How to Setup your Acoustic Guitar like a Pro - Full Tutorial

In this video you'll learn how to setup your acoustic guitar to get the most out of it in an easy and comprehensive way, using common tools that everybody have at home 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 guitar:

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

Relaxed and Smooth Funk (Gm) - Guitar Backing Track

Killer groove Funk (Em/Bm) - Guitar Backing Track

Guitar Backing Track - Rock power ballad Bm

Cool groovy Jazz Funk - Guitar Backing Track

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Greetings from Argentina!
Juan Pablo - Inspiring Tracks

[glenwardgross]

Best video I have seen on this. No one ever told me about setting up a guitar. I best this is why I suck and it is setting in the corner in the house. This amazing.

[aethervortex]

I owe you a debt of gratitude that I could never repay. For those among us who love the beauty of the sound of acoustic guitars your information here is invaluable. You have reduced the perfection of the physics of the guitar to a level achievable to the average aficionado. Great job, whoever you are!

[tyrotrainer]

A tip I learned online for bridge pins; loosen the string then push it back down, under the bridge. This takes tension off the pin and it lifts out without any help.

[gedleytighe]

Great work... and the 3D process bonus was interesting. Thanks.

[francoamerican]

After adjusting the string height at the nut It's advisable to sand the top of the nut so about 1/2 of the string diameter protrudes above the top of the nut. This prevents the strings from binding in the nut slot when tuning and when doing string bends.

[ericbarra]

Great job, great helpfull.. Thank you so much for giving up your time to share your knowledge with others, much appreciated. Saluti da Italy 👋

[paulgrasso]

Love love love …… I have burnt my eyes and wasted many minutes watching from so so to mediocre videos for acoustic set up. I am so glad I stumbled across yours and became a subscriber. I have been in possession of and older Takamine left to me by an old friend for many years. The nut was missing, and the bridge was lifted had a split and a sloppy attempt glue repair oh the saddle had been pulled forward and was stuck in that position. So, I found what looked like a direct replacement by the measurements. I learned how to remove the bridge with a little heat and sure enough it had been originally glued to the lacquer. I also ordered a bone saddle and nut. Well, the pin holes were off, so I filled with a wood epoxy and plan to redrill … not there yet. I think what I have learned here will be a big help moving forward. Thanks, if all goes well, I will send an update lol.

[pism-hibq]

Ciao, i am writing from Italy. Thanks a lot for such easily understandable explaination. I try this afternoon and i will keep you updated!!!

[robwilson]

Only one thing I would do differently is check string action before adjusting nut height. It’s a lot easier to replace a saddle if filed too low than having to replace the nut because of open string fret buzz.

[milfordmattox]

really enjoyed the tutorial, clear accurate and precise, plus good camera work.Well done Son.

[jcarstmusic]

I might try my own setup on an acoustic for the first time strictly based on this video. Excellent work my friend. Thank you so much for your knowledge and video skills.

[heitornolla]

You've got one of the best channels out here man, you deserve way more. I really wanna give you money for this, no kidding. How can I do it?

[RobertMoore-ev]

Very interesting and informative. Many thanks for giving up your time to share your knowledge with others, much appreciated.

[chucks]

Excellent video and tutorial. The best I have seen on this subject. The addition of the captions is extremely valuable as well. Too bad the 3D Printer concept didn't work out as those devices can produce some amazing results. Thanks much for doing this.

[Maxreverse]

Excellent video. I’m working on a 1963 Gibson LG 0 and your instruction helped immensely.

[brandonmusich]

Great Video! This actually helped me a ton! The only comment I have is that if you sand down your saddle by 1.5mm (as an example only) the strings lower by 1.5mm. Not sure where the idea of it only lowers it by 1/2 of what you sand down came from but just wanted to let someone know that so that you aren't afraid to remove what is needed. Initially I measured my 6th string at 3.5mm at the 12th fret and then my 1st string at 3.25mm at the 12th fret. My target was 2mm at the 6th and 1.75 at the 1st string so I needed to shave off 1.5mm from the saddle to get to where I needed to be. I sanded off 1.5mm and my action was PERFECT at 2mm and 1.75mm respectively! Just follow the steps of this AWESOME video and you will be successful!

[CommonKiertisy]

Best setup video out there by far. Straight to the point, shows what to look for, and how to actually set the guitar up.

[garybeckwithmusic]

this is great. i've been playing guitar for decades and my acoustics get out of whack all the time and I can't afford to go running to the luthier every time i need an adjustment. I wanted to learn how to set up my guitar on my own and I am following this video as a guide. so far so good. I knew something wasn't right, and the video helped me determine the saddle is way too high. i'm going to sand it down tonight and see how it goes!

[johnlindsaygreen]

I like the Black Smith 80/20 Bronze Extra Light 10/47 strings that you showed. Currently, the strings that I have on my acoustic guitar are way to heavy of a gauge and causing me to apply way too much finger pressure. Thanks for sharing great setup video. I appreciate you.

[ministryinsong]

Thank you for your hard work on this video. Very helpful and much appreciated.