a Pawn Shop. I worked with an emory board and gradually brought it down to perfection. I've got a half dozen guitars, that's my Son's favorite.
Really a great lesson, especially that stuff about the light strings. My experience with alternate tunings and drop tunings is that the string tension is what governs the amount of over-travel of the strings. I actually have a different saddle for playing DADGAD tuning on my 12 string to stop the buzz.
Nice work as usual jerry! When I set up my personal guitars I set up with a scrap of solid corian countertop material for a saddle,shave it down as low as it can go the I measure it with the micrometer and make my bone or walrus ivory saddle. My busted up hands likes stupid low action on acoustics. My electrics aren’t as big of a deal because the lower string tension. But on my small body 12 frets I go as low as I can.
I posted a question about this very problem only a couple weeks ago, and kindly got a reply so thank you. I now have a much better understanding of how to bring my string action down...and i also now know that it doesn't involve messin with the truss rod...Nice song by the way...Respect and peace to ya.
First let me say I enjoy your site and you are doing a great job. Let me throw in my 2 cents if I can. As a luthier and repairman I have set up a few thousand guitars in a 20 year period. After having set up dozens of Strats, Tele's, Les Pauls, etc...Taylors, Martins, Guilds, etc,...after a while and from experience you already know where you are headed with the set up and if there may be any limitations. In general but not always the better made the instrument the better the set up can be and easier to do. Assuming the set up on the guitar is not that far off I play all the strings on the 10,11, 12 frets, maybe more. I try and make them buzz. If I can hit hard and they don't buzz I know I have room to lower the saddle, How much?...That comes with experience. Assuming the neck relief is close, I will play the 5 and 6th strings on the 2, 3, 4th frets. If there is buzzing esp. the 6th string, 3rd fret, the G-chord...the neck is too flat. After that I'll go back and forth between the truss rod and saddle and slightly " tweak" everything These are generally the first two steps I do to get things close. Of course every instrument is different and each will have different variables...are the frets level? Is there a rise at the end of the fret board? Is there a lot of tension in the neck/instrument, or is it relaxed? The playing style of the musician? Does he play smoothly or slam the strings? Does he bend a lot. I could write a book, I'll stop....Carry on...Good job.....
8492 You are very correct, once that "line" is crossed it's hell getting back, we have all been there and that was my thoughts exactly, thank for posting.
I have died and gone to heaven watching this gentleman make a saddle fron an antler! This is probably one of the finest acoustic guitar set up videos I have seen. Thank you for making this video!!
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I'm a 39 year old metalhead who strictly plays drop tuned electric guitars and this is one of my favorite UA-cam channels.
*Every* video I've seen labeled "How to make a nut/saddle" actually shows only how to cut slots in a pre-shaped piece. This is the first to really show the process from beginning to end. Thank you!
The reason you have so many followers and business is because of your desire to do things right. Once you compromise that integrity you become just somebody else. Speaking for your followers don't change.
You're a modern day Bob Ross!!
Everything is good when there's a Rosa String Works video on.
I used your method with black marker and calipers for getting the correct height of the saddle the other day. It worked out perfectly. Just wanted to say thank you for sharing these tips with us amateurs. My guitar plays like a dream now. 🙂
Hi Jerry, I am new to your channel. I have subscribed as I think wish to follow you and learn how to do acoustic guitar repair and restoration. Keep going and God bless you. Sincerely, Peter Wong Esq.
Your dial indicator measurement device is the most accurate, foolproof way to measure the string height at the nut. Nice to see someone being precise. Every machinist has at least 1.
Got 👆👆 something special for you 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉..
I loved watching this Jerry, thanks for taking all the effort to record it. You have a great personality for teaching, and I look forward to learning more!
I thoroughly enjoyed watching this setup. Thanks for explaining everything, putting it all together, and posting.
Loved this video. I Learned so much. I didn’t know how a guitar intonation was set. Very interesting. I had a local luthier in my town repair my 1958 Gibson J 45. Was in its case for 35 years. Broken bridge, broken tuner peg, 3 broken top braces, 2 large cracks in the top, 2 loose braces on the back. All from my high school best friend passing out and hitting his head on the bridge. Of coarse me letting my guitar lay on the Desert floor next to a campfire wasn’t the smartest thing I’ve ever done. Young and dumb. My step father sold me the Gibson for 100$. I replaced her in 1994 with a Taylor 812 C. Spending the money to get her repaired was definitely worthwhile. I always told my wife when the house is paid off I was getting it restored. Words can not explain the emotional ride I took when I played it again after all those years. Wow the tone is so good. Wrote my first song on her and boy am I glad I never tossed her in a dumpster. The luthier said he was too. Your talent and those like you are greatly appreciated thanks for the videos.
Jerry, thanks for going through such detail. Great results. I look forward to doing that on my guitar.
Nice set up. I never get tired of watching your videos.
I think my favorite part of these videos is at the end when I'm introduced to these great older songs that I would have never heard otherwise. That was Marty Robbins "Count Me Out" for the rest of us noobs. I wish you posted more videos of performances--even if it was just you and your buddies on the front porch!
As a wood worker hobbyist approaching retirement, I collected a huge amount of Sapele and Mahogany scraps from a mill work company near work. A couple of those "scraps" are 3" thick by a foot wide and over 2 feet long. Some real beautiful wood. Learning enough from your videos to give making my own guitar a try. You are the craftsman's craftsman. Thank you for explaining why you do what you do. Your videos are a great source of knowledge.
.
Love your videos Jerry, very educational.
Thanks and keep them coming!
As usual you have done it again and the customer is very happy with it. Thanks for sharing.
I love it when Mr. Jerry sings! And I learn so much watching him at work.
God bless you Jerry Rosa, and thanks so much for the detailed setup demonstration!
Particularly for showing how you made that antler saddle, that was a real treat. For the D-28 and its owner too, I can imagine.
This one answered so many of my questions, I just had to watch it twice! THANKS AS ALWAYS!
from start to finish, no skipping, very entertaining video!! keep up the good work sir..
Jerry, a particularly nice ending with the customer’s reaction and comments. Nice job!
Pł
Another happy customer! Nice work Jerry, that guitar sounds great!
I could listen to you all day, with a beer of course. Very educational and a great help. Thank you from Rugby England.
Things I've learned from Jerry [ non-technical stuff ]:
After all is said and done, it's still essentially WOOD.
There is a way---look hard, consider, and you will find it.
Don't give up--anything can be fixed, regardless of whether it should be fixed or not.
No matter how many clamps you have, you don't have enough.
Titebond is NOT permanent, if you don't want it to be.
Don't grieve over your mistakes---correct them, learn something, and move on.
Learn how to make your own tools and useful gizmos--it's fun, and very useful.
Don't try to be a copy of Jerry--the mold was broken when he was made. Be your unique self.
Finally, when you say prayers for folks, throw one in for Jerry Rosa. He deserves it.
Thank you very kindly my friend.
@@RosaStringWorks So much negative stuff on UA-cam...good to be instructed, inspired, and relaxed, all at once!
Thank you for making these videos Jerry. Great to watch an in-depth setup from start to finish of an acoustic.
Unintentional funny, after adjusting the bridge saddle for the B string, “that should B good”, oh well, it made me chuckle.
Looking forward to seeing your next video. 👍🏻
I've enjoyed every one of your videos that I've been able to watch. I wish I had learned some of your skills when I was young but I had other things to tend to back then. Now I just enjoy watching others work and maybe in another life I'll take up another skill. Thank you for the education and entertainment.
Remarkable Job, You really put a lot of time to making perfection. Thanks for sharing with us. Now we see that it's no easy job.
Enjoyed that very much. Thanks for the share.
Always enjoy watching your work and playin!
Another great video, Jerry. As a rookie of guitar repair I sure appreciate all the in-depth information.
I completely agree, Sir. I'm a beginner at this as well & I just stumbled onto these incredible videos. IMMEDIATELY SUBSCRIBED! Thank you for sharing these with us, Jerry. Love & Light To You All out there in UA-cam Land and Beyond! 🍀 💜 🎶
Absolutely LOVED the song you did. Count me out is going into my song book. Transcribing it now. Need to learn that little walk up you did there. As always EXCELLENT WORK! You're the best. Big Thumbs up!
Love watching you working on these old flat tops and different chores around the farm. You remind me of my mandolin pickin Father Clifford Lovette that I use to play music with so many years ago. He was a master craftsman just like you. I miss him.
Having adjusted the action on all my acoustics and other peoples i'm glad to see i got it right, Thanks Jerry for a really good video A masterclass on setting up guitar action well worth everyone watching this.
I love to watch you work Jerry! and I have learned so much from watching your videos, essential viewing!!! Cheers from Scotland.
Hey Jerry just wanted to say thanks for making these videos, they’re such a great resource! I’ve been taking on my first neck reset and various other repairs on a friends guitar, I’ve built guitars before but repairing is a whole different art, I had a pretty good idea about how to go about it but so great to reference a bunch of your repairs and see how someone with your experience tackles them!
Mr Rosa..You do Great,Skilled Artistry...Thank You....
steadfast principles are joy to uphold, bless you and your wisdom. love to watch you at work, and hear the ear candy along the way
Just a true professional. A pleasure to listen to and watch.
The bare fingers is a bit to be desired
Great job Jerry you’re an excellent craftsman!
An absolute pleasure to watch you work. I really envy your skill and experience, thanks for posting.
Ibrahim uhh
@@lmounger
You've lost me there friend.
Again Jerry another great video. I really appreciate you showing the detail in saddle making, as well the rest of the work. Thank you
I agree
Jerry your videos are the best on the web! I fixed my neighbors 12 string acoustic using your videos! He is very happy! I will now work on my Guild! Thanks!
That was a fun video to watch Jerry and the amount of information that I learned about making a nut out of an antler was incredible. I may have to give that a try in the near future.
Did I just watch a genius at work ? I believe I did 👍🏻. Has to be the best video I’ve seen on setting up an acoustic guitar. Love the picking, been practicing for four years although it feels like forty !!
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 from the U.K.
That is a sweet sounding geetar. Beautiful. Another great setup Jerry!
I learn a lot from you on this episode and I thank you.
I like low action,but I`ve never seen one set as low as that...ever.Thanks for sharing
You should make a tshirt that just says "well I forgot to turn the camera on."
Love your videos!!
Always nice to see a master at work.
Hi Jerry. Another great job. My t-shirts arrived today, look great and feel really nice on. Thanks.
"It ain't easy being me" is a very good Chris Knight song.
Just thought of it when I saw your T-shirt.
And now I'm gonna lower the action on my guitar by making use of the knowlegde you so generously share.
Thank you VERY much.
Beautiful job. I pray for your fingers.
I do this kind of work for people and it's just so rewarding when you make someone happy with their guitar! It's a little work and effort for us but, to them, it's like magic! I love it! Great video here!
I enjoy watching your skilled workmanship. I also enjoyed your customer's test drive, he can pick.
Thank you. This 72 year old fat bald headed guy appreciates any positive comments.
hey buddy thank you for the mention! always appreciated! I feel the frets on acoustic don't need to be such a mirror image as the players usually don't play up the neck or bend strings like electric players do. great work on this as always! cheers!
I think it makes a world of difference in quality of sound. But yes, especially when you're bending a lot.
Hi Randy!
The analogy I think of is blindfolding yourself around 20 metres from the edge of a cliff and walk toward the cliff edge and know when to stop before stepping over
can sit and watch this guy for hours, great content.
Got 👆👆 something special for you 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉..
Great introduction to your art. Thank you for your presentation.
What a beauty guitar, thank you so much for your time to show us some fine tuning, I now have wrapped my brain around 'intonation', as a newbie to guitars it was a bit of a struggle, but now I feel confident enough to muck with my old cheapie should it need it, without much trepidation, I've carved abalone for years so am comfortable with fine filing, this was a super lesson you gave. I really love your general demeanor in explaining things, thanks again! Cheers from the PNW Canada!
Nice job!!!!!!! Achieving low action can be very challenging without knowing the owner's playing habits. Light strings with an owner that plays aggressively is an almost impossible feat. The owner doesn't play hard, but if he did, he should expect some buzzing. I prefer very low action & I use medium strings. The medium strings give me enough volume & the low action gives me much more control with the left hand. Since learning this, I have learned to play lighter & worry about getting good tone over more volume. After all, good tone is one of the things that attracts us to listen to our favorite musicians. A good player will learn to adapt their playing habits to get tone & volume on low action. Great video & keep up the good work!!!!!!!
Well said. I couldn't agree more!!!
@@jonathancollins9057 Thank you kindly, friend & obvious brother in string!!!!!!!
Love your songs as you work. 🕊🥀🙏🎚
Just found you and loved sharing this time with you. Absolutely fab!
Got 👆👆 something special for you 🎉🎉🎉
16:07 I love this notion. My old boss said the exact same thing to me in almost the exact same wording. Play on, Jerry!
Great advice, and I really like the presentation style. Always been a huge fan of watching people who are great at what they do; even more so when they're generous with their knowledge.
The beauty part is, even when you are that kind to share, for the uninitiated it quickly becomes apparent the thousands of hours of skill it takes to make a process look "easy"
Thank you for sharing.
Thank you very much
What a interesting video, thanks for sharing your craftsmanship with all of us. I just love to watch a craftsman in action. 👍
Got 👆👆 something special for you 🎉🎉🎉.
Love your work Jerry ! Thanks for all the great videos all the best from Australia .......Mike.
Excellent job on that beautiful Martin! It was rather entertaining to watch you work! I always wondered how an acoustic setup was actually performed. If I lived nearby, you would be doing ALL my axes!
That was the best video I’ve ever watched & all the way thru. My Martin need the same TLC.
Thank you for sharing your work video, was so interesting and I was moved. I am happy to also share it in my social media pages.
Another successful operation doc!
I have been working on my own D-35 (Copy) for 40 years and I have never seen anything like this before. You are an amazing technician. If only we could have had You Tube back then. I use 10-47 extra light strings too for fingerstyle guitar. I like the way you do things, nice and slow. Thanks again for this great lesson. Btw, I never knew how to check my intonation. I used your method with my Korg and I am sharp by about 8 cents, yup the B string. I would rather be sharp than flat :)
Got 👆👆 something special for you 🎉🎉🎉
There's something so great about watching a true craftsman work. You took no shortcuts, diagnosed and fixed small issues with precision, and a little humor to boot. Great video and channel. Subscribed!
Thanks for another video so quickly after the last! Wish I had me some of those bone antler saddles! Great song as well
Jerry, I really appreciate the way you think. You've been my teacher now for a while.
Great video. I have an old Martin that I only use light silk and steels on. The action could be a little lower up high I suppose, but I'm used to it so I just it be.
Wonderful job. Nothing sounds better than a Martin. That’s why the D-28 is considered THE bluegrass guitar!!!
except it’s the D-18 usually considered “the” bluegrass guitar
@@daveanderson5680 What about my Ibanez Hummingbird model? Sounds pretty darn good to me,👌 Actually for clarification it's the Cherry Sunburst Jamboree 680 model Nagoya Japan with the Hummingbird Gibson pick guard, which umm, presently has fallen off. It's a bit over 50 years old, 52 to be exact, plays and sounds great. Interesting too the bridge saddle is metal with simply a height adjustment screw at each end. The saddle is dead straight, sits 90 degrees to the strings, no fancy compensation for the low strings compared to the high strings, yet the intonation seems fine. Hmm, gonna have to glue that pick guard back on,🤔
Martin is great for those who can afford one
@@joefairweatherblues8511 - I have 2 Ibanez acoustic guitars, and love them both. They don’t sound quite as good as my Martin in my opinion, but there’re still great guitars. I have 2 Ibanez electric guitars also, and love them to!!!
@@melvinlewiswellsjr.2619 - Try an X Series. They’re made in Mexico, but have solid spruce tops. My $600 X series 12 string sounds better than a $4,000 Taylor in my opinion. This thing barks!!!
Love your channel. Learned a lot and a better appreciation of the instrument.
Wish we had someone that has your experience and love of string instruments
Good video, and I know you understand the fact that Martin D-28 Guitars are made for tension. They have a lot of volume with light to medium strings. The construction of theses guitars also makes them resistant to change from humidity and temperature (in my opinion). I have a Martin D28 and sometimes i think about lowering the action, but the I think the best thing to do is to just play and practice. Build up the strength in your fingers and enjoy the wonderful loud tone of these guitars. There are other guitars that will have lower action and are plenty loud for playing around the house. I am not saying don't lower the action, but like you say it can be tricky.
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I have a Godin with extra light 10-47 with 4.5 thou at the 12th fret on the low E with a truss rodded straight neck. It plays so well with the D'darrio EJ-15! Nuff said!
I was glad to find a Martin video. I have 3 Martin's, 2-6 strings & a 12 string. I went to all ernie ball #9 super slinky strings & didn't lower the action. Mine are setup higher than what you got that one at but to me it's all good. Great video showing how to do your own setups. Thanks from mm land.....
Jerry, I've been watching your site for a few years now. You seem to be a much happier camper lately.
In the electric guitar world we use adjustable bridges... makes it easy. Nuts are nuts regardless, so they are just as un-adjustable... and just as rough to get 'as low as possible' Sometimes we see a 'zero fret' and the nut behind it just spaces the strings, the fret setting the height. I have often wondered how it would be to use a fully adjustable bridge on an acoustic.. just imagine, perfect intonation on every string. Beautiful work as usual Jerry, again a very educational, skill building, video.
BONE just like in your knee bone on bone gives the best sound. No, wait, that's a different subject.
A bone nut and saddle on an acoustic brings out the MAX sound and tone on a wooden box, metal
would never do. Look at the adjustable bridges they put on acoustic archtops even with just the screws
being metal volume and tone are affected.
@BreatheScotland My guitar came with Tusq saddle and nut, which is way better than plastic to be sure
but bone just made it even louder and more rich.
And pins, bone pins help a lot as well.
Nice job. The only person who counts really likes it. That's what matters.
I like when your all done you give us a little song to end the video, love the channel!
Excellent video quality and content! Congratulations.
Hey Jerry! The best part of my Day! Finding a new Rosa video. Great work as usual! I had the opposite the guy wanted higher and higher, and I kept telling him you'll pull out of tune! Ah, what can you do! It's not easy being me! But, cheer up! I to am on the BAND-AID brigade this week! Did you get your CNC bits? They work really nice! for me hopefully, you'll have great success as well. Have a good day my friend.
You are the best. I have a Gibson J100 I would love for you to look at it plays but it needs your touch. A little buzz up high on the neck.
But your story at the end of this video really touched my heart. Love you, Dude and the work that you do.
Boy am I impressed! I came for a video on how to tune up a car and saw how an engine is built :) Great job! If you customer isn't impressed with his new saddle, send him a link to this video.
Nice description of the string heights and also the light string motion. Thanks
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I thought my 11-52 gauge sold as "custom light" was pretty slinky for an acoustic but the strings on this Martin, if they were any lighter would be non-existent. I would not have strings that light on a Telecaster! Mind you, if that is what the owner wants, then Jerry had done him proud.
Nice tip: use a capo at the 10th fret after loosening the strings. That way they stay where you want them while working, and no need to ball them up.
The first time I did this was on an old Yamaha I bought at a Pawn Shop.
I worked with an emory board and gradually brought it down to perfection.
I've got a half dozen guitars, that's my Son's favorite.
The way you made the bone saddle. Sick skill.
Really a great lesson, especially that stuff about the light strings.
My experience with alternate tunings and drop tunings is that the string tension is what governs the amount of over-travel of the strings. I actually have a different saddle for playing DADGAD tuning on my 12 string to stop the buzz.
Nice work as usual jerry! When I set up my personal guitars I set up with a scrap of solid corian countertop material for a saddle,shave it down as low as it can go the I measure it with the micrometer and make my bone or walrus ivory saddle. My busted up hands likes stupid low action on acoustics. My electrics aren’t as big of a deal because the lower string tension. But on my small body 12 frets I go as low as I can.
I posted a question about this very problem only a couple weeks ago, and kindly got a reply so thank you. I now have a much better understanding of how to bring my string action down...and i also now know that it doesn't involve messin with the truss rod...Nice song by the way...Respect and peace to ya.
Cutting no corners on a beautiful instrument. Great job.
First let me say I enjoy your site and you are doing a great job. Let me throw in my 2 cents if I can. As a luthier and repairman I have set up a few thousand guitars in a 20 year period. After having set up dozens of Strats, Tele's, Les Pauls, etc...Taylors, Martins, Guilds, etc,...after a while and from experience you already know where you are headed with the set up and if there may be any limitations. In general but not always the better made the instrument the better the set up can be and easier to do.
Assuming the set up on the guitar is not that far off I play all the strings on the 10,11, 12 frets, maybe more. I try and make them buzz.
If I can hit hard and they don't buzz I know I have room to lower the saddle, How much?...That comes with experience.
Assuming the neck relief is close, I will play the 5 and 6th strings on the 2, 3, 4th frets. If there is buzzing esp. the 6th string, 3rd fret, the G-chord...the neck is too flat.
After that I'll go back and forth between the truss rod and saddle and slightly " tweak" everything
These are generally the first two steps I do to get things close. Of course every instrument is different and each will have different variables...are the frets level? Is there a rise at the end of the fret board? Is there a lot of tension in the neck/instrument, or is it relaxed?
The playing style of the musician? Does he play smoothly or slam the strings? Does he bend a lot.
I could write a book, I'll stop....Carry on...Good job.....
8492 You are very correct, once that "line" is crossed it's hell getting back, we have all been there and that was my thoughts exactly, thank for posting.
Write the book, bro. Publish online. Everyone profits.
I don’t like action that low but you proved it can be done
Without buzz. The owner seemed very pleased and that’s
what matters. Great job!
Hi Jerry;
That's cutting it close. Great job and happy customer, you can't beat that.
I’m so glad I stumbled upon your videos! Thanx for sharing, and also making them exactly like I like them! 👍👨🔧👍💪🏼 Regards from Northern Norway.