So my sister bought a guitar fifty years ago and gave it to me 35 years ago. Before youtube, I always determined to be a good steward of the instrument. Since youtube, it is easier to know what to do thanks to videos like yours. Incidentally, the guitar has not been just a dust collector while in my possession.
Thank you so much, Kris. I'd love to learn all of this. I live in a very small city. It would be nice one day to be "that guy" who fixes and adjusts guitars (luthier) here in my hometown. I'm nervous now but learning as much as I can. I'm a sponge for information.
Ich mag Deine Videos, man lernt viel über sein liebstes Instrument, zumal Du alles sehr verständlich erklärst. Vielen Dank dafür. . I like your videos, you learn a lot about your favorite instrument, especially as you explain everything very well understandably. Many thanks for that 🙏👍🤗
Vielen vielen Dank Burkhard! :) Es ist doch echt toll, wenn man sein Instrument versteht, oder? Man muss natürlich nicht Gitarrenbauer werden, aber einstellen und prüfen, ob alles passt, ist doch Gold wert. Viel Spaß beim Spielen!! //ciao, Kris
1-Is it necessary to lower the string height on all acoustic guitars? 2-What should be the optimum string height at the first fret and at the 12th fret? 3-Is it true that when calibrating the guitar, that is to say, the height of the strings, filing the bone or maybe adjusting the rail or the nut, it is necessary to check it for at least 2 days so that the wood rests and gets used to the tension that is being given?
I would argue that you adjust your bridge saddle last. If you've done the nut and then find that you have to lower your bridge saddle more than a little you might find the strings are too low at the nut (after lowering the bridge saddle).
How would you set up an acoustic guitar for a shredder? Lead guitar? Like: a band doing an all acoustic show. Most guitarist who primarily use electric guitars have low actions. How would you compensate on an acoustic
nice vid, I have been searching for an acoustic/electric guitar with a very low action (or potential for a very low action) - At the stores, they all seem very high to me. Do you have any recommendations for guitars that are particularly very well suited for guys who want a low action (for lead playing) on an acoustic electric. I've learned that things like large fretboard radius (flat fretboard) help with a low action setup for lead playing and thin necks help. Any recommendations from acoustic guitars that you have worked on that are particularly well suited for a low action set up for lead playing?
What if the action is still too high after adjusting the truss rod, having a perfect nut and filing down as low as possible the bridge saddle? The soundboard is quite a bit arched so i guess the only solution is to lower the whole bridge by removing, filing it down and regluing it. Is there any other solution besides donating the guitar ? 🤔
Hi Panos, first of all, I don't have your guitar in my hands, so I'm just "shooting in the dark". I think (and also hope) that the soundboard is simple too arched. Basically too moist. When wood dries out, it shrinks -> the top should go back down. That would solve your problem. If that's not the case, the neck - body angle is not right and that's a big big issue unless you have a Taylor guitar. Please don't file the bridge thinner, that can cause a number of issues and can ruin the guitar. If you're not happy with your guitar, I recommend bringing it to a local luthier / tech for a check as soon as you can. //cheers, Kris
Sorry Kris, I'm a couple days late. Call me a coward but I think I'll let someone who knows what they're doing adjust my acoustic if needed. I'll happily have a go on electric though!
Sure man, no worries! :) What you can still do if you're not sure about the state of your acoustic is checking the top of the body and the neck relief. If you know what's up, you can brief your tech guy better too. You don't have to adjust things is you're not comfortable with doing it. //cheers, Kris
Hey, I have 2mm for the E6 and 1.8mm for the E1 at the 12th fret on my own acoustic. The action is relatively low but without any fret buzz. //cheers, Kris
1:36 who let that get so dusty and where does one get that microfiber oven mitt to polish dirty hot guitars with? ? for sometime , Is it hard to add an after market pickup to a regular acoustic, what options are available for some one whos hands naturally cause a heavy relic to things they touch?
They still make those really cool ones that pop into the sound hole. Prices range from about $30 on up. Seymour Duncan even makes a hum cancelling one for about $60 that is intriguing.
Cool tips! Crazy question, I noticed some of the block inlays on one of my guitars is starting to come up!!😱 Can I just glue them back down with Krazy glue (cyocryanolate) ? Or is there something special I should use?
Hey, most inlays are glued in with wood glue or super glue. Nothing super special. You could use super glue for example but mask everything with a fine tape (the inlays top and the fretboard around the inlay). Otherwise it will look pretty nasty and you might regret doing it yourself. :D //cheers, Kris
Hi: What type of strings should I use in my acoustic guitar if I want a brighter sound. I’m using bronze phosphorus 10-50 and sounds too deep for my taste.
Try 80/20 bronze strings. Also, it might just be that your guitar's characteristic is that - it's just deep. It's especially apparent in Mahogany top dreadnoughts.
Mi tapa en la zona del puente también está arqueada (uso 10-46). Es normal ese abombamiento? No he tenido una guitarra cara tipo Martín para comparar pero imagino que esto no ocurrirá en guitarras de gama alta. Quería poner 12-52. Imagino que se inclinará más la tapa. Sería aconsejable?
Hey Paul, thanks! I don't have tabs unfortunately, it was a simple improv, as you said. I think I tuned the guitar to D standard (or maybe D# standard). The chords were Em7, G/B (a G major chord with a B as the lowest note), C6. It's such a beautiful sounding guitar and it's unfortunately not mine. haha! //cheers, Kris
Question here: the bottom of my saddle is notched because it has an undersaddle pickup (like the ones in some Ovation guitars). Should I sand my saddle the same way you did to lower the action in my guitar or is there a different way to do it for notched saddles? I'm afraid I might ruin the way it is supposed to contact the pickup under the saddle. Thanks in advance and congrats for the great videos!
You can absolutely screw up your pickup balance by improperly shaping the bottom of the saddle, potentially acoustic sound as well.. This is why Taylor for instance, which also comes with under saddle pickups, doesn’t recommend shaving the saddle as a method for lowering string action (instead, they suggest adjusting the neck angle, which is easy since it’s not glued in on their guitars, I’m not sure about Ovation though).
Hey, Victor M is right, you shouldn't sand the saddle unless you are sure about the process. If the saddle has notches and you're not confident about the whole thing, bring the guitar to a luthier. Good news is: in most cases you don't have to do anything with the saddle. The right state of the top of the body, and the right neck and nut setup are more than enough. :) //cheers, Kris
we’ve all been there bud ☺️ the pegs should be set deep enough to hold that end of the string while we wind up each one. you would definitely benefit from looking up a “restringing acoustic guitar tutorial” video. besides getting instruction on how to perform the job the vid will probably address common issues we might encounter.
So my sister bought a guitar fifty years ago and gave it to me 35 years ago. Before youtube, I always determined to be a good steward of the instrument. Since youtube, it is easier to know what to do thanks to videos like yours.
Incidentally, the guitar has not been just a dust collector while in my possession.
Thank you so much, Kris. I'd love to learn all of this. I live in a very small city. It would be nice one day to be "that guy" who fixes and adjusts guitars (luthier) here in my hometown. I'm nervous now but learning as much as I can. I'm a sponge for information.
Ich mag Deine Videos, man lernt viel über sein liebstes Instrument, zumal Du alles sehr verständlich erklärst. Vielen Dank dafür.
.
I like your videos, you learn a lot about your favorite instrument, especially as you explain everything very well understandably. Many thanks for that 🙏👍🤗
Vielen vielen Dank Burkhard! :) Es ist doch echt toll, wenn man sein Instrument versteht, oder? Man muss natürlich nicht Gitarrenbauer werden, aber einstellen und prüfen, ob alles passt, ist doch Gold wert.
Viel Spaß beim Spielen!!
//ciao, Kris
1:33 This is No Nut November Kris!
I loved this so much! So helpful and delivered with a lovely playful energy :) Thank you for these acoustic guitar setup resources🙏
🎉
1-Is it necessary to lower the string height on all acoustic guitars?
2-What should be the optimum string height at the first fret and at the 12th fret?
3-Is it true that when calibrating the guitar, that is to say, the height of the strings, filing the bone or maybe adjusting the rail or the nut, it is necessary to check it for at least 2 days so that the wood rests and gets used to the tension that is being given?
Thanks!🙂. I need this set up tips for my new acoustic. Great!👍
Your a legend Chris, thank you. Cheers 🍻
I would argue that you adjust your bridge saddle last. If you've done the nut and then find that you have to lower your bridge saddle more than a little you might find the strings are too low at the nut (after lowering the bridge saddle).
How would you set up an acoustic guitar for a shredder? Lead guitar? Like: a band doing an all acoustic show. Most guitarist who primarily use electric guitars have low actions. How would you compensate on an acoustic
Gut Video. Danke!
nice vid, I have been searching for an acoustic/electric guitar with a very low action (or potential for a very low action) - At the stores, they all seem very high to me. Do you have any recommendations for guitars that are particularly very well suited for guys who want a low action (for lead playing) on an acoustic electric. I've learned that things like large fretboard radius (flat fretboard) help with a low action setup for lead playing and thin necks help. Any recommendations from acoustic guitars that you have worked on that are particularly well suited for a low action set up for lead playing?
Great info, sub'd
What if the action is still too high after adjusting the truss rod, having a perfect nut and filing down as low as possible the bridge saddle?
The soundboard is quite a bit arched so i guess the only solution is to lower the whole bridge by removing, filing it down and regluing it.
Is there any other solution besides donating the guitar ? 🤔
Hi Panos, first of all, I don't have your guitar in my hands, so I'm just "shooting in the dark". I think (and also hope) that the soundboard is simple too arched. Basically too moist. When wood dries out, it shrinks -> the top should go back down. That would solve your problem. If that's not the case, the neck - body angle is not right and that's a big big issue unless you have a Taylor guitar. Please don't file the bridge thinner, that can cause a number of issues and can ruin the guitar. If you're not happy with your guitar, I recommend bringing it to a local luthier / tech for a check as soon as you can.
//cheers, Kris
Sorry Kris, I'm a couple days late. Call me a coward but I think I'll let someone who knows what they're doing adjust my acoustic if needed. I'll happily have a go on electric though!
Sure man, no worries! :) What you can still do if you're not sure about the state of your acoustic is checking the top of the body and the neck relief. If you know what's up, you can brief your tech guy better too. You don't have to adjust things is you're not comfortable with doing it.
//cheers, Kris
Great vidio i have acoustic yamaha guitar but the tone is very bad how can i inprove it thank you Rone.
Good video
Great video Kris. I wonder what string height you recomend and what you use/prefer?
Hey, I have 2mm for the E6 and 1.8mm for the E1 at the 12th fret on my own acoustic. The action is relatively low but without any fret buzz.
//cheers, Kris
@@ThomannsGuitarsBasses thanks Kris, take care
1:36 who let that get so dusty and where does one get that microfiber oven mitt to polish dirty hot guitars with?
? for sometime , Is it hard to add an after market pickup to a regular acoustic, what options are available for some one whos hands naturally cause a heavy relic to things they touch?
They still make those really cool ones that pop into the sound hole. Prices range from about $30 on up. Seymour Duncan even makes a hum cancelling one for about $60 that is intriguing.
Like the dean markley pro mag?
@@PooNinja Ya, low tech is the best tech
Cool tips! Crazy question, I noticed some of the block inlays on one of my guitars is starting to come up!!😱 Can I just glue them back down with Krazy glue (cyocryanolate) ? Or is there something special I should use?
Hey, most inlays are glued in with wood glue or super glue. Nothing super special. You could use super glue for example but mask everything with a fine tape (the inlays top and the fretboard around the inlay). Otherwise it will look pretty nasty and you might regret doing it yourself. :D
//cheers, Kris
@@ThomannsGuitarsBasses Thanks!
Hi: What type of strings should I use in my acoustic guitar if I want a brighter sound. I’m using bronze phosphorus 10-50 and sounds too deep for my taste.
Try experimenting with different string types until u probably find one that fits your liking. Hope this kinda helps.
Try 80/20 bronze strings. Also, it might just be that your guitar's characteristic is that - it's just deep. It's especially apparent in Mahogany top dreadnoughts.
Mi tapa en la zona del puente también está arqueada (uso 10-46).
Es normal ese abombamiento?
No he tenido una guitarra cara tipo Martín para comparar pero imagino que esto no ocurrirá en guitarras de gama alta.
Quería poner 12-52. Imagino que se inclinará más la tapa. Sería aconsejable?
Thank you.. 🙏🏾🙏🏾
Thanks for watching Jerry! //Kris
Could you share the tabs for the little improv? So beautiful! Is it tuned down? Thanks!
Hey Paul, thanks! I don't have tabs unfortunately, it was a simple improv, as you said. I think I tuned the guitar to D standard (or maybe D# standard). The chords were Em7, G/B (a G major chord with a B as the lowest note), C6.
It's such a beautiful sounding guitar and it's unfortunately not mine. haha!
//cheers, Kris
Question here: the bottom of my saddle is notched because it has an undersaddle pickup (like the ones in some Ovation guitars). Should I sand my saddle the same way you did to lower the action in my guitar or is there a different way to do it for notched saddles? I'm afraid I might ruin the way it is supposed to contact the pickup under the saddle. Thanks in advance and congrats for the great videos!
You can absolutely screw up your pickup balance by improperly shaping the bottom of the saddle, potentially acoustic sound as well.. This is why Taylor for instance, which also comes with under saddle pickups, doesn’t recommend shaving the saddle as a method for lowering string action (instead, they suggest adjusting the neck angle, which is easy since it’s not glued in on their guitars, I’m not sure about Ovation though).
Hey, Victor M is right, you shouldn't sand the saddle unless you are sure about the process. If the saddle has notches and you're not confident about the whole thing, bring the guitar to a luthier.
Good news is: in most cases you don't have to do anything with the saddle. The right state of the top of the body, and the right neck and nut setup are more than enough. :)
//cheers, Kris
@@ThomannsGuitarsBasses Thank you so much, Kris!
@@boshi9 Thanks a lot!
Cool 💯💯💯
Your guitar is tuned 2 steps lower
How to do you keep the string pegs from popping out when restringing a guitar?
we’ve all been there bud ☺️ the pegs should be set deep enough to hold that end of the string while we wind up each one. you would definitely benefit from looking up a “restringing acoustic guitar tutorial” video. besides getting instruction on how to perform the job the vid will probably address common issues we might encounter.
👍😁
I have a question my guitar keeps buzzing and echoing when I play a fret I am a beginner and I don't know why😖
👏👏👏👏👏👏😀
"I normally go for between .6 and .8 mm". Where, how, what? Presumably you measure something first? Pretty useless video.
yup, what height at the 12th fret?