Why should a brand new guitar like this need a setup. Simple answer, it shouldn’t. However it’s been built a long way away, in a Californian desert, and travelled half way round the world. How many temperature and humidity changes has it been through? It’s not really that bad, just needs a twist here and […]
Washburn – Cleanup and Re-String
Now and again I get a really simple job, for example just changing a set of strings. While the strings were off it also needed a good clean, you can see the build-up on the fretboard. It can be quite tough, but I find the best thing to shift it is fine steel wool. With the dirt removed […]
PRS Pickups
Wiring not really your thing? Just getting inside some of these things can be a bit of a pain. Once you get it all out it’s quite simple. This one had just a few minor problems, easily sorted. Getting the parts back together is the hardest part….
Fender Jazz Bass – New heads and setup
Nice Bass, rather worn machine heads though. Managed to get a rather nice new set from Axesrus to exactly fit the old holes.All that’s needed is a good cleanup….and a lick of oil…Followed by a standard 5 point setup.. No.1 The neck set, starting with it as flat as possible…by adjusting the truss-rod.No.2 the action […]
Gretsch Double Jet – Setup
Nothing much wrong with this one realy, I think this range of guitars are excellent value for money, it just needs a little tweek here and there to optimise its setup. While the strings are off (It’s always worth fitting new strings before completing a setup) I gave the fretboard a clean and oil. The […]
Fender Telecaster – Intonation problems
Everyone loves a Telecaster, a cassic guitar, no-one should be without one! There is, however, one fundamental problem with the original design. The strings are paired up on the bridge saddles and so the intonation is always a compromise, perticulrly on the D and G strings. There is a simple solution though, compensated saddles. I’ve […]
Gretsch Country Gentleman – Cleanup
Don’t look, it’s horrible!!! What a poor old wreck, I’ve dived on less corroded ships at the bottom of the sea! This one was built in 1964 and, sadly, Country Gents built around that time all have dodgy binding that falls apart. That may provide content for another blog, but, for the time being I’m […]
Martin Acoustic-Electric conversion
Want an acoustic with an electric pickup? There are lots of simple conversion kits out there, this one more simple than most… First thing first, drill the hole for the new jack socket/strap button. It’s a little larger than even my largest drill, so it needed a little work with a round file.. The pickup […]
Gibson Les-Paul – Overhaul
What a great old guitar! Despite it’s age (dialling the serial number into the web came out with 1960) it’s not seen a great deal of wear, it’s just had a little damp getting to it lately. Luckily I think we’ve got it just in time! The frets are a little worn around the usual […]
Ibanez – Fret Dress
These are normally better than this.!. If you’re looking for a good starter guitar then I reckon you can do a lot worse than pick up a second-had Ibanez. Sadly I think this one must have been built on a Friday afternoon! Still a good looking guitar though… Mostly it’s fine, It just has a couple […]