Baxter and Jonathan discuss the QC of a guitar VS the setup and what guitar brands do it really well. Sometimes what you think is a QC issue is just something that needs a setup.
Amen. I roll my eyes when I see vids or hear people say “great guitar for the money! All you need to do is change the tuners, swap out the pickups and electronics and give the frets a full level, crown, and polish.”
I've never been able to afford a bike that needed setting up- I have the 700 Denali by GMC- highest end bike I've ever owned- and it's a cheapo I think- relative to the real thing. That said- it does have some adjustments on it- and I have the tool that sold with it that's supposed to be for that very purpose- I need to figure it out and set it up, maybe I would enjoy riding more. The front sprocket shifter thingy is really out of whack- you push it as far as it will go, and it still hasn't pushed the chain over enough to shift gears. The rear is almost as bad. I've just learned to live with the gears I have.
Great comparison! But can you imagine if cyclists checked out different examples of the same bike for ride quality like guitarists sometimes do (looking for the lightest one?) But since you brought it up -- what's the Campagnolo of guitar brands? (I ask this as long time diehard who has ridden Campy for over 35 years going back to the finicky early Synchro shifting and now still tolerating EPS challenges fine tuning the front derailleur to not throw the chain. Yeah, guess there's a reason Campy has almost disappeared from the pro peloton, but still...)
@@stoneysdead689 Ask around and find a Co-op or bike shop that has a good customer rep. If you get someone that knows what they are doing they can get even a very basic inexpensive bike working pretty good. I tried to work with customers that did not have a lot of money, they often had a bike as their primary transportation.
@@rubiera58 Some do lots of testing. I had regulars that test rode bikes every week and rarely bought anything. As for the Campy of guitars, I don't even know. I am a terrible player and pick guitars based entirely on looks. 🙂 Teisco Sharkfin, Mosrite, or Yamaha SGV for me.
I got a 2021 Road Worn Tele for Christmas from my Mom. Probably the most amazing and surprising gift I've ever received. Incredible neck on this thing, it's why I fell in love with it at the store. Setup was great. The main QC problem I found was with the holes for the pickguard and control plate. I noticed the original pickguard had a slight hump in the middle and was a little misaligned with the bridge but it didn't really bother me. I went to install a genuine Fender Bakelite style pickguard, doesn't flex that well, and discovered all but 1 of the pickguard holes were wrong and you could see where the drilling template or something shifted drilling the top control plate hole, the bottom control plate hole was fine so the control plate wasn't parallel to the bridge by a mm or two. I ended up filling the holes and re-drilling them accurately at my buddies machine shop and it's perfect now. I like the guitar too much and just dealt with it. It does have really bad fret sprout which I've heard people complain about on MIM guitars but I also live in Canada and have a battle with very dry winters. When I got it it was fine. I'll most likely pay someone to deal with that, working on frets scares me haha.
I've always enjoyed setting up my own guitars. Hitting that sweet spot in action, pickup height, intonation and neck adjustment has always inspired my playing. QC is something I take to my local luthier to deal with.
I had a pro player in Nashville that bought a 1958 led Paul goldtop, 1959 Sunburst les paul, both reissues in n 2011 along with 1275 double neck. All direct from the factory And all unplayable.. I had to file the nut, saddles, and basically reset up all three guitars before they were playable. Also file the fret ends down. All QC issues. This also happened with a Black Beauty in 2013. I have had brand new epiphones right out of the box with a pickup not wired to the switch. Rough and sharp Fret ends are always an issue with new fenders too. QC issues are a huge problem from a lot of companies.
Holy Batman, the guitar behind Baxter, a very hard to find Ibanez 2622 Steve Miller Model in an even harder to find wine red, Im ten thousand miles away in JHB South Africa and I have the exact same one thats just been set up and plays mega cool, how weird to have been playing it all day and now I see one on this video.
I took one of my basses into GC for a set up after I had had it for a few years. The guy messed it up to the point where it played and sounded better before I had the work done. I took a set up class from another music store and now I do all my own work including neck adjustments.
I have an affinity for pawn shop guitars. Over the years I've learned what to look for as far as QA/QC issues, and anything I buy I usually drop off at the FLGS (favorite local guitar shop) for an inspection and setup. Luckily, I haven't had a bad experience yet. Fun viddy, y'all Thanks!
I just expect whatever guitar I buy will need a setup, particularly if it is new. Sometimes I get a good used guitar and it need nothing but strings. That is VERY rare. Last week traded for a new '21 Ovangkol OMC16e at local dealer. Truss rod 1/8 turn to engage (yea, no tension on it), then set relief, measured string height and pulled off strings and saddle and dropped it almost 2mm to the action I like. Played it out that night. You mentioned loose screws, etc. I just check those things every time I even change strings. Guitars VIBRATE. Vibration makes stuff loose. I keep a 1/4" T-handle with a proper size deep well socket JUST to tighten nuts on tuners. Don't forget to check strap button/screws. You will never forget if it happens to you with your nice LP or Martin falling off.
Setup from my local luthier, killer! My new silver sky right out of the box, stunningly perfectly setup. I’m scared to even change the strings, it’s so perfect a year later. But everything else, it’s AMAZING what my local shop does to set up my other guitars. Get a setup done at your local shop! Worth every penny! Even my Collings was improved by it!
Setting pickup height is easy. First how do you want the sound to change? Generally raising the pickup will increase sharpness and articulation, lowering it will mellow the tone. The only caveat is not to raise the pickups to where the magnets will interfere with string vibration. There are factory recommendations which I can't specifically remember but can be looked up, but are just that, recommended settings, not necessarily best for your taste. So change the height a little at a time until your guitar sounds its best for you and you're there.
I agree with you guys. Set up can be an easy fix to some issues. Fortunately for me, the Tech/Luthier I go to, in Los Angeles, is 10 minutes away from where I live.
The best setup I've experienced was my G&L CLF L-2000 bass. All US made G&L basses are plek'd at the factory (and guitars, I assume) Good stuff guys. Cheers
Ehhh, they used to be all pleked. From February 2011 to January 2017, they were all pleked, it is now either a special request or on custom shop models. The down side they do not do it on all of them anymore. The up side? They are now selling too many to plek them all.
I bought a new custom shop ES-355, guitar arrived perfectly but the case had some bad QC. Wouldn’t close properly, and latches weren’t aligned. Contacted Gibson custom and they are sending me a replacement case. I’m surprised on how quick and responsive they were
@@itslikethesamebutdifferent8020 QC from a company is the point whether it's the guitar or the case. They're taken care of the customer when there was a problem.
I have read time and time again that Michael Kelley guitars are super awesome, but only after you spend sometimes almost as much as the guitar fixing and adjusting things that shouldn’t have gotten past the QC department.
And a message to any other guitar shops who sell basses (who apparently don’t have bass players working there) PLEASE set the basses up before displaying them. Won’t mention brands or names but I was deeply saddened to pick up nice looking basses and find them virtually unplayable because the action was so high from a simple to fix loose truss rod and or a needed bridge saddle adjustment. I immediately thought how many people would be turned off to playing because they were so difficult to play and had no setup. 👏🏼
Cornell in the UK has always been superb. Dennis is a superstar. Aguilar in New York have always been great too. They gave me prompt and helpful customer support even though I didn’t buy their product new. Class acts!
I purchased a $1000.00 guitar. It was expensive for me. The strings rattled on the frets and the store I purchased it from did "not" find the problem. I purchased another from Sam Ash and had a great experance with them. I ask them if they would look at my guitar and they said the neck was twisted. It was retured to Gibson, they sent me a realy nice,new guitar.
The Prs guitars I have played at the guitar stores had setups that were worry of the Gibson name plate. I hated them. I always setup my own guitars the way I like em.
Shoutout to Mike Lull Guitarworks in Bellevue, WA, for the plek and setup on my mexi Charvelle San Dimas... spendy, yes... perfectly right, absolutely... PLEK is a thing to behold... I normally do all my own work, I've followed/ learned from Erlewine through GP magazine since the 70s... but THIS guitar deserved, and I deserved, the kind of attention only a high-end luthier can provide... of 14 guitars, now my favorite... Merry Christmas to me.
EVERY guitar I've ever touched at Willcutt Guitar was a joy to play. Every one. From a $2000 strat to a " bullet" telecaster. They really care about their customers.
Jonathan talking about the bell w/ a nice Monty Python ref: “Bring out your dead”. 😂 We have an ice cream truck in my north LA neighborhood that sounds like a death bell and I say the same thing every time it comes around. It’s the little things…
On the topic of "I want to fight my guitar" I've found that I want to fight the tension of the strings just a bit so that anything I play is deliberate and not the result of poor left hand discipline
I love the way my 2020 Epiphone les Paul gold top plays and sounds but my god did they get sloppy and crazy with the binding filler on that baby! It’s not a bug ,it’s a feature! It’s definitely uniform in it’s irregularity!I went with Sweetwater recently and found out their 50 point inspection has nada to do with setup but nothing I couldn’t tweak myself.
Belltone outta Florida builds some magical custom guitars. And I mean custom. No partscaster T style, S style BS. I own two. Gorgeous. Customer service is phenomenal. They'll make you fall in love with the guitar all over again. Half the price of Echo Park who wouldn't even return a phone call.
A guitar with great QC will be easier to set up. I like my guitars a certain way in terms of action, string gauge, trem set up (if applicable), etc. It’s a very personal thing and it doesn’t matter how well the instrument was adjusted at the factory or dealer, I’m still going to take it to SOHO guitars and have it “set up” to my requirements and nuisances. A guitar with bad QC will simply require much more work in order to get it properly set up. So give me a guitar that is well-built, and I’ll get it set up.
I've had a few Fenders that all needed a setup out the box. My PRS and Ibanez guitars were really good out the box and only needed slight tweaks for my personal taste.
I have pretty much every guitar go thru a setup with my local luthier. He’s caught a major issue with the neck of a “demo” 60s original jazzmaster from Sweetwater that I would have missed. Also I fingerpick a lot and sometimes the setup is too low for me and causes buzzing on the E and A string.
QC should stand alone and setup of any guitar is a given. However, when the lack or complacency of QC by many companies such as the G -- which to me is marketing -- impacts the overall functionality of the guitar -- then setup often becomes "reconstruction". If a car was built with a twisted frame no amount of front and rear alignment is going to get that car to drive right - ever. And that has happened to me over the past 3 weeks when I -- a Gibson guy who does do my own setups -- was plagued with not 1, not 2, but 3 new Gibson ES guitars that no matter each subjected to hour + setup work by experienced techs and a great brick and mortar store in the MD suburbs..couldn't get any of these to play in tune and/or to not fret out. Result, as shi*ty as I felt, yesterday I said..listen to my gut, the guitar will never be right and give me my money back. The store was gracious during this entire 3 wk ordeal. So when does the lack of QC cross the line so that setup must give way to reconstruction or in my case -- walk away from the guitar...SAD. So now, in my early 70s, an experienced band and recording guitarist is searching for a new guitar from a B & M store -- PRSs are great...overpriced -- and at my age and having had 10 PRSs over the years -- all great -- refuses to pay the MSRP for a Core model or relegate to an S2 or SE at my age -- Sad to say...this could be my last GAS attack!
Just because it develops a twist doesn't automatically make it unplayable. I've seen several over the years that played great everywhere on the neck and they have an obvious slight twist. The instruments still played so well it wasn't worth attempting a repair
after a while, playing many different guitars I learned they do vary in so many ways. as Baxter pointed out, beginners have little to no reference (i was completely ignorant). Another benefit of local shop, I learned much just waiting for a lesson, coming in to see what new stuff and talking with folks in the shop. other customers, musicians and all the people who worked there. in the 80's = no entarwebs and shops were/are a great space to be. listening...and ask ?'s btw, did Baxter decide to try coffee on this day?
I just purchased a brand new Cassic Vibe 70's HSS Strat- and I had to return 2 before I finally got a good one. And even now- the one I have, has a slight issue- I don't think the strings are grounded properly. I realize all guitars make a little hum when you take your hand off the strings, but this one is excessive, and it also does it while I'm playing- every once and awhile you hear static, a little popping, hum- while playing. Only does it on the neck pickup while playing clean and it could be my amp- I haven't tried it on a different amp yet- we'll see. I'm pretty sure it's the guitar though- and since I already have a Grisby 5-way switch/tone/vol/input jack assembly ready to install- I'm going to try that and see if it helps. This assembly has a connection that's intended for a string ground so- I think maybe that's what's wrong with it- maybe it's not grounded properly.
I bought a CV Jazzmaster from GC and asked about setup. The guy said "We take it out of the box, we tune it, and we hang it on the wall. That's the setup."
I always pay for a setup at time of purchase with any guitar I buy. It's so worth it to have someone adjust everything and potentially identify problems before you take it home.
The only guitar I ever bought that was perfect was a Gibson. I live 100 miles from where it was made, and it was fresh off the line when I bought it. I’m thinking that a lot happens between west coast and east coast, or across the pacific. It’s unfortunate that guitar shops can’t afford to setup each guitar before setting out to the sales floor, and so probably an unrealistic expectation. Learn to setup your own guitar! It’ll teach you how to distinguish between a good guitar that just needs a setup and a turd!
I'm so jealous. Every time I bring a guitar in to a shop asking for help they look at me like I'm nuts! And I don't live some small backwater town. Simple stuff that should be quick and easy, but as a new player I'd like to speak to a human and learn about my guitar: "You can leave it here and we'll have it done in a week." That may fix the instrument but what about helping the customer?
I will not buy an electric guitar from out of town again. Got a Gretsch , never out of the box at the shop, play test was not checked by Gretsch, and E an B pickups did not work. The store had a 14 day return policy and it took over 16 days to arrive. Store would not take it back. Gretsch said to contact the store. Not good
I bought a guitar, doesn't matter what, and it played fine in the showroom but the sales person decided that it needed the truss rod adjusted. When I got home it didn't play so well and after a few days I took it back and proceeded to get into the I paid a lot of money and it doesn't work squabble. He said it needs a set up and a setup costs $125. And BTW I've been a customer for 30 years so I expect to be treated seriously. Anyway with enough squawking that customers began to take notice we finally got to the owner who "discovered" it had a serious underbow in the neck. He fixed it and I was gone in another 15 minutes. Now I'm suspicious. I could have diagnosed and fixed it myself but I didn't want to because you sell a guitar it should be right. Now I have to wonder if this is a scam. I know things are tight but I've never been questioned by them before. Did the salesperson underbow the neck on purpose to get me to come back and pay for a set up? Now I'm suspicious and will never buy from them again. Trust can be lost in a moment and never recovered.
QC when it comes to the setup is standard across the board, it's up to the player / shop to set it up to the players measurements. Manufacturers setup is only the starting point.
Setup is crucial!!! Purchased a ultra tele from beautiful Lauzon music and was setup by them before i picked up. Still plays like a dream and still my fave cause it was setup properly!!!! Purchased a sg 61’ from a large retailer, and trapezoid popped out, and needless to say, they wanted nothing to do with helping me. Small = quality!!!!
Also side note, that sg ‘61 was the third guitar I’ve had an issue with, the first 2 being the les Paul special tv yellow that both bindings peeled off of neck. So 3 outta 3, I’ve had major issues with guitars that are $2500+. I get not a lot a retailer can do avijt that, also why I’ll always stick with fender, cause I’ve had no such issues with my USA fender guitars.
Never be afraid of a screwdriver and a soldering iron. Learn how to use them. Learn some patience. Yes, there is some bad instruments that get through. A local shop “should” catch these and work with the ones that make it through. Be understanding. Things happen. There’s very little that you’ll mess up that can’t be fixed by a professional.
I worked in an Upstate NY Music Store from 1976-1979 and Fender QC was "inconsistent". We'd get 6 brand new Strats and no two were the same. One might have the neck weigh more than the body, so much so that while wearing with a strap you had to hold the neck up to play it while the next Strat might weigh 10#! The neck joints were also famously poor fitting. That was NOT the golden age of Fender.
Idk what this falls under but my old beat up Taylor 110e plugged in sounds louder and better than my new 324ce plugged in. The 324 sounds thin and tinny plugged in. I don't even bring the new 324 out to gigs because of this issue. Idk if the pickup in the 324 is messed up but the 324 was built during November of 2021. Covid was still causing the bullshit issues that came with it so who knows if that caused the issue. $2400 goes far now days I reckon. It came directly from the factory. I ordered it after a return so maybe it was rushed.
This just makes me think of the Reverb seller who refused to take photos and the weight on a $2000 Stratocaster they had for sale because they wanted the buyer to be the first one to touch it. Definitely wasn’t gonna get a set up outta those cats.
Places like Casino are Amazing because, if its on their Walls, it is probably already Set up, unless its Big Box GC that always seems to need to add on a set up to whatever you buy. Not every manufacturer has PRS level QC, although Gibson Pleq'ing their Les Paul's was major quality upgrade. Damage during Shipping easily avoided, Warranty Work is a nightmare most times from packing shipping, wait times for repair or replacement and by that time your once Special dream guitar is nothing close. The guitar you played, that you compared to the other guitars on the wall you took home from Casino was one that fit your needs, fit your body and fit your budget, You are Never going to get that Online or from Big Box Stores and even most manufacturers. Shop The Smaller Shops Like Casino before they disappear
Only once in 60 years of playing did I get a guitar that was perfect from the manufacturer. That was my Hretsch vintage select Country Gentleman from their Japan factory. Just perfect...
That's alright, my folks took me to see the original Alien movie. I guess that was inappropriate, but I friggen love 1&2 to this day. And, now we know eachothers age 😅
Setups are personal You might love a setup I don’t A good tech will ask what you like/want, etc Even if the shop sets up the guitars before they display them, they still might need a setup for you. I have had guitars I loved that were even better after a setup
I was fighting it, but I yawned too, LOL. I like setting up my own stuff. Grab a few beers, tune on some tunes and set it up the best it can be for me. Back in the day I would take them to a guitar guy and they would set it up 'by the numbers' and it wouldn't seem so good. I do a much better job of setting it up because it is set up for me by me.
Same thing happened. Bought a new Ibanez prestige. I wanted it to get setup with low action and all that. The dude set it up and sucked ass😂. I payed 100 dollars to get it set up too... after that I said fuck that and learned to do it myself.
Gibson says they Plek your guitar now but I highly doubt it. Maybe the Custom Shop (I’ve had 3 recent ones) but I doubt the USA claim. Had lots of issues with those. I think it’s a matter of getting out the door as quickly as possible due to demand during the pandemic. Still love Gibson but why so many QC issues on the USA guitars and very little on my Custom Shops. Guess it’s dollars. I love how they send a pic of your supposed guitar in a Plek machine. If it is in fact your guitar they don’t seem to turn the machine on🤔
I thought the setup is a personal touch where you're love playing a certain way. QC are the guitar playing with a standard that all players are constantly level.
I'm so surprised that screws on guitars don't loosen themselves from vibration more often. I think even if it's not a big issue, blue locktight is so cheap that there's no reason not to use a little dab on each screw to make sure they stay exactly where you want them.
⚓️ Thanks Ben 😎 Hangover Monday is the cause of loose screws, vibration of an instrument will not loosen a properly seated screw. Admittedly after a couple decades … the nature of small screws in wood will wear/loosen. But the screws should be checked ~ five years. Adhesive sealants have no place on an instrument. Blue Loctite will do more damage than good.
@@MayorMcCheese2000 blue loctite is for metal & has no place in wood applications, blue loctite is so strong that it may pull out inserts, blue loctite is damaging to finishes used in instruments-though polyurethane is quite resistant to solvents, might not be so bad there. These are not asssumptions. I’m a retired marine engineer, I have used the spectrum of Loctite products. Loctite has no place on an instrument… except maybe a piano, the big frame that supports the strings.
@@pierheadjump how many guitars have you built? If blue loctite is pulling out your inserts, its because you have no idea how to mount inserts. Also if you're getting loctite on the finish, you shouldn't be building instruments with such poor hand eye coordination. I'm a machinist, not an engineer, cuz someone actually has to be able to get the work done for real and not just talk about it...
what about the guys that get mad when their guitar is opened?? because you did a setup and fixed any qc issues. I know you have had that stuff. I think its the dumbest shit ever when guys are like "I want it unopened from factory" makes no sense whatsoever. Oh USPS lost a microcosm I ordered. My mom is a manager at main post office in our area and she found out it was delivered to the people down the street. 4905 instead of 4805. I got my money back, but it was like pulling teeth to get them try to do anything. Can't file a claim for 3 days, then they go put a paper in peoples door saying give it back, then eventually go knock on their door....but of course by that time they done sold it for $300 buck to a pawn shop or guitar center. I was so mad......they did nothing, I went down there myself and tried to find it.
Thank you so much you guys. You touched my heart. You’re my friends on the other side of the road. Kim and I love y’all. -C You mentioned me!!! I’m a lady😂-k Kim and I are featured on my music channel, if it’s appropriate to share? I thought it might be fun 😊⚜️ Thanks y’all! youtube.com/@CoryLilJackThornton
PRS guitars are setup perfectly even the SE series ! Gibson and Fenders are setup so poor from the factory ! No Suhr , Anderson and PRS always perfect !
QC is a problem for EVERYTHING...... made in America, including services. It's a workforce experience/generational quality issue. Hang on to your American made guitars. If we don't get hit by an asteroid, the younger players will long for them, so they should outpace inflation. There is a reason I prefer PRS....... I have bought every one of them sight unseen from the web. Some ring a bit better than others, but they are absolutely at a base level, even at the lower end. I love the classics, but expect they need work, just as an older automobile does.
If it needs a screwdriver or an Allen wrench, that's setup.
If it needs a file or a soldering iron, that's on QC.
Yes. Agreed.
Yeah but they gotta make the video longer than 10 seconds
@@holstorrsceadus1990 lol. Yes indeed.
Amen. I roll my eyes when I see vids or hear people say “great guitar for the money! All you need to do is change the tuners, swap out the pickups and electronics and give the frets a full level, crown, and polish.”
@@paullanglois3768 I wish I could thumbs up that one twice man.
I ran a bike shop for 20 years. Set up was very important, both from the standpoint of customer satisfaction and the reputation of the shop.
Great example. Thank you for sharing this and keeping us safe on the road! Rubber side down! 😉⚜️
I've never been able to afford a bike that needed setting up- I have the 700 Denali by GMC- highest end bike I've ever owned- and it's a cheapo I think- relative to the real thing. That said- it does have some adjustments on it- and I have the tool that sold with it that's supposed to be for that very purpose- I need to figure it out and set it up, maybe I would enjoy riding more. The front sprocket shifter thingy is really out of whack- you push it as far as it will go, and it still hasn't pushed the chain over enough to shift gears. The rear is almost as bad. I've just learned to live with the gears I have.
Great comparison! But can you imagine if cyclists checked out different examples of the same bike for ride quality like guitarists sometimes do (looking for the lightest one?)
But since you brought it up -- what's the Campagnolo of guitar brands?
(I ask this as long time diehard who has ridden Campy for over 35 years going back to the finicky early Synchro shifting and now still tolerating EPS challenges fine tuning the front derailleur to not throw the chain. Yeah, guess there's a reason Campy has almost disappeared from the pro peloton, but still...)
@@stoneysdead689 Ask around and find a Co-op or bike shop that has a good customer rep. If you get someone that knows what they are doing they can get even a very basic inexpensive bike working pretty good. I tried to work with customers that did not have a lot of money, they often had a bike as their primary transportation.
@@rubiera58 Some do lots of testing. I had regulars that test rode bikes every week and rarely bought anything.
As for the Campy of guitars, I don't even know. I am a terrible player and pick guitars based entirely on looks. 🙂 Teisco Sharkfin, Mosrite, or Yamaha SGV for me.
A good guitar shop with a reliable luthier is gold.
I got a 2021 Road Worn Tele for Christmas from my Mom. Probably the most amazing and surprising gift I've ever received. Incredible neck on this thing, it's why I fell in love with it at the store. Setup was great. The main QC problem I found was with the holes for the pickguard and control plate. I noticed the original pickguard had a slight hump in the middle and was a little misaligned with the bridge but it didn't really bother me. I went to install a genuine Fender Bakelite style pickguard, doesn't flex that well, and discovered all but 1 of the pickguard holes were wrong and you could see where the drilling template or something shifted drilling the top control plate hole, the bottom control plate hole was fine so the control plate wasn't parallel to the bridge by a mm or two. I ended up filling the holes and re-drilling them accurately at my buddies machine shop and it's perfect now. I like the guitar too much and just dealt with it. It does have really bad fret sprout which I've heard people complain about on MIM guitars but I also live in Canada and have a battle with very dry winters. When I got it it was fine. I'll most likely pay someone to deal with that, working on frets scares me haha.
I've always enjoyed setting up my own guitars. Hitting that sweet spot in action, pickup height, intonation and neck adjustment has always inspired my playing. QC is something I take to my local luthier to deal with.
I watched this on my TV instead of my phone because I was having lunch. It was freaky seeing you guys human size
I had a pro player in Nashville that bought a 1958 led Paul goldtop, 1959 Sunburst les paul, both reissues in n 2011 along with 1275 double neck. All direct from the factory And all unplayable.. I had to file the nut, saddles, and basically reset up all three guitars before they were playable. Also file the fret ends down. All QC issues. This also happened with a Black Beauty in 2013. I have had brand new epiphones right out of the box with a pickup not wired to the switch. Rough and sharp Fret ends are always an issue with new fenders too. QC issues are a huge problem from a lot of companies.
Holy Batman, the guitar behind Baxter, a very hard to find Ibanez 2622 Steve Miller Model in an even harder to find wine red, Im ten thousand miles away in JHB South Africa and I have the exact same one thats just been set up and plays mega cool, how weird to have been playing it all day and now I see one on this video.
I've had "pro setup" when I bought from certain dealers. Always felt like the exact off the shelf setup from guitar center.
I took one of my basses into GC for a set up after I had had it for a few years. The guy messed it up to the point where it played and sounded better before I had the work done. I took a set up class from another music store and now I do all my own work including neck adjustments.
That shouldnt be, man. If i setup someone's guitar I wouldn't even take their money until theu check it out and are happy.
Love watching you guys hang everyday. Can't believe you don't have more subscribers.
I can. Have you met people? They’re stupid. Casino guitars rules.
It means a lot to me, too. Like, more than words could ever say…
Hey, I'm a girl and nobody made me watch...I look forward to your awesome vids! :)
I picked up a 2022 75th commemorative tele recently that is perfection, killer job from Fender usa
I have an affinity for pawn shop guitars. Over the years I've learned what to look for as far as QA/QC issues, and anything I buy I usually drop off at the FLGS (favorite local guitar shop) for an inspection and setup. Luckily, I haven't had a bad experience yet.
Fun viddy, y'all
Thanks!
I just expect whatever guitar I buy will need a setup, particularly if it is new. Sometimes I get a good used guitar and it need nothing but strings. That is VERY rare.
Last week traded for a new '21 Ovangkol OMC16e at local dealer. Truss rod 1/8 turn to engage (yea, no tension on it), then set relief, measured string height and pulled off strings and saddle and dropped it almost 2mm to the action I like. Played it out that night.
You mentioned loose screws, etc. I just check those things every time I even change strings.
Guitars VIBRATE. Vibration makes stuff loose. I keep a 1/4" T-handle with a proper size deep well socket JUST to tighten nuts on tuners.
Don't forget to check strap button/screws. You will never forget if it happens to you with your nice LP or Martin falling off.
I love how you guys are baggin' on Danish Pete, but you all know he is the shit.
Make that three of us 🎸! Ps., Love that 335 sunburst behind you guys.
Hey! I'm a girl and I've been watching reliably for over 2 years now haha so there's AT LEAST two of us lol
My Fender Original 60’s Jazzmaster was set up perfectly out of the box. I’ve only changed the strings. Just a gorgeous guitar 🎸!!!!
Yeah, girl here. So I guess there are three of us?
Setup from my local luthier, killer! My new silver sky right out of the box, stunningly perfectly setup. I’m scared to even change the strings, it’s so perfect a year later.
But everything else, it’s AMAZING what my local shop does to set up my other guitars. Get a setup done at your local shop! Worth every penny! Even my Collings was improved by it!
Same thing here. My maple ss is the best setup I've ever received on a new guitar and it came that way out of the box.
Change your strings dude...
Nice chat, thanks! Can you please do an episode on setting pickup height?
Setting pickup height is easy. First how do you want the sound to change? Generally raising the pickup will increase sharpness and articulation, lowering it will mellow the tone. The only caveat is not to raise the pickups to where the magnets will interfere with string vibration. There are factory recommendations which I can't specifically remember but can be looked up, but are just that, recommended settings, not necessarily best for your taste. So change the height a little at a time until your guitar sounds its best for you and you're there.
"We live next to the railroad tracks."
Home is where the heart is 🎸
I agree with you guys. Set up can be an easy fix to some issues. Fortunately for me, the Tech/Luthier I go to, in Los Angeles, is 10 minutes away from where I live.
Can I ask who you’re using? I’m in the LA (SFV) area and need to get some work done and need a new luthier/guitar tech. TIA!
The best setup I've experienced was my G&L CLF L-2000 bass. All US made G&L basses are plek'd at the factory (and guitars, I assume) Good stuff guys. Cheers
Ehhh, they used to be all pleked. From February 2011 to January 2017, they were all pleked, it is now either a special request or on custom shop models. The down side they do not do it on all of them anymore. The up side? They are now selling too many to plek them all.
@@jamesburge1983 Good to know James, my purchase was a few years back. Thanks
@@MrSparks54 The only reason I know is as a result of looking at a couple of build sheets and noticing that the plek numbers were missing.
I bought a new custom shop ES-355, guitar arrived perfectly but the case had some bad QC. Wouldn’t close properly, and latches weren’t aligned. Contacted Gibson custom and they are sending me a replacement case. I’m surprised on how quick and responsive they were
I think they’re talking about QC on the guitar and not the case as the case doesn’t really count. Your guitar arrived 100% on the QC.
@@itslikethesamebutdifferent8020 QC from a company is the point whether it's the guitar or the case. They're taken care of the customer when there was a problem.
@@216trixie oh ok. I didn’t think QC affected the case but perhaps you’re right.
I have read time and time again that Michael Kelley guitars are super awesome, but only after you spend sometimes almost as much as the guitar fixing and adjusting things that shouldn’t have gotten past the QC department.
And a message to any other guitar shops who sell basses (who apparently don’t have bass players working there) PLEASE set the basses up before displaying them. Won’t mention brands or names but I was deeply saddened to pick up nice looking basses and find them virtually unplayable because the action was so high from a simple to fix loose truss rod and or a needed bridge saddle adjustment. I immediately thought how many people would be turned off to playing because they were so difficult to play and had no setup. 👏🏼
Cornell in the UK has always been superb. Dennis is a superstar. Aguilar in New York have always been great too. They gave me prompt and helpful customer support even though I didn’t buy their product new. Class acts!
I purchased a $1000.00 guitar. It was expensive for me. The strings rattled on the frets and the store I purchased it from did "not" find the problem. I purchased another from Sam Ash and had a great experance with them. I ask them if they would look at my guitar and they said the neck was twisted. It was retured to Gibson, they sent me a realy nice,new guitar.
The Prs guitars I have played at the guitar stores had setups that were worry of the Gibson name plate. I hated them. I always setup my own guitars the way I like em.
My favorite thing about Danish Pete is the Durple....
Shoutout to Mike Lull Guitarworks in Bellevue, WA, for the plek and setup on my mexi Charvelle San Dimas... spendy, yes... perfectly right, absolutely... PLEK is a thing to behold... I normally do all my own work, I've followed/ learned from Erlewine through GP magazine since the 70s... but THIS guitar deserved, and I deserved, the kind of attention only a high-end luthier can provide... of 14 guitars, now my favorite... Merry Christmas to me.
Those Indonesian Squiers back inna day were notorious for twisted necks, especially the Strats for some reason...
Some manufacturers &/or shops do neither.
EVERY guitar I've ever touched at Willcutt Guitar was a joy to play. Every one. From a $2000 strat to a " bullet" telecaster. They really care about their customers.
Jonathan talking about the bell w/ a nice Monty Python ref: “Bring out your dead”. 😂 We have an ice cream truck in my north LA neighborhood that sounds like a death bell and I say the same thing every time it comes around. It’s the little things…
an ice cream truck with that sound .. ! 🤣
I would like someone to make 12” tall cuddly toy figures of you.
Good lord I needed that laugh…thank you…your seagull impression is spot on! By the end of the video I was ROLLING. 😂❤
On the topic of "I want to fight my guitar"
I've found that I want to fight the tension of the strings just a bit so that anything I play is deliberate and not the result of poor left hand discipline
My Dad took me to see Porkys when I was 12. I was a God among my friends!
I love the way my 2020 Epiphone les Paul gold top plays and sounds but my god did they get sloppy and crazy with the binding filler on that baby! It’s not a bug ,it’s a feature! It’s definitely uniform in it’s irregularity!I went with Sweetwater recently and found out their 50 point inspection has nada to do with setup but nothing I couldn’t tweak myself.
Belltone outta Florida builds some magical custom guitars. And I mean custom. No partscaster T style, S style BS. I own two. Gorgeous. Customer service is phenomenal. They'll make you fall in love with the guitar all over again.
Half the price of Echo Park who wouldn't even return a phone call.
A guitar with great QC will be easier to set up. I like my guitars a certain way in terms of action, string gauge, trem set up (if applicable), etc. It’s a very personal thing and it doesn’t matter how well the instrument was adjusted at the factory or dealer, I’m still going to take it to SOHO guitars and have it “set up” to my requirements and nuisances. A guitar with bad QC will simply require much more work in order to get it properly set up. So give me a guitar that is well-built, and I’ll get it set up.
I've had a few Fenders that all needed a setup out the box. My PRS and Ibanez guitars were really good out the box and only needed slight tweaks for my personal taste.
I just learned about "guitar-set ups".
I have pretty much every guitar go thru a setup with my local luthier. He’s caught a major issue with the neck of a “demo” 60s original jazzmaster from Sweetwater that I would have missed. Also I fingerpick a lot and sometimes the setup is too low for me and causes buzzing on the E and A string.
Agreed on all points. To me it’s zen like to take care of my guitars. Take care of them, they take good care of you.
QC should stand alone and setup of any guitar is a given. However, when the lack or complacency of QC by many companies such as the G -- which to me is marketing -- impacts the overall functionality of the guitar -- then setup often becomes "reconstruction". If a car was built with a twisted frame no amount of front and rear alignment is going to get that car to drive right - ever. And that has happened to me over the past 3 weeks when I -- a Gibson guy who does do my own setups -- was plagued with not 1, not 2, but 3 new Gibson ES guitars that no matter each subjected to hour + setup work by experienced techs and a great brick and mortar store in the MD suburbs..couldn't get any of these to play in tune and/or to not fret out. Result, as shi*ty as I felt, yesterday I said..listen to my gut, the guitar will never be right and give me my money back. The store was gracious during this entire 3 wk ordeal.
So when does the lack of QC cross the line so that setup must give way to reconstruction or in my case -- walk away from the guitar...SAD.
So now, in my early 70s, an experienced band and recording guitarist is searching for a new guitar from a B & M store -- PRSs are great...overpriced -- and at my age and having had 10 PRSs over the years -- all great -- refuses to pay the MSRP for a Core model or relegate to an S2 or SE at my age -- Sad to say...this could be my last GAS attack!
Just because it develops a twist doesn't automatically make it unplayable. I've seen several over the years that played great everywhere on the neck and they have an obvious slight twist. The instruments still played so well it wasn't worth attempting a repair
after a while, playing many different guitars I learned they do vary in so many ways. as Baxter pointed out, beginners have little to no reference (i was completely ignorant). Another benefit of local shop, I learned much just waiting for a lesson, coming in to see what new stuff and talking with folks in the shop. other customers, musicians and all the people who worked there. in the 80's = no entarwebs and shops were/are a great space to be. listening...and ask ?'s btw, did Baxter decide to try coffee on this day?
I just purchased a brand new Cassic Vibe 70's HSS Strat- and I had to return 2 before I finally got a good one. And even now- the one I have, has a slight issue- I don't think the strings are grounded properly. I realize all guitars make a little hum when you take your hand off the strings, but this one is excessive, and it also does it while I'm playing- every once and awhile you hear static, a little popping, hum- while playing. Only does it on the neck pickup while playing clean and it could be my amp- I haven't tried it on a different amp yet- we'll see. I'm pretty sure it's the guitar though- and since I already have a Grisby 5-way switch/tone/vol/input jack assembly ready to install- I'm going to try that and see if it helps. This assembly has a connection that's intended for a string ground so- I think maybe that's what's wrong with it- maybe it's not grounded properly.
I bought a CV Jazzmaster from GC and asked about setup. The guy said "We take it out of the box, we tune it, and we hang it on the wall. That's the setup."
You’ve got a fancy GC if they tune it 😂
I always pay for a setup at time of purchase with any guitar I buy. It's so worth it to have someone adjust everything and potentially identify problems before you take it home.
My PRS SE 35th Anniversary had loose tuners also,but my problem was with the hex bolts were loose on 3 of them.
The only guitar I ever bought that was perfect was a Gibson. I live 100 miles from where it was made, and it was fresh off the line when I bought it. I’m thinking that a lot happens between west coast and east coast, or across the pacific. It’s unfortunate that guitar shops can’t afford to setup each guitar before setting out to the sales floor, and so probably an unrealistic expectation.
Learn to setup your own guitar! It’ll teach you how to distinguish between a good guitar that just needs a setup and a turd!
I'm so jealous. Every time I bring a guitar in to a shop asking for help they look at me like I'm nuts! And I don't live some small backwater town.
Simple stuff that should be quick and easy, but as a new player I'd like to speak to a human and learn about my guitar: "You can leave it here and we'll have it done in a week."
That may fix the instrument but what about helping the customer?
I will not buy an electric guitar from out of town again. Got a Gretsch , never out of the box at the shop, play test was not checked by Gretsch, and E an B pickups did not work. The store had a 14 day return policy and it took over 16 days to arrive. Store would not take it back. Gretsch said to contact the store. Not good
I bought a guitar, doesn't matter what, and it played fine in the showroom but the sales person decided that it needed the truss rod adjusted. When I got home it didn't play so well and after a few days I took it back and proceeded to get into the I paid a lot of money and it doesn't work squabble. He said it needs a set up and a setup costs $125. And BTW I've been a customer for 30 years so I expect to be treated seriously. Anyway with enough squawking that customers began to take notice we finally got to the owner who "discovered" it had a serious underbow in the neck. He fixed it and I was gone in another 15 minutes. Now I'm suspicious. I could have diagnosed and fixed it myself but I didn't want to because you sell a guitar it should be right. Now I have to wonder if this is a scam. I know things are tight but I've never been questioned by them before. Did the salesperson underbow the neck on purpose to get me to come back and pay for a set up? Now I'm suspicious and will never buy from them again. Trust can be lost in a moment and never recovered.
QC when it comes to the setup is standard across the board, it's up to the player / shop to set it up to the players measurements. Manufacturers setup is only the starting point.
Setup is crucial!!! Purchased a ultra tele from beautiful Lauzon music and was setup by them before i picked up. Still plays like a dream and still my fave cause it was setup properly!!!! Purchased a sg 61’ from a large retailer, and trapezoid popped out, and needless to say, they wanted nothing to do with helping me. Small = quality!!!!
Also side note, that sg ‘61 was the third guitar I’ve had an issue with, the first 2 being the les Paul special tv yellow that both bindings peeled off of neck. So 3 outta 3, I’ve had major issues with guitars that are $2500+. I get not a lot a retailer can do avijt that, also why I’ll always stick with fender, cause I’ve had no such issues with my USA fender guitars.
Never be afraid of a screwdriver and a soldering iron. Learn how to use them. Learn some patience. Yes, there is some bad instruments that get through. A local shop “should” catch these and work with the ones that make it through. Be understanding. Things happen. There’s very little that you’ll mess up that can’t be fixed by a professional.
I worked in an Upstate NY Music Store from 1976-1979 and Fender QC was "inconsistent". We'd get 6 brand new Strats and no two were the same. One might have the neck weigh more than the body, so much so that while wearing with a strap you had to hold the neck up to play it while the next Strat might weigh 10#! The neck joints were also famously poor fitting. That was NOT the golden age of Fender.
Is that an original Supra Sahara on the wall back there? That was my first guitar.
14:34 Danish Pete is doing his best. 😂
Idk what this falls under but my old beat up Taylor 110e plugged in sounds louder and better than my new 324ce plugged in. The 324 sounds thin and tinny plugged in. I don't even bring the new 324 out to gigs because of this issue. Idk if the pickup in the 324 is messed up but the 324 was built during November of 2021. Covid was still causing the bullshit issues that came with it so who knows if that caused the issue. $2400 goes far now days I reckon. It came directly from the factory. I ordered it after a return so maybe it was rushed.
This just makes me think of the Reverb seller who refused to take photos and the weight on a $2000 Stratocaster they had for sale because they wanted the buyer to be the first one to touch it. Definitely wasn’t gonna get a set up outta those cats.
Michael Kelly sent me a new mandolin and told me to keep the one that worked better and ship back the one I wasn’t keeping.
Places like Casino are Amazing because, if its on their Walls, it is probably already Set up, unless its Big Box GC that always seems to need to add on a set up to whatever you buy. Not every manufacturer has PRS level QC, although Gibson Pleq'ing their Les Paul's was major quality upgrade. Damage during Shipping easily avoided, Warranty Work is a nightmare most times from packing shipping, wait times for repair or replacement and by that time your once Special dream guitar is nothing close. The guitar you played, that you compared to the other guitars on the wall you took home from Casino was one that fit your needs, fit your body and fit your budget, You are Never going to get that Online or from Big Box Stores and even most manufacturers. Shop The Smaller Shops Like Casino before they disappear
Only once in 60 years of playing did I get a guitar that was perfect from the manufacturer. That was my Hretsch vintage select Country Gentleman from their Japan factory. Just perfect...
My Gretsch 6120 Duane Eddy was the same, just perfect!
That's alright, my folks took me to see the original Alien movie. I guess that was inappropriate, but I friggen love 1&2 to this day.
And, now we know eachothers age 😅
Does Baxter have ADD
Come on guys, less movie reviews and more guitars talk. Hey Baxter, stay on track man !!
Is that the illusive Novo behind you? Support your local shop.❤️
Love the Monty python reference
I had my arms crossed too 😂
4 mins in and I’m still guessing what “QC” means? Quality control??
Yes, it does. It's also sometimes called QA, which means Quality Assurance.
Yes! Aliens! My favorite sci-fi movie!
We love Danish Pete 💟
Setups are personal
You might love a setup I don’t
A good tech will ask what you like/want, etc
Even if the shop sets up the guitars before they display them, they still might need a setup for you.
I have had guitars I loved that were even better after a setup
I was fighting it, but I yawned too, LOL. I like setting up my own stuff. Grab a few beers, tune on some tunes and set it up the best it can be for me. Back in the day I would take them to a guitar guy and they would set it up 'by the numbers' and it wouldn't seem so good. I do a much better job of setting it up because it is set up for me by me.
Same thing happened. Bought a new Ibanez prestige. I wanted it to get setup with low action and all that. The dude set it up and sucked ass😂. I payed 100 dollars to get it set up too... after that I said fuck that and learned to do it myself.
Gibson says they Plek your guitar now but I highly doubt it. Maybe the Custom Shop (I’ve had 3 recent ones) but I doubt the USA claim. Had lots of issues with those. I think it’s a matter of getting out the door as quickly as possible due to demand during the pandemic. Still love Gibson but why so many QC issues on the USA guitars and very little on my Custom Shops. Guess it’s dollars. I love how they send a pic of your supposed guitar in a Plek machine. If it is in fact your guitar they don’t seem to turn the machine on🤔
Diagnostics is the hardest part of any mechanic's
I thought the setup is a personal touch where you're love playing a certain way. QC are the guitar playing with a standard that all players are constantly level.
I'm kinda disappointed that you didnt think Grand Funk Railroad for The Locomotion
4:20 I did YAWN LOL
Thank you for saying QC and not QA.
I'm not dead yet! I'm so hapieeee...erp.
Should keep the videos a little longer!
There's a slight bow in my neck and the action is higher than I prefer. QC is awful
slow motion Macerana today
I'm so surprised that screws on guitars don't loosen themselves from vibration more often. I think even if it's not a big issue, blue locktight is so cheap that there's no reason not to use a little dab on each screw to make sure they stay exactly where you want them.
⚓️ Thanks Ben 😎 Hangover Monday is the cause of loose screws, vibration of an instrument will not loosen a properly seated screw. Admittedly after a couple decades … the nature of small screws in wood will wear/loosen. But the screws should be checked ~ five years. Adhesive sealants have no place on an instrument. Blue Loctite will do more damage than good.
@@pierheadjump explain to me exactly how blue loctite would cause any damage at all... I'd really love to hear this one.
@@pierheadjump also it seems like you're assuming that nobody uses brass inserts... I would dial back the assumptions.
@@MayorMcCheese2000 blue loctite is for metal & has no place in wood applications, blue loctite is so strong that it may pull out inserts, blue loctite is damaging to finishes used in instruments-though polyurethane is quite resistant to solvents, might not be so bad there. These are not asssumptions. I’m a retired marine engineer, I have used the spectrum of Loctite products. Loctite has no place on an instrument… except maybe a piano, the big frame that supports the strings.
@@pierheadjump how many guitars have you built? If blue loctite is pulling out your inserts, its because you have no idea how to mount inserts. Also if you're getting loctite on the finish, you shouldn't be building instruments with such poor hand eye coordination. I'm a machinist, not an engineer, cuz someone actually has to be able to get the work done for real and not just talk about it...
what about the guys that get mad when their guitar is opened?? because you did a setup and fixed any qc issues. I know you have had that stuff. I think its the dumbest shit ever when guys are like "I want it unopened from factory" makes no sense whatsoever.
Oh USPS lost a microcosm I ordered. My mom is a manager at main post office in our area and she found out it was delivered to the people down the street. 4905 instead of 4805. I got my money back, but it was like pulling teeth to get them try to do anything. Can't file a claim for 3 days, then they go put a paper in peoples door saying give it back, then eventually go knock on their door....but of course by that time they done sold it for $300 buck to a pawn shop or guitar center. I was so mad......they did nothing, I went down there myself and tried to find it.
OH NOOOOOOO! By tightening those loose screws ,it destroyed the character the mojo..ha ha
Thank you so much you guys. You touched my heart. You’re my friends on the other side of the road. Kim and I love y’all. -C
You mentioned me!!! I’m a lady😂-k
Kim and I are featured on my music channel, if it’s appropriate to share? I thought it might be fun 😊⚜️
Thanks y’all!
youtube.com/@CoryLilJackThornton
Twisted neck ? We know which manufacturer talking about.
My wife tells me to put you guy's on all the time. But unfortunately I have to tell her I've already watched it 😕
PRS guitars are setup perfectly even the SE series ! Gibson and Fenders are setup so poor from the factory !
No Suhr , Anderson and PRS always perfect !
QC is a problem for EVERYTHING...... made in America, including services. It's a workforce experience/generational quality issue. Hang on to your American made guitars. If we don't get hit by an asteroid, the younger players will long for them, so they should outpace inflation. There is a reason I prefer PRS....... I have bought every one of them sight unseen from the web. Some ring a bit better than others, but they are absolutely at a base level, even at the lower end. I love the classics, but expect they need work, just as an older automobile does.
speaking of QC, your voices and the video don't work. Even though they aren't, the voices sound
like a voice over. Its missing the room ambiance.
I yawned.
So did I