Guitar Setup & Maintenance

Denny Rauen is a nationally-acclaimed master luthier whose clientele includes many top musicians and collectors from around the world. Spend some time with Denny and learn how to setup your Guitar just right as well as make modifications and customizations!

Introduction
Introduction (01:12) - Denny shares a little about himself and his musical background before playing a little lick.
Acoustic Guitar
Acoustic Guitar - Getting Started (04:28) - Denny takes a look at the tools we'll need to set up an acoustic guitar. Denny will be working on a 'Guild Dreadnaught' as we restring and tune the guitar.
Truss Rod Adjustment (06:31) - Denny takes a deep look at the neck and shows how to adjust the truss rod.
Adjusting the Action (07:39) - Denny adjusts the action and gets things sounding great for open tunings. After we set it up we re-string the guitar and tune it to pitch.
Adjusting the Nut Height (06:22) - Denny files down the nut to get the strings properly positioned.
Electric Guitar
Electric Guitar: Getting Started (03:11) - Denny explains the tools we'll need to adjust an electric guitar properly. He then demonstrates how to quickly wind up a string and how to keep it in tune.
Setting Up The Bridge (04:34) - Denny examines the bridge on the "Strat" style guitar and then set up the Tremolo or the "Whammy Bar". We then tune the guitar to pitch.
Adjusting the Truss Rod (03:51) - Denny checks the "Zones" of the guitar's neck and start measuring and inspecting the neck position. You will learn how to loosen the truss rod and use the "Capo" for some adjustments.
Checking the Nut Height (05:17) - We take a look at the stings and how they sit on the neck before filing down the nut and removing the "Buzzing" sounds.
The Tremolo Angle (01:12) - Denny examines the back of the guitar and sets up the "Tremolo Angle" before tuning things back to pitch.
Adjusting the Pickups (01:57) - Denny takes a look at the height of the pickups with our ruler. He creates the right gaps for a good sounding and performing guitar.
Jazz Guitar
Setup (02:42) - Denny begins by discussing the tools we'll need for a "Jazz Guitar". He then shows us how to install a string before taking a close look at how to tie off your guitar string and quickly get into tune.
Truss Rod Adjustment (02:39) - Denny removes the Truss Rod Cover and works with the 18" straight edge to check the neck for bows or gaps. He then lists off some things to watch out for, like over tightening.
Adjusting the Action (02:30) - In this video you'll learn how to adjust the action on your Jazz Guitar while paying close attention to the frets and string placement.
Setting the Bridge Height (01:03) - Denny adjusts the nut width by filing it down and re-sitting the string in the groove. You will also learn how to use our own fingers to inspect the tension of the strings and make your own judgements on what to do.
Finishing the Project (08:24) - Denny files the nut height down before tuning the guitar to pitch and checking the action on the guitar one last time. As Denny has adjusted several of the moving parts on the guitar, things are going to need re-adjusting, so Denny adjust the small screws on the top of the pickup, changing the sound or "meat" of the string. Finally, Denny checks every fret of the guitar and inspects the sounds they make before playing the guitar and making sure everything is in tune.
Slide Guitar
Slide Guitar Setup (03:42) - Denny begins with a list of the tools we'll need for the Slide Guitar. He then shows us why a guitar that's set up for normal play will probably not work for slide guitar. Denny also loosens the truss rod a bit and checks all the Zones on the frets before adjusting the Truss Rod.
Adjusting Saddles (03:23) - Denny takes the 6" ruler to the strings and saddle to see where the guitar is at and raises up the strings so they are more even, so the slide can evenly sit on the strings.
Re-String & Check Nut Height (09:13) - Denny first tunes the guitar and inspects how the strings are sitting on the frets before removing the nut. Which is a rather tricky procedure that involves a hammer and a few other tools. We see Denny throw on some new strings and tunes it back up before one last test run.
Floyd Rose
Floyd Rose: Setup (04:13) - Denny takes a look at all the tools we'll need for a guitar with a "Floating Tremolo" with a Locking Nut. The guitar we'll check out is a Kramer Baretta. Denny shows us how to oil up the Tremolo and scrapes off the finish from the nut. This helps clean up the sound as these parts get dirty from everyday use.
Installing a String (06:13) - Denny shows us how to install a string "Backwards" to help prevent guitars like this from detuning after a string breaks. He then tunes things up and gets things sounding good.
Adjusting the Springs (02:15) - Denny adjusts the springs so the bridge is parallel with the body. After getting the springs set, he re-tunes the guitar to pitch.
Adjusting the Bridge (05:42) - Denny uses the allen wrench to adjust the height of the strings, and shows us some custom "Shims" and installs one under a saddle.
Adjusting Nut Height (09:37) - Denny checks the nut height for the guitar and loosens the set screws in the back of the head stock so he can place a shim under the nut. He then stretches out the strings a bit before fine tuning the guitar.
Truss Rod Adjustments
Electric Guitar (04:36) - Denny discusses what tools we will need to adjust the truss rod. Starting with a "Tele-Style Truss Rod", he removes the neckplate, completely removes the neck and adjusts the truss rod.
Strat Style Truss Rod Adjustment (01:27) - Denny switches up the guitars to show us some different things we should watch out for when adjusting Trussn Rods. He uses the 1/8th Allen Wrench and some WD-40 to loosen up the Truss Rod.
Acoustic Guitar (02:05) - Denny shows us a few different acoustic guitars and how to adjust their Truss Rods. Some acoustic guitars are adjusted from inside the sound hole and others from the headstock.
Credits
Credits (00:59) - Denny shares a few last words and signs off with some acoustic guitar while the credits roll.