Petrucci Guitar Tech REVEALS Setup | Guitar Tech Tips | Ep. 47 | Thomann

John Petrucci's guitar tech, Maddi explains us how John likes his guitars set up.
This is an in-depth setup video with all the infos you need and some cool stories on top.
Grab your guitar, some tools and a coffee and enjoy the video!

Interesting bits and pieces:
0:00 Introduction
1:26 First thing about guitar setups
2:51 How long does Maddi work for Dream Theater
3:28 Let's change the strings | Which gauge?
7:05 How Maddi cleans the guitar
8:47 STORY | Dream Theater is in the studio
9:18 How to put on the new strings
13:53 String stretching
16:31 STORY | Some players like their guitars dirty
18:27 STORY | Liquid Tension Experiment in the studio
19:49 The guitar setup: tune and stretch again
22:11 Setup: check the bridge
22:33 John's string action and neck relief preference
26:53 Truss rod adjustment
32:18 Slight bridge saddle adjustment
33:05 John's guitars are like Formula 1 cars
36:18 Intonation setup
39:35 Bridge balance setup
42:09 How often do you change strings
43:57 It's time for a test ride
44:39 Who's guitar tech do you want to see next?

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[dstrats]

Thank you for posting this. It was comforting to hear Maddy say, JP likes his action low and it will buzz a little. As a tech who works at a guitar shop, the paranoia over “buzz” is remarkable. And I always say to my customers, “if you want low action, there will be a slight buzz, depending on the quality of the fretboard (straightness) and frets (same height), makes or breaks low action”. But in reply I get, “I want no buzz”. Lol Aw Anyway, I so hope many heard this. It’s an important message for those embarking on the journey of being a guitarist.

[Optimoe]

Maddi is a legend, so is Kris. They both know so much about guitars. I've learned a lot. Did the process on my majesty, it feels even better.

[davidepannone]

Probably the first time ever i've seen maddi chuckling/smiling/laughing.

[DVTOM]

I was fortunate to be able to be a part of Ibanez and John's old Ibanez tech offered to set my JPM up to John's specs....OMG It plays amazingly!

[Gorbyrev]

So cool. We were chanting "Maddi!" before the Glasgow DT show last year. How many guitar techs get that!

[hoosierdaddy]

These videos are cool. Love them. Thanks.
I tune and strech the hell out of the strings until they stay in tune, THEN Adjust the truss rod if needed where the neck is almost straight, but there is just a few thousands relief. You're not moving the string that much picking it.
Then I check tuning again, and then adjust again if needed, then adjust intonation if needed. Then check everything one past time. If using a floyd I block it, get it in tune and then adjust springs using tjner to get to 440 A bad the block comes right out. Then check truss rod and tune again, erc, until it's good, then check intonation. Then I'm done! I've done it so mucu I can really do it quickly. Been playing over 40 years.
Thanks again. Great videos. .

[boomerbassmeme]

Awesome interview and tips! Well done Kris! 😎👍

[endezeichengrimm]

22:58 That little bit of fret buzz. That is the question I had for YEARS!. Thanks for finally answering that directly.

And it was good that they gave the Metric measurements.

[audionutmike]

LOL I just sat down to change strings on my Majesty and here this gem is!

[jeremyroberthickey]

What gets me is his action: 1.25mm on low B and 1mm on all other strings? Petrucci's touch and accuracy is insane. So much respect 🤘
This is such a cool video! I love tech talk.

[CompleteProducer]

This is the best video on YouTube (for me). I have been DYING to know JP's action height. As soon as Maddi mentioned 40 thousands of an inch, I bought the Dunlop action tool he has. It arrived today, and I lowered my action to 40 thousandths on the Majesty. I managed to get it without too much fret buzz, and I am tearing up the neck like I never have in my life!

[canadiancombatwombattherd]

This video is honesty a god send, I can now save the $100 on setups and do it myself. Also for people finding Johns 1 mil action to be too low, try a 1.25 height. I've found and most definitely for extended range stuff, a 1.25 mil action is still fast but abit easier to catch a note on the fret board while also keeping enough clearance for the low strings to really rumble with minimal buzz.

[skeletonbow]

The way the 2 cameras are stacked on the right makes it look like Maddi has really short arms if you mentally join the videos together, it's pretty funny LOL Great video, love seeing this kind of content from the pros like Maddi on maintenance and tech etc.!

[cheeneedejesus]

Maddi is just inspiring... He knows that being a guitar tech is not just a work, but an artform.

[rion]

Oh my gosh!! Thanks to both of you!! I purchased the JP 20th anniversary several months ago. The setup was so far off. My preferred luthier is so backed up I've just dealt with it. I had no idea what to do until this video. The intonation was off, but the bridge was so jacked up you couldn't get to the adjustment screws. I'm kind of surprised it came from the factory like that. Maybe the store did it. I don't know for sure. I was afraid to touch it. I've always been a bit shy about adjusting guitars. Figured I would break something. Until now that is. This video was a class with a master! I now have the confidence to do things. "Level the bridge to the plane of the body" I'm now in tune. THANK YOU!! I can't run to the store every time the seasons change my set up or I experiment with different strings, or I just need a tweak. Now I never will have too again!! I can tell the skill set will take a while to get proficient. But the journey has begun. Can't thank you enough.

[CesaTiroCesa]

This should be the only thing we allow aliens to see... so they believe we’re superior

[Bkingstring]

Awesome, good to know I've been setting up my guitars like a pro tech for the last 25 years. I thank my highschool music teacher for teaching me the right way from the start.

[filipkaczmar]

This is worth it’s weight in gold! Thank you Maddi, thanks to Kris and Thomann’s Guitars and Basses!

[louislemoine_magicman]

kris…thank you so much for producing this episode. i just purchased a jp60 (stealth black version) and attempted to do a complete setup, something that i have never ever done before, by following every detail that matti went thru. i am actually proud of myself as i believe that it it actually as great as it can be. i love this guitar. i am 69 and always willing to learn something new.
matti is amazing as well as you chris.
keep up the awesome job.

[nickx]

I really enjoy nerding out over how different artists prefer their guitars setup. As well there are some really good tips!

I hope we keep getting more of these!