REPAIR TECHNIQUES

repairs, setups, troubleshooting, restoration, diagnostics, and techniques learned through repair work.

Planing a Bridge: Restoring Playability When a Neck Reset Isn’t an Option

The Unabridged Calico Journal, Acoustic Guitar, IDEAS & DISCOVERIES, Neck Resetting, REPAIR TECHNIQUES, Structural Repair /

For many budget or mid-range instruments, the cost of a neck reset can far exceed the instrument’s market value. For this reason, most guitars that need a neck reset will never receive one. With this in mind, we want to explain a more economical and effective method for restoring playability and action to a guitar that might otherwise be relegated to the closet: Bridge Planing.

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Crack Repairs – Repairing Wood Cracks in Guitars

Acoustic Guitar, REPAIR TECHNIQUES, Structural Repair, The Unabridged Calico Journal /

Wood is the most common material for guitar construction. A few particular tree species such as Ebony, Maple, Rosewood Mahogany and Spruce have long been staples within the industry. The type chosen for a particular task is based on a combination of factors such as: availability, tonal qualities, aesthetic beauty, workability, tradition, strength, and durability. 

As with anything made of wood, if they are to last, guitars require care and consideration to protect them from damage. Wood cracks can usually be attributed to one of two main causes: Impact (such as a drop or hit) or humidity issues. While the causes may be simple, the variation is nearly endless. The following is an overview of the common ways that wooden guitars can crack and corresponding methods of repair.

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Acoustic Strap Buttons

The Unabridged Calico Journal, Acoustic Guitar, Installations & Upgrades, PARTS & MATERIALS, REPAIR TECHNIQUES /

A guitar strap allows the player to securely position the instrument in a comfortable spot without the need to physically hold it. They can be useful whether playing seated or standing.

Strap buttons are the connecting points that let the user easily secure and/or remove the strap as needed. Each guitar strap needs needs two points of contact. On an acoustic guitar, these points are typically the endpin and either the headstock or the heel.

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Electronic Repairs on Hollowbody Guitars

Electric Guitars, Electronics, IDEAS & DISCOVERIES, Installations & Upgrades, PARTS & MATERIALS, REPAIR TECHNIQUES, The Unabridged Calico Journal /

This beautiful Collings I30 guitar came to us with a non-functional neck pickup tone control. While this is likely a simple repair electronically, as with most wiring repairs on semi-hollow and fully hollow-bodied guitars, the more time consuming task will be accessing and reinstalling the electronics before and after service.

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Taylor Guitars Expression System

The Unabridged Calico Journal, Acoustic Electronics, Acoustic Guitar, IDEAS & DISCOVERIES, PARTS & MATERIALS, REPAIR TECHNIQUES, 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.

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