How to do a guitar set up.

Can you make a pdf version of your guitar setup checklist?

Searching for stuff you haven't uploaded yet...Bingo!

Do you do this for every customer, I but you fees are high .

Good breakdown, and I am sure you also check how the pickups sound when you set the heights you also check to see if the guitar buzzes or hums improperly like if it is grounded poorly, then fix that as well. These days, it is not uncommon to get a buzz/hum when not touching any metal parts, then have the hum stop when you touch a bridge, strings or other metal part on the guitar. Sure sign of a bad ground, poorly shielded cavities, etc.

Where’s the pdf for the checklist?

Shouldn't you check string height with the guitar in the playing position?

Phillip, please leave a PDF of that sheet...

Very helpful.Any one know where I can get a file with that “patient sheet” ?

Anyone needing a setup in the Chagrin Falls, Ohio area call Auburn Guitar @ 216-789-9299.
We do everything from light setups, new strings, neck adjustment, electronics cleaning, string radius adjustments, lubing contact points, intonation, polish and wax and action adjustment for $40 to full set ups with full fret levels for $150. Hours 9-5 everyday.

I use a similar form in my shop. Too many shops do setups without any input from the customer. I want to know exactly what they are looking for. Low action? High action? Factory specs? I do a once over in front of the customer so if I find something wrong, like high frets, I can show them what it is instead of calling them and telling them. That way they trust I'm not just trying to upsell them on something they don't need. While I do this we go over what issues they have and exactly what they are looking for. I also notate any damage so we are both on the same page when it Is returned. I offer many different set up levels at different price points, from simple string changes ( you would not believe how many people just want new strings put on ) light set ups like new strings, lubing contact points, fretboard treatment, electronics cleaning, intonation, polish and wax and neck adjustment to the works including full fret levels.
It may be bad for business, but I believe every guitar player should learn most of this stuff themselves. I have no problem if someone wants to come back and watch what I do so they can learn. I find they use their new skills in between bringing their guitars back to me still. Just remember, when getting instructions with your setup, tipping is a nice gesture for the info. Just sayin'!

I wish that I could seriously ship you a guitar and have you work on it. I would pay what ever

Where can I download this guitar checklist ?

I doubt it was a whole two minutes before I realized I need to have my guitar set up by a professional. But it’s worth watching the whole video to understand all I’m getting for what, in my prior ignorance, I thought was some pretty basic DIY love.

It is a wonderful turorial. - But you should use a fountain pen instead of a Bleistift. - Keesmann Cheers from B.

Philip may I get a copy of your set up/work sheet?

Wow- very thorough. What store is this?

Informative for sure but no work shown. Not exactly what I was looking for. More or less watching the work done. Visual learner lol.

I wish I could get all my guitars set up by you personally man, you do such a great job and clearly know what you're talking about. Please open up a shop in the UK haha.

makes me wish I had someone as thorough anywhere near me. I learned to do some simple tweaks and have had to fix almost all the setups ive ever gotten

I know how to make check marks with a pencil.  How about showing how to adjust the action?

🎸~ Thanks Phillip !! ~👍👍
I learned much from just this one vid.
😆🤘

nice vid phil. I really wonder if this much work actually goes into a set up where I have taken my guitars. I somehow doubt it. Wish you were here in NYC. Thanks

Phil, Your videos are brilliant and have given me the confidence to check and set-up myself the numerous guitars in my life... Thank you!

Damn Phil I wish I lived in ur area, u actually care about the guitars if I take my guitar to techs I have around my area they will just spit on the fingerboard and rub it with a rag and charge $300

Mr McKnight would it be possible, or have you already, posted your guitar setup check list online so your subscribers could have access to the check list? If not, would you possibly consider posting it? Perhaps pdf? The checklist seems an excellent way to navigate through a setup. Thank you sir.

Im not sure if you will see this, anyone feel free to answer. Does a setup in general include buffing down any uneven frets? I noticed on your paper it says "determine if there are any high frets", but nothing about fixing them. Im guessing that is extra (again in general)

You want that tele sound , stick with nines

How much should you expect to pay for a service like this. My guitar is kinda out of wack after I tried to make some adjustments. I'v been putting off a professional set up for years..

Hi Phillip I'd love to see you do a full revel of frets and recrown etc. Love your vids and how you present info.
Preferably, on a slight problem guitar neck and offer different ways to support the neck and challenges people can have even when you think the frets have been leveled but the guitar still seems to buzz, especially on the bass strings.
Is that a possibility?
You da man

Hey bud where can we find the link for your checklist. Love that idea! Thanks

I would love to know the average cost for you guys on this kind of service. Around here this would be $75 for a QUARTER of the work.

Great check list video....from the title i thought it was going to show us How to do a set up......like your video..just a little miss leading

Better than new???

great checklist Phillip! Although im suprised theres no check for neck straightness, or truss rod adjustments (if need be). I do all my own setups, and usually one of the first things i do is check the neck relief and to make sure the truss rod is working correctly. My theory is if the truss rod doesn't function as it should, then the rest of the stuff would be a waste of time lol

I have a new 2018 Fender Telecaster Players series guitar. I understand fret buzzing, but what is causing string rattling? I increased the relief of the neck, raised strings to 4/64, and I still get rattle sound on E-A-D strings. What do you suggest?

Hey Phil QQ is that common for edge trems to have issues with high e's? Never had that on a floyd is there something about ibanez trem that makes em like so?

WOW! this is so impressivley comprehensive nothing is overlooked.

Hi Phil, years ago i brought my Stratocoustic in your shop for set up, you mentioned you set it up same as yours, wndring what string group was used, so i can replace my dull strings (cant find the paper works anymore). thank you in advance

Can you recommend a bridge? I have the tuneomatic type and it works perfectly, but I'm looking to change it, basically the lowest saddle height is higher than I want my action, I'm not sure if the neck through construction is creating a lower fingerboard but I want to bring it down 1 or 2mm and it's just not possible with the current bridge!

A great video to help me to convey what I need checked to my local tech, thanks!

Really? 1.25mm on the low e 12th? I have a brand new fender pro tele and thats 1.9mm at the 12th (low e). Is my action too high. I play quite aggresive and like a loose feel btw.

Phil you are awesome man!! Thanks for sharing this!

Can you tell us what you typically charge for something like this? I find that all of the local luthiers where I'm at do the "$25 setup," and I've always known they don't do this kind of work for that. I've often told them "I don't want the $25 setup, I want it done right" haha - but I don't think they even know what that is. I have a feeling the "$25 setup" is changing the strings and turning the truss rod arbitrarily :D

You offer a great service, I wish there was a shop near me that offered anything close. Thanks for the great video, it's a great help for me to use to know my gear.

dude, where'd you get that cool ass charvel shirt. gotta git me one!

Great vid, but call it a Checklist for setup

when is a setup neccesary?

i bought an rg from a pawn shop and the high e keeps breaking. i think its the nut. in addition, the action is a little high. also, what is a good action for metal?

Where do you get your nut lubricant and what is it called?