Electric Guitar Pickup Replacement

Tech Talk, Electric Guitars, Electronics, Installations & Upgrades /

Pickup replacements are a popular way for guitarists to personalize their instruments. Swapping out the stock pickups in an inexpensive guitar is often a huge tonal improvement no matter what model of replacement you chose.

While pickup installation may seem as simple as removing and replacing a few wires, there is more to a clean, reliable, installation than meets the eye. Specialized tools and ample experience are required to achieve a dependable outcome.

Electric Guitar Pickup Replacement Read More »

Acoustic Guitar Neck Resets – Hybrid Neck Joints

Tech Talk, Acoustic Guitar, Neck Resetting /

Oftentimes, action adjustments can be made via the instrument’s truss rod and saddle. This process is commonly called a setup. However, proper setup is only possible within a limited range. If the geometry of the instrument is not within certain specs, proper setup will not be possible. Given the substantial demands placed upon it, it is not surprising that, sooner or later, even the finest instruments will require a more substantial overhaul. Often, this will involve a neck reset. A neck reset is the process of readjusting the angle at which the neck is joined to the body.

Traditionally, an acoustic guitar neck is attached to the body using a glued joint called a “dovetail”. While strong and reliable, these types of joints require a substantial effort to separate and reassemble once required. As a result, neck resets on dovetail style neck joints require an experienced hand and carry a considerable price tag. Since most acoustic guitars will require a neck reset at least once over their lifespan, many manufacturers have sought to redesign their neck joints in a variety of ways with the goal of making assembly and neck resets less labor intensive and more cost efficient to perform.

Acoustic Guitar Neck Resets – Hybrid Neck Joints Read More »

Guitar Headstock Decal Replacement

Tech Talk, Finishing and Aesthetics, Taylor Guitars /

In guitar parlance, the terms “headplate” refers to an area of the headstock, the part of the instrument that typically holds the tuning keys, that is facing outward when the instrument is held in the playing position. It is traditionally the spot where an instrument maker places their mark to let audiences know who made the instrument that they are hearing!…

A simple method of applying a makers mark to an instrument is via a decal. While there are a few different methods of application, these are all essentially stickers that are affixed to the instrument. Often a protective finish will be applied over the decal to prevent damage. While they can still be quite stylish, compared to inlay, decals are much quicker and easier to install. They are perhaps most commonly associated with electric guitars in the Fender style, but decals can be seen on countless brands including some Taylor and Martin guitars.

Guitar Headstock Decal Replacement Read More »

Electric Guitar String Ground

Tech Talk, Electric Guitars, Electronics /

Potential sources of EMI are all around us: cell phones, radios, computers, and fluorescent lights are just a handful of common sources. To compound the issue, the human body is a natural antenna for electromagnetic interference.

To eliminate the EMI that a player inherently adds to the signal, a wire is attached in such a way as to connect the guitar strings to the instrument’s electronic ground.

While the player touches the strings, this wire effectively cancels out the noise that a players body adds to the signal by giving it a path to ground. This crucial length of wire is known as the “String Ground Wire”.

Electric Guitar String Ground Read More »

Mitchel’s PlateMate

Installations & Upgrades, Acoustic Guitar, Structural Repair, Tech Talk /

The bridge plate is an integral part of the internal support structure of an acoustic guitar. As part of the bracing system, it helps to support the instrument top and resist the pulling force exerted upon the instrument by the strings.

Mitchel’s PlateMate is designed to protect your guitar’s bridge plate from damage caused by ball-end strings. It is made from solid brass and installs in minutes. Should the need arise, the plate can be removed almost as easily!

Mitchel’s PlateMate Read More »

Acoustic Guitar Bracing Repairs

Acoustic Guitar, Structural Repair /

In an acoustic guitar, bracing is the internal support structure that holds the instrument together. By design, the top, back, and sides of the guitar body must be fairly thin and are typically made from wood. A series of comparatively thicker pieces are then glued to specific locations to provide stability in high stress areas; This is the bracing system.

Without sufficient bracing to reinforce it, the instrument would buckle, crack, and fall apart from the substantial force put upon it by the strings.

Acoustic Guitar Bracing Repairs Read More »

Highwood Vintage Contoured Strat Saddles

Tech Talk, Electric Guitars, Installations & Upgrades /

Fender “vintage style” stamped saddles have been used for decades on Stratocasters and many other S-style guitars. Made of bent steel, they are highly adjustable and posses a classic look.

However, for some playing styles, these saddles have a major drawback. Highwood Guitars Parts HG Contoured Vintage Guitar Saddles retain the look of the original Fender design with key improvements.

Highwood Vintage Contoured Strat Saddles Read More »

Fret Sprout – Sharp Fret Ends

Tech Talk, Frets /

Sharp or poorly shaped fret ends can be a real drag on your playing. When mild, it is an annoyance; Severe cases however can render an instrument effectively unplayable without risking cuts to the player’s hand. Careful filing of the fret ends is the only way to remove the excess metal and get the frets flush to the side of the neck.

Fret Sprout – Sharp Fret Ends Read More »

Taylor Guitars Expression System

Tech Talk, Acoustic Electronics, Acoustic Guitar, Taylor Guitars /

The Taylor Guitars Expression System is a series of proprietary electronics designed from the ground up to maintain the unique sound and aesthetics of Taylor Guitars. The expression system is fully optimized for the Taylor sound and is unlike any other guitar pickup system.

Taylor Guitars Expression System Read More »

Acoustic Guitar Bridge Reglue

Tech Talk, Structural Repair /

The bridge truly is the heart of an acoustic guitar. Typically made from a piece of wood such as ebony or rosewood, it is glued to the guitar’s top, where it serves several critical functions. When strung to pitch in standard tuning, a set of light gauge acoustic guitar strings exerts about 160lbs worth of tension upon the instrument. Since the strings are attached to the bridge, this pulling force is partially transferred to it. Though guitars are designed to be able to resist that force, if there is any weakness in the glue joint connecting the bridge to the top, it can fail.

Acoustic Guitar Bridge Reglue Read More »