Vintage Acoustic Guitar Pickguard Replacement

Tech Talk, Acoustic Guitar, Structural Repair /

Many acoustic guitars manufactured from the late 60’s through the mid 80’s utilize acetate or celluloid plastic pick guards glued directly on top of bare wood. An unfortunate concern with this technique is that, with age, the pick guards have begun to shrink and degrade. This is similar to another common affliction of vintage instruments: The breakdown of plastic tuner buttons. As many of these instruments have attained a degree of collectability far above the manufacturers wildest expectations, expert repair is often warranted to save these fine instruments.

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Making An Acoustic Guitar Saddle

Tech Talk, Acoustic Guitar, Installations & Upgrades /

The saddle is a vital part of an acoustic guitar. Protruding above the bridge, it is one of the primary action adjustment points for the instrument. Without a well made saddle, proper setup will not be possible. Though they can be made from many different materials, for this article, we will be focusing on the process of hand cutting a new acoustic guitar saddle out of a piece of bone.

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Taylor Guitars NT Neck Reset

Tech Talk, Acoustic Guitar, Neck Resetting, Taylor Guitars /

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.

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Replacing Crumbling Vintage Tuning Machine Buttons

Tech Talk, General Maintenance /

Shrunken, crumbly, plastic tuning machine buttons are not uncommon on vintage instruments. As it ages, plastic breaks down. This makes the plastic brittle. Eventually, the tuning machine’s buttons deteriorate to the point that they can no longer hold up to the pressure exerted upon them from normal use. If forced, they may fall apart entirely. This can make restringing or even simply tuning the instrument impossible

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String Nuts and Acoustic Guitar Saddles

Tech Talk, Installations & Upgrades, Nuts & Saddles /

In this article we will be discussing String nuts, for electric and acoustic guitar, as well as acoustic guitar saddles. We have grouped these two items together because they work hand in hand with one another and are often made from similar materials.

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Making A Bone String Nut

Tech Talk, Installations & Upgrades, Nuts & Saddles /

The nut is a vital part of any stringed instrument. It sets the string spacing and helps to set the action for the instrument’s lower register. Without a well made nut, proper setup will not be possible.

For this article, we will be focusing on the process of hand cutting a new string nut out of a piece of bone.

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Taylor Guitars Expression System 2 Upgrade

Tech Talk, Acoustic Electronics, Acoustic Guitar, Installations & Upgrades, Taylor Guitars /

Taylor Guitars Expression System 2 (ES2) pickup design is the latest in Taylor’s ongoing innovation in acoustic guitar amplification. The heart of the Expression System 2 is Taylor’s patented behind-the-saddle pickup, which features three uniquely positioned and individually calibrated pickup sensors. The location of the sensors is designed with the intent of capturing more dynamic range vs other pickup types.

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K&K Pure-Mini Acoustic Guitar Pickup

Tech Talk, Acoustic Electronics, Acoustic Guitar, Installations & Upgrades /

The Pure Mini is K&K’s award-winning pickup for acoustic guitars. Installed on the guitar’s bridge plate, the Pure Pickup is a great choice for achieving a rich, natural guitar sound. Our customers tell us that it’s the best passive pickup on the market.

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Relicing Guitars: Making New Look Old

Tech Talk, Finishing and Aesthetics /

Relicing is a term used to describe the various processes used to make new parts or instruments look old. Though it may sound simple, when done properly, the job is far more involved than simply throwing some dirt and scratches onto a piece and calling it a “relic”. At its best, it is a detailed simulation of the aging process by professionals who have studied and documented the aging of vintage guitars.

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Hipshot Rickenbacker Replacement Bridge for Bass

Tech Talk, Installations & Upgrades /

The Rickenbacker bass is a staple of rock music. They have an instantly recognizable look, with a unique feel and tone. These instruments have found a place in the hands of icons, such as Geddy Lee of Rush, Motorhead’s Lemmy, and even Sir Paul McCartney of the Beatles. However, there is always room for improvement. The Hipshot Rickenbacker replacement bridge is just that!

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