Jefferson One's Strat Setup Guide

[mkorsmo]

jefferson_one (a longtime JamPlay member and cool python tolex Fender Deluxe amp owner) put together a GREAT Strat setup guide on YouTube taking you from soup to nuts (including string height/action adjustments)

It's a 9 part series...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=di3Te...eature=related Introduction
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_rH9...eature=related Removing the strings
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDE9o...eature=related Cleaning & Restringing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWAY1...eature=related String Tuning & Stretching
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umPF9...eature=related Tremolo Bridge Option
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woGIv...eature=related Truss Rod Adjustment
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_S5vz...eature=related String Action
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RLRW...eature=related Pickup Height
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LczQJ...eature=related String Intonation

Be sure to check out his Setup Guide

Big props to Jeff.

[flyrer]

The most informative series I've seen, very helpful. Thanks again Jeff and Matt for reposting it. Russ

[jefferson_one]

Hey, that's cool! Thanks for the props, Matt : ) That series keeps my inbox quite busy - lolol

[davem_or]

That was really a good set of lessons. I don't have an electric guitar yet but I see one in my near future.

There seems to be quite a bit more work to maintaining an electric guitar than an acoustic. Do you go through all those steps every time you change the strings? Is maintaining intonation a big problem? It seems like once you set it there shouldn't be any changes if you keep using the same brand/size strings.

Thanks again, those were good, clear instructions.

Dave

[jefferson_one]

That was really a good set of lessons. I don't have an electric guitar yet but I see one in my near future.

There seems to be quite a bit more work to maintaining an electric guitar than an acoustic. Do you go through all those steps every time you change the strings? Is maintaining intonation a big problem? It seems like once you set it there shouldn't be any changes if you keep using the same brand/size strings.

Thanks again, those were good, clear instructions.

Dave

Hey Dave ... thanks for checking these videos out! There are quite a few types of bridges out there on different guitars, but a Fender type bridge is one that I demonstrated and its not that difficult to maintain.

Pretty much, every time I change strings I do go through those steps - but I have a toolbox with strings, rags, polished, 3-in-one oil, etc ... so it's pretty handy.

I'll de-tune, cut the strings in the middle around the 8th fret, discard those & give the neck a minor cleaning & maybe wax the body every third string change - I'll use a q-tip with 3-in-one oil to lube/protect the steel saddles while I have the strings off. Then I'll restring, and most definitely - stretch those strings but not over-stretch them.

That all doesn't take too long then I will tune up & get the 6 inch ruler and the feeler gauge out and check some numbers. Usually everything is just fine so that's not a big deal either (once it is set up good).

Intonation falls right in place -- I sometimes will re-check the saddle positions based on the scale length of the guitar, but after the strings are stretched good the intonation also is a breeze. Then just give it a day to settle back in ... staying with the same gauge strings, nothing is messed up really so I can get this all done in maybe 40 minutes.

There are thousands of people out there just starting out or first time checking their guitars, anyway -- most reply back saying they were able to do it and it sounds & plays better than it ever has when they paid a shop. It may be a bit of self-satisfaction too ; ) I guess I average about 60 emails per day on these setup videos -- within 5 days and being slow sometimes to get online, I can have a couple hundred emails waiting ... but I love the feedback from hearing someone new has learned to take care of their baby!

Gibson & Fender, for example, are not that bad to set up ... a lot of young guys think they want a Floyd Rose equipped guitar until they learn what a pain that is and the costs of maintenance! Otherwise, its no trouble to keep things checked out.

[avjunkie]

Thanks for the great setup guide Jefferson One. I just bought my first guitar (Squier Affinity Strat) and am wondering if this is something that you'd recommend for a noobie like myself? I'm a bit leary of jumping in and doing it in fear that I might mess something up.

[mrscaryz]

jefferson_one (a longtime JamPlay member and cool python tolex Fender Deluxe amp owner) put together a GREAT Strat setup guide on YouTube taking you from soup to nuts (including string height/action adjustments)

It's a 9 part series...

Fender Stratocaster Setup Part 1 of 9: Introduction - YouTube Introduction
Fender Stratocaster Setup Part 2 of 9: String Removal - YouTube Removing the strings
Fender Stratocaster Setup Part 3 of 9: Cleaning & Restringing - YouTube Cleaning & Restringing
Fender Stratocaster Setup Part 4 of 9: String Tuning & Stretching - YouTube String Tuning & Stretching
Fender Stratocaster Setup Part 5 of 9: Tremolo Bridge Options - YouTube Tremolo Bridge Option
Fender Stratocaster Setup Part 6 of 9: Truss Rod Adjustment - YouTube Truss Rod Adjustment
Fender Stratocaster Setup Part 7 of 9: String Action - YouTube String Action
Fender Stratocaster Setup Part 8 of 9: Pickup Height - YouTube Pickup Height
Fender Stratocaster Setup Part 9 of 9: String Intonation - YouTube String Intonation

Be sure to check out his Setup Guide

Big props to Jeff.

This is a great guide we need to make one for the Telecaster hmmmm. I don't think I am qualified yet.. still figuring it out..

[landutd]

Thanks jefferson_one for creating these lessons....... I used them to change my strings for the first time. I figured that if I can work on my own motorcycle, I ought to be able to handle changing strings. Your videos were GREAT!!!!!

Tim

[shaneurbas]

Will these guides work on other guitars as well? I recently picked up an Epiphone Prophecy SG EX that i want to setup myself for the first time and i dont really wanna screw it up. Ive took my guitars to techs before but i want to learn how to do this correctly myself. Any tips?

[denswon]

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Will these guides work on other guitars as well? I recently picked up an Epiphone Prophecy SG EX that i want to setup myself for the first time and i dont really wanna screw it up. Ive took my guitars to techs before but i want to learn how to do this correctly myself. Any tips?

I think that you will find that the principles are the same, the details may vary. You should be able to find an eipiphone user manual for your guitar that gives details on adjustments. Take your time, try to understand what the adjutments do. For me working on my guitars is enjoyable and I get it setup the way I want!