When I saw the almost hour long time on video I thought, "wow, must be a bunch of wasted speech". I was so wrong! This guy makes the set up so clear and simple and his commitment to detail is appreciated!
Thank you again. Just a tip for us newbies. I used my Fender headstock tuner to do this. Didn’t realize for a bit that when correcting intonation that I had to put the tuner into Chromatic mode.
Received my Kit and the nut file set today! I did setup my squier and I think I did well. Didnt have to use the nut file set. Thanks for this vid! I was watching back and forth while doing my setup! Saving up for the fret polishing set! Thanks Music Nomad!
Thank you for this video. I've learned a lot on how to properly setup my squier stratocaster in the right order. After discovering that the factory nut was set too low at 0.006 for low E instead of 0.010 and 0.004 for high E instead of 0.006. I'll be replacing the nut with a TUSQ XL. I can't wait to get started with setuping up the whole guitar and back to practicing. Love the information yall provided. This is game changer. THANKS
Hello. I understand that the measurements you provide are pressing the string between the second and third fret (the string rests on the second fret) and you take the measurement at the first fret. With all due respect, I consider that the measurements suggested by GraphTech leave the strings too high, so the measurements of your factory nut are perfect for me. The measurement method suggested by MusicNomad is different. With the curvature of the neck, the action of the strings and the radius of the strings correctly set, measure the distance of the strings from the first fret, with nothing pressed. The measurements you suggest are also perfect. Greetings.
First, great tutorial. And a tip: I just set up a new Squier Debut Strat. It’s their new, least expensive line sold exclusively on Amazon. $119! The Debut was much better set up than the Affinity shown in this video.
I went through the set up after a restoration job and everything wet well. I followed the guidelines for the nut slot depth but everything was a little sharp on the first fret. I took one or two extra strokes and it fell into place. Thanks for the tips. Oh and your nut files worked great!
We do not have a Squire Affinity FMT Telecaster video. However, this Squier Strat video will work for you. The Affinity has 6 individual saddles and will follow the same flow process. Feel free to reach out to us at tech@musicnomad.com and we can discuss your instrument's specific needs. Thanks!
Thanks for this video and all the rest you do! I certainly learned a lot and don't need to look anywhere else for my information and Nomad for my gear!! I'm a new to playing guitar, Less than a year. I purchased a Zager 50CE African Mahogany Acoustic Electric and it's beautiful! (I figured if I get a top quality guitar, I'd stick with playing it and not give up) (I also bought a Fender Squier Strat too). One thing Denny Zager said.... if you play a guitar, you need to learn everything about it and learn how to change strings to begin and then be able to make all adjustments and repairs.
I brought all of my guitars to Geoff when I lived in his area. Not only is he a great tech and master luthier he's also a great person. You should check out his custom guitars as well. Awesome video Geoff and now I will learn to do this myself since I no longer live in you neck of the woods......hopefully.
Great video. Geoff has mentioned uneven frets/needing fret level and dress, on a couple of these videos. Any plans to do a video on fret leveling and dressing in the future?
Whenever you use a wrench to adjust the truss rod to determine which way to turn it, approach the turn as if you were standing behind the wrench and staring at the nut. Take this same approach whether the truss rod nut is at the headstock or at the heel of the guitar. The approach would be to turn counterclockwise to loosen and add more relief into the neck and you would turn clockwise to tighten and have less relief in the neck.
Can you tell me the manufacturer of the red 6 drawer lockable mini chest that looks like it’s hung on the side of your black tool chest ? Great understandable setup video 👍🏻
I have a question. The tremolo springs tension should be adjusted with the strings in tune? Once we start working on the tremolo, the balance between strings tunning and the tremolo tension it's hard to get. If you know what i mean. Thanks
Hi Gustavo - yes, the guitar should be in tune when adjusting tremolo springs. We do know what you mean...it does take some back and forth between adjusting the tremolo string and tuning to dial it in.
Thank you for the informative video. I watched it especially to see if you have a solution for some issues I've had setting up my CV 50s Squier strat's action. I've tried to lower the action on this guitar to recommend values by Fender, Sweetwater, etc i.e about 1.2mm -1.6 mm at the 12th fret, but at those values there are many dead notes when bending at the high frets on the high E strins and a lot of buzz on the low E string, so it is impossible to play at those low actions. Even on the Squier manual itself they say that the Fender factory settings for the string heights at the 12th fret are : 0.098 inch (2.4892 mm) for the high E string and 0.12 inch (3.048 mm) for the low E string [These are even higher than Stevie Ray Vaughan's preferred actions), and that any problems caused by lowering the action will NOT be covered by Fender warranty. Also I've taken my Squier strat to some expert guitar techs but they all say that lowering the action of Squier strats to as low as 1.2 mm-1-5 mm will only cause dead notes and problems with SEVERE buzzes and bendings, so I had to accept a high action on this guitar. I'd appreciate your comments on this?
This is why making an investment in quality tools is worth the expense. You learn a skill while also saving money in the long run. I am very happy with the KISS tools and nut files. The G&L in the picture plays great thanks to these tools.
I am thinking of buying a used Fender (Squire) Stratocaster but I need to ask a repair question of someone as knowledgeable as yourself. The seller says, "the port where you plug in the cable unscrewed and fell loose inside" Could you please speculate how big of a repair this is and what's involved? Thank You
You use the pick capo to hold the E strings down at the first fret because the first fret is a fixed reference point for making the truss rod adjustment and string height adjustment. The measurements labeled on the gauges are based off the fixed-point reference of the first fret. Holding down the string at the first fret with the Pick Capo allows you to make an accurate adjustment following the KISS methods linear flow. In the flow you have not yet addressed your nut slot height which makes it a nonvalid reference point.
Less than 30 days ago I got a DKMGT from 2003!! Scored it from this chick who didn't know what she had -possibly didn't care 🤷🏻♂️ lol because it was priced SO cheaply. Thankfully I saw it immediately after she posted it! I've got 5 Jackson's now 🤦🏻♂️ lol This is the 2nd Japanese one and is my new Fav!! other's are post Fender buying Jackson 🤬) I dig the afterburner and am actually getting GREAT sounds from the stock EMG HZ's Awesome video brotha🤘🏻😆🤘🏻
Great video but under string radius gauges are more accurate bcuz they take string gage out of the equation but the regular radius gauge should be fine if it's all you have
I Thought , capo 1st fret, hold down 6th string at the last fret to check neck relief at 7th, 0.010". Check string action, remove capo, check action at the 17th fret of 4/64" on every stripng, no need for radius on a strat
When I saw the almost hour long time on video I thought, "wow, must be a bunch of wasted speech". I was so wrong! This guy makes the set up so clear and simple and his commitment to detail is appreciated!
I can't imagine a more thorough and comprehensible demonstration on setting up the Fender Squire Strat. Very well done sir!
Great, how to one thing you're a pro have you ever been a GT for some guitar player while touring with a band...RocknRollflat5
I bought a new Squier Strat ... and NOW i feel like i can make it as good as it can be. Thank you so much for your tutorial!
Quality content. I wasn't grasping the purpose of intonation until seeing this.
Thank you again. Just a tip for us newbies. I used my Fender headstock tuner to do this. Didn’t realize for a bit that when correcting intonation that I had to put the tuner into Chromatic mode.
Received my Kit and the nut file set today! I did setup my squier and I think I did well. Didnt have to use the nut file set. Thanks for this vid! I was watching back and forth while doing my setup! Saving up for the fret polishing set! Thanks Music Nomad!
Awesome to hear!
Have everything Music Nomad makes for guitars. Stew can KISS my foot. Thank you M N for making all the stuff you do, for REALISTIC prices.
Thank you for this video. I've learned a lot on how to properly setup my squier stratocaster in the right order. After discovering that the factory nut was set too low at 0.006 for low E instead of 0.010 and 0.004 for high E instead of 0.006. I'll be replacing the nut with a TUSQ XL. I can't wait to get started with setuping up the whole guitar and back to practicing. Love the information yall provided. This is game changer. THANKS
Hello. I understand that the measurements you provide are pressing the string between the second and third fret (the string rests on the second fret) and you take the measurement at the first fret. With all due respect, I consider that the measurements suggested by GraphTech leave the strings too high, so the measurements of your factory nut are perfect for me. The measurement method suggested by MusicNomad is different. With the curvature of the neck, the action of the strings and the radius of the strings correctly set, measure the distance of the strings from the first fret, with nothing pressed. The measurements you suggest are also perfect. Greetings.
You literally became my favorite channel with this wealth of knowledge. Thank you 🙏🏼
First, great tutorial. And a tip: I just set up a new Squier Debut Strat. It’s their new, least expensive line sold exclusively on Amazon. $119! The Debut was much better set up than the Affinity shown in this video.
That's why I'm here. Got the Debut.
You guys are brilliant, Thanks heaps for informative, and accurate information.
Very helpful and on everyone's understanding, you are a true craftsman!
I went through the set up after a restoration job and everything wet well. I followed the guidelines for the nut slot depth but everything was a little sharp on the first fret. I took one or two extra strokes and it fell into place. Thanks for the tips. Oh and your nut files worked great!
I did everything as you shown and works great, amazing how much better sound you get.
Awesome to hear that!
Have a video on Squier Affinity FMT telecaster ❓️
We do not have a Squire Affinity FMT Telecaster video. However, this Squier Strat video will work for you. The Affinity has 6 individual saddles and will follow the same flow process. Feel free to reach out to us at tech@musicnomad.com and we can discuss your instrument's specific needs. Thanks!
Thanks for this video and all the rest you do! I certainly learned a lot and don't need to look anywhere else for my information and Nomad for my gear!! I'm a new to playing guitar, Less than a year. I purchased a Zager 50CE African Mahogany Acoustic Electric and it's beautiful! (I figured if I get a top quality guitar, I'd stick with playing it and not give up) (I also bought a Fender Squier Strat too). One thing Denny Zager said.... if you play a guitar, you need to learn everything about it and learn how to change strings to begin and then be able to make all adjustments and repairs.
I brought all of my guitars to Geoff when I lived in his area. Not only is he a great tech and master luthier he's also a great person. You should check out his custom guitars as well. Awesome video Geoff and now I will learn to do this myself since I no longer live in you neck of the woods......hopefully.
Thank you so much for this video. My stratocaster has been out of tune and it was affecting my playing ability. Great demonstration.
Thanks Geoff... Really great information and well presented. I'll be tweaking my guitars over the weekend.
I have a classic vibe 50 strato and it sounds like a dream😊
Great video. Geoff has mentioned uneven frets/needing fret level and dress, on a couple of these videos. Any plans to do a video on fret leveling and dressing in the future?
Yes, for sure!
I know most of this but I picked up some very usable tips here, thank you for sharing this!!👍
Glad it was helpful!
The best guitar setup video, no question 'bout that! Thanks a lot!!! 😎
Fabulous..i cant play but i bought a beautiful Squier infinity..i now have a better understanding of the methods ..thank you .
From Australia
Thank you so much. Definitely saving this video for future setups.
Best set up vid I've seen yet 👍👍👍👍
Very nice demo of the kiss system. Next paycheck will be ordering this nomad setup and maintain kit. Thank You.
Learned alot! Saving up to buy the kit!
HEY!!! Phil Swift here, with the amazing Nomad stuff!
Great detail. Thx. I invested in some Music Nomad tools as a result.
7:22 how about where the truss rod on 22 or 24 fret not the truss rod on headstock? Which direction for loose or tight?
Whenever you use a wrench to adjust the truss rod to determine which way to turn it, approach the turn as if you were standing behind the wrench and staring at the nut. Take this same approach whether the truss rod nut is at the headstock or at the heel of the guitar. The approach would be to turn counterclockwise to loosen and add more relief into the neck and you would turn clockwise to tighten and have less relief in the neck.
Can you tell me the manufacturer of the red 6 drawer lockable mini chest that looks like it’s hung on the side of your black tool chest ? Great understandable setup video 👍🏻
I have a question. The tremolo springs tension should be adjusted with the strings in tune? Once we start working on the tremolo, the balance between strings tunning and the tremolo tension it's hard to get. If you know what i mean. Thanks
Hi Gustavo - yes, the guitar should be in tune when adjusting tremolo springs. We do know what you mean...it does take some back and forth between adjusting the tremolo string and tuning to dial it in.
@@MusicNomadCare Thank you
This was the best guitar setup Video I've seen !!! Excellent
Thank you for the informative video. I watched it especially to see if you have a solution for some issues I've had setting up my CV 50s Squier strat's action. I've tried to lower the action on this guitar to recommend values by Fender, Sweetwater, etc i.e about 1.2mm -1.6 mm at the 12th fret, but at those values there are many dead notes when bending at the high frets on the high E strins and a lot of buzz on the low E string, so it is impossible to play at those low actions. Even on the Squier manual itself they say that the Fender factory settings for the string heights at the 12th fret are : 0.098 inch (2.4892 mm) for the high E string and 0.12 inch (3.048 mm) for the low E string [These are even higher than Stevie Ray Vaughan's preferred actions), and that any problems caused by lowering the action will NOT be covered by Fender warranty. Also I've taken my Squier strat to some expert guitar techs but they all say that lowering the action of Squier strats to as low as 1.2 mm-1-5 mm will only cause dead notes and problems with SEVERE buzzes and bendings, so I had to accept a high action on this guitar. I'd appreciate your comments on this?
Thank you for reaching out to us! Can you email us at tech@musicnomad.com to discuss your instrument's specific setup with our tech team? Thank you.
Sure, will do. Many thanks.
Proper setting of bridge if I don't use the tremolo?
Tighten the spring tension so the bridge sits flat on the body then adjust string action.
Isnt the Tremolo adjusted first?
This is why making an investment in quality tools is worth the expense. You learn a skill while also saving money in the long run. I am very happy with the KISS tools and nut files. The G&L in the picture plays great thanks to these tools.
Shouldn't one relieve string tesion first, adjust the trust rod, then re re tune since the tension matters, and then remeasure?
I am thinking of buying a used Fender (Squire) Stratocaster but I need to ask a repair question of someone as knowledgeable as yourself.
The seller says, "the port where you plug in the cable unscrewed and fell loose inside"
Could you please speculate how big of a repair this is and what's involved?
Thank You
Thanks for reaching out. Can you email us at tech@musicnomad.com and we can discuss your instrument's specific needs? Thanks!
I’ve never seen someone fret the E strings at the 1st fret to take the string action measurement.
Can you explain why?
You use the pick capo to hold the E strings down at the first fret because the first fret is a fixed reference point for making the truss rod adjustment and string height adjustment. The measurements labeled on the gauges are based off the fixed-point reference of the first fret. Holding down the string at the first fret with the Pick Capo allows you to make an accurate adjustment following the KISS methods linear flow. In the flow you have not yet addressed your nut slot height which makes it a nonvalid reference point.
@@MusicNomadCare ok that makes sense.
Where should the saddle be when restring you're guitar
Best setup video that I've run into.
Wow thanks mate i have a fixer upper 🎸 it's been sitting round time to pull her out.🎸🙏👍 & Restore her . ❤
Does this apply to any Stratocaster like Yamaha Pacifica??
Yes, This will work well for setting up a Yamaha Pacifica.
Less than 30 days ago I got a DKMGT from 2003!! Scored it from this chick who didn't know what she had -possibly didn't care 🤷🏻♂️ lol because it was priced SO cheaply. Thankfully I saw it immediately after she posted it!
I've got 5 Jackson's now 🤦🏻♂️ lol
This is the 2nd Japanese one and is my new Fav!! other's are post Fender buying Jackson 🤬) I dig the afterburner and am actually getting GREAT sounds from the stock EMG HZ's
Awesome video brotha🤘🏻😆🤘🏻
Is the line6 pedal board string tuner reliable to perform the tuning process?
Any tuner can be used, even clip-on tuners. They may not be as precise as a strobe tuner, but they will work for the tuning process.
i don't use trem on my stratocaster so i screw tight to the body, is it ok or has effects when bending strings.
Hi, Can you reach out to us at tech@musicnomad.com, and we will be able to discuss your instrument's specific needs. Thanks!
Really well explained thak You!!
Great video but under string radius gauges are more accurate bcuz they take string gage out of the equation but the regular radius gauge should be fine if it's all you have
Excellent video!
What is the difference between nomad guitar one and nomad guitar wax? Both are have wax right?
Guitar One is an all in one cleaner, polish, wax for gloss finish guitars.
Guitar Wax does not contain cleaners or polish and is only wax.
@@MusicNomadCare So which better?, use both or just one
Awsome Work 🎶🟰🔝😇
I Thought , capo 1st fret, hold down 6th string at the last fret to check neck relief at 7th, 0.010".
Check string action, remove capo, check action at the 17th fret of 4/64" on every stripng, no need for radius on a strat
So that's how the pros do it. 👍👍👍
I have one I bought new for my Daughter been played twice been in gig bag 2006 .
If you want the whole shebang, take off strings, rock the frets, repair the frets, polish the frets. Then do rest of set up.
I ended up ruining my guitar because I didn't use the Music Nomad String Winder. 😟
Fret buzz sucks, i prefer higher action settings than lower with that annoying noise that probably affect sustain