How to setup your Stratocaster like a Pro - Full tutorial

In this video you'll learn how to setup your loved Strat to get the most out of it in an easy and comprehensive way, using common tools that everybody have at home (great for this isolation times) and with professional results. Enjoy!

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*Disclaimer: All the actions shown in this video are 100% safe for you and your guitar and are supported by years of experience doing this kind of works. Having said that, if you aren't familiarized with the use of basic hand tools like screwdrivers and pliers or don't feel comfortable messing around with your instruments, take your guitar to a reputable and trusty luthier to do it for you. Be safe!
Hope you enjoy the video!!!!!

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Useful products to setup and care your Strat:

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All backing tracks of the video - in order of appearance:

Texas Style Blues in E - Guitar backing track

Quarantine special - Epic Emotional Modern Guitar Backing Track (F)

Killer groove Funk (Em) - Guitar backing track

Cool grooy Jazz Funk - Guitar backing track

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Greetings from Argentina!
Juan Pablo - Inspiring Tracks

[InspiringTracks]

Please take note that some adjustments (mainly neck relief and intonation) are more accurate if performed with the guitar in playing position rather than laying on a bench due to some potential neck bending produced by gravity. In practice this is infinitesimal and I've seen countless reputable luthiers setting up guitars on a bench with perfect results but, if you want the maximum precision possible, thats the way to go.

[UndeadBoogie]

Came here to set up my tremolo. Ended up just soloing over the tasty background music.

[nickgross]

I consider myself as an intermediate guitarist (playing as a hobby these days) and had never attempted a setup nor had i ever made many adjustments on my guitars over the years.

It’s always great to see tutorials on how to play a particular lick, and most of us probably value those videos the most. However, for me, this particular video is arguably the most valuable guitar video I have ever seen.

Using this video as a guide, I set up my 2009 American Strat last night for the first time. It always sounded great but now it’s like I’m playing at a whole new level! Intonation is spot on, the action seems to be said just right…. My first attempt at a set up has made me sound way better than I actually am. Thank you!!

[nihlhinz]

Do not underestimate nut lube. In my 50 plus years of experience, Ive see to many dried nuts. Keep safe and keep your nuts properly lubricated, friction is your enemy my friends.

[quisquillatv]

So many videos about setting a strat from so many reputable fonts, and none comes closer to be as clear and informative as this one. Thx a lot.

[stewartjennison]

Content: A! Video production: A+! An artful reminder of all the engineering genius Leo Fender put into a reasonably priced instrument 60+ years ago. (Proud to share a birth date with him!)

[feesh]

There are three things that stick out to me in this video: 1, David Gilmour-ish Strat, very nice, 2, actual Mauser branded Calipers, and 3, how much help this is for anyone wanting to set up a Strat. Keep up the good work.

[davewilliams]

The quality of the information and production on this video is awesome, it deserves a million views. Thanks a lot for your hard work!

[TripleD]

This is by far, the BEST STRAT SETUP video EVER!!!! Thank you for making this video!

[SJCS_]

I just brought a second hand cheapy strat copy and used this video to set it up and it's transformed how it sounds and feels. Thanks for a great tutorial!!

Just one thing I noticed: when you're adjusting the string height (the action), if you need to raise the strings (especially the top E and B) instead of lower them as in this video, then you need to detune before doing so or you'll risk snapping your string - as I did!
🎸🎸🎸

[allmendoubt]

1.2o - 1.5o mm pick if you don't have a cable tie. Bought a Strat this month, perfect intonation and action - more buzz than a hive. So far trussed looser 2 quarter turns, action riding high. Have to wait until next weekend...this is no easy task, much appreciated.

[duroxkilo]

thanks for the tutorial.. be safe everyone, have fun when possible.

just saw a video regarding pick-up height and i learned 2 things:

firstly, ALWAYS lower the pick-ups before setting up the intonation because the thick strings can be influenced by the magnetic attraction (saw it happen) especially by the neck pick-up as it is located closer the the point where the string has the biggest amplitude/swing/movement. some pick-ups have quite strong magnets..

secondly, there is a point where one can clearly hear a volume fluctuation when the pick-ups are too close to the strings (again, the effect is more pronounced the thicker the string).. so regardless of the measurement you use, have a listen with a clean tone and decent volume. if you've never heard how it sounds, just raise the pick-up close to lower E and listen.... the volume goes up and down substantially..

[peterburi]

One observation I would like to make is when Fender and others decided to drop split shaft tuners the need for locking tuners was created. I started playing guitar in 1963 and every guitar I had were equipped with the split shafts. Since I was not a heavy whammy bar user I never had problems with tuning stability, especially my Telecasters. I have retrofitted my current Fenders with the split shafts and never looked back. Broken strings at gigs, no problem. A string cutter, 90 degree bend and a clip, shove it into the slot...done.

[nedstar]

The best setup I find on the internet, you show a lot and great information without spoken words, well done and thanks very much for sharing. This made my day and and I enjoyed it!!!

[MrBigjameson]

Thanks for the easy to follow video. I done my own set up today for the first time with this :)

Here are some notes I took that might be helpful to others,

My fender strat had a recommended neck relief of .25 rather than .3. The guideline differs between the fretboard radius sizes. Google search fender strat neck relief to get the article. I dropped it down to .25 after having it set at .30 and I was able to get a lower action with much less buzzing.

There is a feeler gauge set on thomann for under a tenner that I used. Getting a cheap guitar multi tool is also handy. I didn't have a tiny screwdriver or the tiny alan keys for the saddle height before I got one.

Measuring 1.6mm with a ruler is not easy. Better to just keep raising the saddle till it stops buzzing like the guy suggests in the video.

Taking breaks helps. It's a stressful job your first time. I'm glad I did it though. My new strat sounds and feels much better.

[TyrannicalCannibal]

DUUUUDE this vid and the one for gibsons/epi’s are EXACTLY what i’ve been looking for. Finally there’s everything you need to know about setting up a guitar in one super straight forward video. My strat is gonna sound like a million bucks very soon. THANK YOU!!

[Doggymandus]

Best setup video there is on the Internet, followed it from start to finish. My Strat has never played this good since I bought it 4 years ago. Thank you so much!!

[Terribleguitarist]

I've been a strat player for 19 years and doing my own setups... definitely some killer tips I've never thought about in here. Bonus points for the black on black maple neck, I have two like that.

[eazai]

I bought a MIM Strat about three weeks ago. It would NOT stay in tune for anything. Finished this video, and literally said out loud to absolutely noone, "This video is #$@#^# GOLD!". Thanks so much man. My trem feels great too.

[morrisgentry]

The absolute best strat setup tutorial I have seen. I enjoy finding “rescue” guitars at thrift stores and making them playable. Strat setups are challenging to me because of the trem. This video is very helpful to me. Loved the music at the end, too.