How to Make a Cheap Guitar Play Better
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ก.ย. 2024
- Today Caleb looks at an affordable guitar, and takes a crack at making it better!
Website: www.mills-guitars.com
Email: calebmills@mills-guitars.com
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Please keep comments constructive and on topic.
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My first guitar back in early '65 was a very cheap electric that had terrible very high action. My dad was no luthier, but was a mechanical engineer and highly skilled DIY. He worked over the bridge to allow it to go lower, and we worked together to round out the fret ends just like here... They were sharp and nasty. It was a make-do guitar, gone in about a year, replaced with a Guild that I still have and enjoy.
Caleb, this is the best explanation of fixing sharp fret ends I've ever seen, and I've been watching guitar repair videos on youtube for six years. Good close up and everything made sense.
Great job caleb, cheap doesnt always mean bad. Thanks for sharing your skills. Cheers. Andy. Scotland.
Good job Caleb. I saw a guy on YT who makes a pretty good case for using slot-less bridge pins. The slots for the strings are actually cut into wood on the inside of the holes. It sort of makes sense to me so I may try it on a cheap Yamaha that I have.
I like this video Caleb. You are getting better and better every time talking to the camera. Thanks for the content
Never get ride of it Caleb, I wish I could play my first guitar one more time. Got it at K-mart back in the 70s. I can’t even remember what make it was.
My first guitar bought by my mother at a thrift store was a Global Gibson hummingbird copy $25. Then onto a much better quitar Alvarez RD 2O CU beautiful guitar I have run the gamut of guitars my final installment, dropped off by my father at the end of a 4 hr road trip from Pleasantville OH, A 2007 MARTIN DX1 BEAUTIFUL PLAYING GUITAR SADLY I CANT PLAY VERY MUCH TORN R SHOULDER.
I always chalk my files to keep them from loading up and it also keeps them sharper longer. Just be sure to use the proper wire brush to clean them after use, and you will get years and years of use with even the cheap 2.99 needle files from harbor freight. And the higher quality files could last you a lifetime or two as long as you maintain them. I have a set of files that were made in the late 1930's that are still good.
Overall, this was a really good video, good content and nicely produced! Two tidbits that you should have added: since the saddle was low, and you lowered it even more, I would have filed an angled string groove in the front of the pin holes to increase the break angle of the strings to the saddle, putting more downward pressure on the saddle for a better sound. Also, bevel the tips of the bridge pins to better lock the balls in place. Best of luck on your new career as a luthier, and on your TH-cam channel! It looks like you're going to do really well.
Caleb, you do great work. Just something I noted. I like the fact that you taped the fretboard off. I have a saying... "No precaution is too small." I am 62 yrs old, I always tape my fretboard. Sure, it might not be necessary sometimes, but you just never know. I have seen some totally strange things happen that you couldn't ever have imagined, or predicted. So you keep taping those fretboard's, and you will be glad you did. Especially that first time when you just stepped away for a moment, and when you returned your fretboard had something on it that you couldn't even figure out what it was, but luckily the tape protected it. That actually did happen to me. The what, and why would be a great story for another time. Anyway, keep up the great work, and remember "No precaution is too small." Feel free to use that saying if you want...Lol, obviously I didn't invent it but it's a great saying. 😎
An alternative to filing fret ends is to use emery boards ( ladies use them for their nails ) they don't mark the fingerboard, so no need to tape it off, saves all that gime
The closeups are great. These are great videos. Thanks…
Great job. 1st time listener and newsubscriber. Thank for sharing. I have a similar guitar that I just put fresh strings on. I'm going to use this video as a guide to sweeten mine up like you did here. Thanks !
Excellent video Caleb! It’s nice to hear things someone can do to an old or inexpensive guitar to help it play better. Very informative!
Thank you, Caleb! I just got a new guitar a few weeks ago and need to round off the fret ends. I really didn't know how, I was just going use a small diamond type file, but thanks to you, I'll use my other file, and tape, and it'll probably go lots better and faster.
Thank you for the way you explain things. Very understandable... And useful! Easy to follow, you're a good teacher!
I recently bought a cheap Keith Urban signature model from 2013 just because I think they look cool. Horrible fret buzz and would not hold tune. Watch Rosa and Caleb vids. Add some relief, underbow, to truss rod, and graphite to nut and it plays very well. Thank you Sir!
One of the things you didn't show that I would have liked to have seen was I noticed there was at least one tuning machine that appeared to have a loose bushing. A video on how to check and repair/adjust those would be good.
Another Awesome "Masterclass" Setup Tuition, Thankyou. Nice Work.
Hello from British Columbia Canada 🇨🇦👋👍❤️🌲🌲
Good job, Caleb. Jerry taught you well.
Really nice job, Caleb. It's cool to see you build up your channel. This video should do very well. Peace.
KF110 Flatwounds would help with playability
Nice easy refresh and adjust job Caleb,Cheers!
I think you just came up with your first Caleb shirt, “It’s not a maraca”.
Power Pins would help w/ restringing. A Handy Pro Winder would help w/ faster string changes. #StaySafe out there
Nite and day improvement !
Awesome job !
I really enjoy your channel, Caleb but if I might suggest a cool graphic on the wall behind you?
Love your videos! Always very informative.
Great info Mr C. Love this stuff...
Great video! I’ll bet there are lots of people with their “cheap” guitars that could benefit from just a little TLC.
I’m dealing with fret sprout on my daily player. I fixed the worst ones myself without filing the fretboard in half.😵💫
Good luck starting out on your own ... These vids are entertaining and educational ...
thanks for these valuable hints! a very well done video!
Greetings Caleb. I have been following you for a long time, you are doing great work. I have a problem. The polish of my Classical Guitar has turned white, I think it is called cloudy. How can I go about this color change? Greetings from Turkey.
My friend, I just purchased a Yamaha c70 very old, and I used a product called Old English, it’s a mineral oil, it brought back the shine and rehydrated my fretboard. Have a great day.
great video! thankyou! keep them coming!!!
Good job but the contour of the fretboard is important to check first
Really informative video Caleb. I am going to do the same with my old Yamaha acoustic.
Thanks.
Hey Caleb. Another great video. Have you thought about discussing the importance of the string break angle at the saddle?
Quote of the day: "It's not a maraca."
Nice video, Caleb. Simple and straightforward. 🎼🎼🤗
Awesome thank you ! 👍👍👍🤟
I've been waiting for a video like this. Many people have "starter" guitars that could use some help. My son started playing with an Alpha1. We upgraded him to a Washburn and sadly he no longer has it. Maybe your tips could have helped it? 😆
Caleb, this is Bob Stowe. Are you doing this setup on my guitar? I’ve sent emails this morning.
Would love to send my Yamaha to you.
Good to see you since you broke away from Jerry
????? !! whats the story on the resonator over your left shoulder? let me know what it is and if it's on the market.
Great Video Caleb keep it up 👍
I know you were keeping it simple but would you have checked the intonation if this was the only guitar a person had and wanted better results?
Nice job Caleb 👍
Nice job. Looks and sounds like you really paid attention to that guy you use to work for..😁
Where do you buy the wedge shaped string height tool at? I would love to have one of those.
Insize 4630-1E Taper Guage, they aren't cheap!
It's always a good thing to breathe some new life into an old neglected friend! Excellent tips! Cheers P[>
Nice video, great content and well-presented. : )
thx................
Hi Caleb, beater guitar, Hilarious.... hey what camera do you use? and in amazon the pads with high grits are with different colours, other brand, not those alpha abrasives.take care.
I don't have a good ear, but it does sound better to me.
Love the Resophonic hanging on the wall….what exactly is it …..good video 😊
That's my Dobro. I'm not sure of a model number, but I think it's from the 90s
Caleb, get it down and give us a demo please.
I was curious what the string height was at the nut end.
Great video.
Kickass vid 👍👍
Another Great Video !!!!
inexpensive I have a savanna guitar and It plays very nice good pricing for a DIYer.
My Dad has a 73 Gibson j45/50 that was bought new.
It was a Christmas gift from my mother.. its a great rich sounding guitar.. but has always been hard to play...
As the strings are too heavy and the action is too high...
Also the bridge is lifting and moving... the through hole pegs are the only thing holding it on... where are you located? Would you be available to mabe working on a Gibson.. im in south central Kentucky
@@davidjessee7701 you should email him at the link in the description
Why can't it also be a maraca?
the fret board look like ziricote ?
Jerry will be proud
Good tips. I have some cheap guitars, too. ;)
Nice. Easy way to make an inexpensive guitar, sound pretty decent.
That's easy! Hand it to a professional! hehehe
I really like cheap guitars but I've never played a good one and I'm 36
Q. how to make a cheap guitar play better?
A. give her a
whole lotta love - Led Zeppelin
👍🤘