This 2005 Gibson Les Paul Studio guitar came into the shop suffering from a broken, or cracked, headstock. Though it can happen to any guitar, this type of repair is most commonly associated with Gibson instruments. Fortunately, we were able to get it repaired for the client, including gluing the crack and performing cosmetic touchup.
Gibson Headstock Repair Read More »
With regular maintenance, frets are typically able to provide years of service. However, most instruments will likely require at least one refret over the course of their life. Here is some info on the reasons for and the process of refretting a guitar.
Refretting: Guitar Fret Replacement Read More »
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.
Crack Repairs – Repairing Wood Cracks in Guitars Read More »
A mortise and tenon joint is a centuries old method for connecting two pieces of wood. The “mortise” is a hole or recess cut into a part which is designed to receive a corresponding projection referred to as the “tenon” on another component so as to join the two pieces together.
The Martin Guitar Company has been using this style of joint to secure the neck onto the body of their student and player grade model instruments for decades.
Acoustic Guitar Neck Resets – Martin Mortise and Tenon Read More »
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 »
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 »
Altering the guitar neck angle of a traditional neck assembly can require invasive surgery to remove the neck and reshape the joint. However, since the neck angle of a Taylor NT neck is created by spacers and requires no glue, adjustment simply requires a nut driver, an Allen key, and a new set of spacers.
Taylor Guitars NT Neck Reset Read More »
Before a setup can be performed on a guitar or bass, it is crucial that the instrument’s fretwork be in good shape; The frets should be level relative to one another, with a nice rounded profile and smooth playing surface. This is especially important for players that are sensitive to string buzzes, have a discerning ear for intonation, or that prefer the string action to be set very low.
Fret Work: Level Crown and Polish Read More »