I've been working on my firearms and drag race engines for over 20 years quite comfortably and confidently, but im about to set up my long dormant les paul and es 335 after a 15 year hiatus from playing. Always went to a luthier in the past so this project makes me nervous lol. But it has to be done. Appreciate the video, sir. Wish me luck 🤞
The best set-up guide on TH-cam. Simple, methodical and easy to follow. I just did my first Les Paul with your help and it turned out pretty darn good. Thank you!
@@ManotickGuitarTech Yes I did! Some TH-cam luthiers have a strident voice but yours is calming. Very pleasant to hear when one is in the middle of a challenging task.
Great setup video, your absolutely right about cutting the nut right away on a new guitar I would definitely wait also . I personally think a lot of these Gibson Les Paul’s suffer from poor neck angle and you can usually tell that by a guitar that has to have the stop bar jacked up to clear the bridge.
A terrific "HOW TO" video. Your step by step instructions were very helpful and easy to understand. Old guys like mean lose a little brain power over time. So thanks for that. I looked at many other videos about the set up for Les Pauls and yours is no.1 !!!! Russ from NJ!
Another great video to match and go along with the Fender strat setup video !! I've got both videos bookmarked to refer to when doing setups on customers guitars that I'm asked to "go over". I'm relatively new to doing setups for other people and I hope to be able to bring the specs to mind as easily as you seem to be able to. I'm "late to the party" at my ripe old age of 69. I have to say that I like your calm demeanor and rapport. Possibly it's your age. Or that you're a Canadian { as am I } You look to be closer to my age than say someone in their twenties. My apologies if I'm off on your age. Thanks again and I am really enjoying using the gauges I purchased from you. They work great.
Thanks so much for making this video I really appreciate it!! I was/am still super nervous about adjusting the truss rod etc etc but it needs to be done to address the buzzing on the lower E string which is driving me crazy 😵💫😖. It was very kind kind of you to share your knowledge and experience to help people like me, and to go to all the trouble to film and edit too, so thanks again from everyone you’ve helped, you’re a knight in shining armour 😊 🎸🙏🏼
So did the paper test. Just my high and low E string the paper does not pass. So do i just raise the tailpiece? Awesome vid. Got everything else set up properly. Thank u
Hi when i did that it made the guitar note sound a little flatter…also my G string sounds a little flat. Even when tuned. Just subscribed…trying to learn ….other wise its 70 bucks for set up. Thx
No , when you capo t the 1st fret and then hold down the string at the last fret you, in effect, create a straight edge to measure with. Bridge height is taken out of the equation.
I’m wondering why you’d adjust the height of the strings above the frets by first setting neck relief, followed then by adjusting the bridge height. Won’t the string height change after adjusting the bridge height? I’m just asking, no expert here, but I do work on my guitars. I start set ups by first setting the neck relief to dead flat with the truss rod. Then I check the fretboard by using a black marker and precision machined flat 1” wide 18” bar with 600 grit to check for high frets. Then I file to re-profile any that are high and sand up through 2500, then polish with a Dremel and Dialux. Then I check the space between the bottom of the nut slots against the height of the first fret. Only then do I set the action with the bridge and then fine tune with as little neck relief as possible. I shoot for about .060” at the 17 fret low E without any string buzz. I’m just a hack who enjoys working on guitars. I enjoy your videos. Thanks
To be honest I would do the nut after neck relief by putting a cable at the third fret. Using the Capo, I can isolate other factors that affect the nut
The nut should always be the last thing adjusted, so that is why you do it in the order shown. If you file the nut too low before the string height or intonation, you might not be able to get the desired action without string buzzing.
@@ManotickGuitarTech I disagree. I dial the nut to 4/1000 using a nut action gauge and it should not buzz at the proper action, with Capo on of course. The nut should be adjusted without the influence of action and intonation
One correction. At 9:15 in the video he says :"To raise the bridge turn the thumbwheel clockwise." He meant to say counter clockwise. Otherwise a great video.
I have this 2013 Studio that I never liked. Just didn't sound good and didn't play great. I bought it from a music store and thought it was set up. I think I even set it up myself. But going through every step and making sure they are all correct rescued this guitar. It takes as long as it takes, but it's worth doing right.
At 4:00 in, THERE'S the difference right there between GIBSON and Chinese knockoffs ! Look at the Cleanliness of the truss rod access hole ! Never see that on a chinese guitar. Attention To Detail ! Btw, I have that Exact Paul in the same color and I love it !!
But is is painted or at least cleaned up. The cheap ones have rough cut wood , no paint or just left over sawdust. I Have Not opened my Gibson Studio, YET ! We'll see !! lol@@ManotickGuitarTech
If a tech mentions 10 12 thousands for relief etc for setup my guitar will go elswhere.These are just general factory settings used by the factories that need to get the them on the shop floor so they dont have to do a fret dress because most have high low frets anyway and will feel stiff to play.
Best video I found! Excellent camera angles, explanation straight to the point! Thank you for this!
I've been working on my firearms and drag race engines for over 20 years quite comfortably and confidently, but im about to set up my long dormant les paul and es 335 after a 15 year hiatus from playing. Always went to a luthier in the past so this project makes me nervous lol. But it has to be done. Appreciate the video, sir. Wish me luck 🤞
Good luck and send some updates! Don't forget to subscribe
The best set-up guide on TH-cam. Simple, methodical and easy to follow. I just did my first Les Paul with your help and it turned out pretty darn good. Thank you!
I am glad that was helpful! I hope you have subbed to my channel too?
@@ManotickGuitarTech Yes I did! Some TH-cam luthiers have a strident voice but yours is calming. Very pleasant to hear when one is in the middle of a challenging task.
Great setup video, your absolutely right about cutting the nut right away on a new guitar I would definitely wait also . I personally think a lot of these Gibson Les Paul’s suffer from poor neck angle and you can usually tell that by a guitar that has to have the stop bar jacked up to clear the bridge.
A terrific "HOW TO" video. Your step by step instructions were very helpful and easy to understand. Old guys like mean lose a little brain power over time. So thanks for that.
I looked at many other videos about the set up for Les Pauls and yours is no.1 !!!!
Russ from NJ!
Thanks, Russ - us old guys have to stick together!
Awesome vid sir! Thank you very much from Italy!
Grazie, signore!
Gonna give this a go w a 91 Les Paul studio . Thanks Friend!
Good luck!
Awesome video , will be going over my used Epiphone Les Paul 100th anniversary. Tx .
Glad you enjoyed it - I hope you have subbed to my channel as well?
Another great video to match and go along with the Fender strat setup video !! I've got both videos bookmarked to refer to when doing setups on customers guitars that I'm asked to "go over". I'm relatively new to doing setups for other people and I hope to be able to bring the specs to mind as easily as you seem to be able to. I'm "late to the party" at my ripe old age of 69. I have to say that I like your calm demeanor and rapport. Possibly it's your age. Or that you're a Canadian { as am I } You look to be closer to my age than say someone in their twenties. My apologies if I'm off on your age. Thanks again and I am really enjoying using the gauges I purchased from you. They work great.
Thanks and glad to hear you like the gauges!
Thanks so much for making this video I really appreciate it!! I was/am still super nervous about adjusting the truss rod etc etc but it needs to be done to address the buzzing on the lower E string which is driving me crazy 😵💫😖. It was very kind kind of you to share your knowledge and experience to help people like me, and to go to all the trouble to film and edit too, so thanks again from everyone you’ve helped, you’re a knight in shining armour 😊 🎸🙏🏼
Thanks!
Thanks, nice straight-forward set-up!
Awesome video! Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us!
Glad you enjoy my videos - I hope you have subbed to my channel as well?
Incredibly useful video, thanks!
Excellent video!
Thanks! I hope you have subbed to my channel, too?
Thank you. Very informative video!
Glad you liked it - I hope you have subbed to my channel too?
Great Video!
thx....nice insight in your setup ways.....cheers.
I enjoy your videos thank you
thanks a lot! I hope you have subbed to my channel as well?
@@ManotickGuitarTech I have
@@ManotickGuitarTech I have
Nice video, Thanks
Thank you.
So did the paper test. Just my high and low E string the paper does not pass. So do i just raise the tailpiece? Awesome vid. Got everything else set up properly. Thank u
Just raise the tailpiece on both sides until the strings clear...thanks for watching! I hope you have subbed too?
Hi when i did that it made the guitar note sound a little flatter…also my G string sounds a little flat. Even when tuned. Just subscribed…trying to learn ….other wise its 70 bucks for set up. Thx
Surely the first thing is to check the bridge is at some kind of neutral / factory height? As that will affect reading of the truss rod?
No , when you capo t the 1st fret and then hold down the string at the last fret you, in effect, create a straight edge to measure with. Bridge height is taken out of the equation.
Yes indeed!
Good video👍🏻
Thanks, I hope you have subbed to my channel too?
So did you raise the bridge or lower it. Clock wise is to the right.
I’m wondering why you’d adjust the height of the strings above the frets by first setting neck relief, followed then by adjusting the bridge height. Won’t the string height change after adjusting the bridge height? I’m just asking, no expert here, but I do work on my guitars. I start set ups by first setting the neck relief to dead flat with the truss rod. Then I check the fretboard by using a black marker and precision machined flat 1” wide 18” bar with 600 grit to check for high frets. Then I file to re-profile any that are high and sand up through 2500, then polish with a Dremel and Dialux. Then I check the space between the bottom of the nut slots against the height of the first fret. Only then do I set the action with the bridge and then fine tune with as little neck relief as possible. I shoot for about .060” at the 17 fret low E without any string buzz. I’m just a hack who enjoys working on guitars. I enjoy your videos. Thanks
not sure... maybe somebody else knows
You play with a light LIGHT touch with action so low. Feet buzz is ok. As long as you aren't fretting out, it won't produce through amplification.
To be honest I would do the nut after neck relief by putting a cable at the third fret. Using the Capo, I can isolate other factors that affect the nut
The nut should always be the last thing adjusted, so that is why you do it in the order shown. If you file the nut too low before the string height or intonation, you might not be able to get the desired action without string buzzing.
@@ManotickGuitarTech I disagree. I dial the nut to 4/1000 using a nut action gauge and it should not buzz at the proper action, with Capo on of course. The nut should be adjusted without the influence of action and intonation
@@guitarto1272 There are several ways of arriving at the same result, as long as it works for you, that's great.
What bridge usually Studios have? Nashville or ABR-1?
Most likely a Nashville tune-o-matic
@@ManotickGuitarTech Thanks!
I have a question regarding the neck pick up. Is that one supposed to move around when you manipulate it with your fingers?
Yes, they are on springs
Thank you very good video ..just am i the only one that find 5/64 and 3/64 very high ?
Those are Gibson specs- 3/64 is definitely not high action.
I was taught 0.006" of neck relief ... have I've been not giving my necks enough relief??
If you guitar doesn't buzz with that spec, then roll with it... the numbers I give are guidelines to use and experiment with.
What kind of strap is that
Maybe you should have explained that you don’t turn the Allen key clockwise to raise the sting height
That saddles installed backwards
One correction. At 9:15 in the video he says :"To raise the bridge turn the thumbwheel clockwise." He meant to say counter clockwise. Otherwise a great video.
Thanks
Was just going to comment this…. :)
Ive got an eipiphone les Paul special addition statin findg😢
I have this 2013 Studio that I never liked. Just didn't sound good and didn't play great. I bought it from a music store and thought it was set up. I think I even set it up myself. But going through every step and making sure they are all correct rescued this guitar. It takes as long as it takes, but it's worth doing right.
Glad I could help out! I hope you have subbed to my channel as well?
@@ManotickGuitarTech Of course! How else am I going to learn the proper way to set up my Strat? :)
At 4:00 in, THERE'S the difference right there between GIBSON and Chinese knockoffs ! Look at the Cleanliness of the truss rod access hole ! Never see that on a chinese guitar. Attention To Detail ! Btw, I have that Exact Paul in the same color and I love it !!
Although I have seen lots of compound in real Gibson Les Paul's, as well.. depends on the day at the factory, I think.
But is is painted or at least cleaned up. The cheap ones have rough cut wood , no paint or just left over sawdust. I Have Not opened my Gibson Studio, YET ! We'll see !! lol@@ManotickGuitarTech
This video is not for us in Europe who measure in millimeters.
😢
If a tech mentions 10 12 thousands for relief etc for setup my guitar will go elswhere.These are just general factory settings used by the factories that need to get the them on the shop floor so they dont have to do a fret dress because most have high low frets anyway and will feel stiff to play.
Bye 👋
When they set it to 6 or 8 you'll come back saying there's fret buzz 😂
The guitar MUST be In "player position" when checking neck relief. NEVER on the bench. Your measurements would have been inaccurate.