Chapman – Service and Setup

I’ve not come across one of these before, rather nice though.  This one just needs a service and setup and it’ll be good as new. The biggest problem it’s got is rather self inflicted.  Someone took a sticker off it with a Brillo pad, or something equally as bad.  It’s left some really deep scratches […]

Columbus – Service and Setup

I do love big semi-acoustics, and you don’t have to spend a huge amount to get a nice one… This one’s pretty good. I’m sure that wiring isn’t original, and its in a rather untidy place. The volume and tone are rather crackly so they need a good clean. While the strings are off its also […]

Gibson ES335 – Setup

What a beautiful instrument,  Gibson seem to be doing a bit better with their quality these days, just needs a tweek here and there to make the most of it. It looks like Gibson are finally getting their act together, the frets are nice and even at least. It’s even got a nice Bone nut.   […]

Squire Stratocaster – Service and setup

There comes a point when even the best of guitars need a service and setup.  Most people will have their car serviced regularly, why not your guitar? While the strings are off I always give the fretboard a good clean. The heads were a little stiff so a little light oil. and a bit of […]

Snap Dragon, folding guitar – Setup

Here’s something unusual, a folding travel guitar.  I’ve never come across one of these before.  I’ve seen some folding guitars before, but never one that really seems to work.  Getting the folding joint right, so that it snaps into place accurately is a real problem, but these people have cracked it.  Unfortunately the playing action […]

Kramer – Fret Dress and setup

How’s that for a guitar finish!  Wow,  I’m not sure if it’s quite my cup of tea but I just love it.  Sadly it’s just not playing very well, there’s quite a bit of fret buzz high up the neck. The problem lies in the frets, some of them are just a little uneven.  To uneven […]

Water Buffalo Horn Nut

If you need a new bone nut, but want a black one, how about Water Buffalo Horn?  It’s not quite as tough as bone but it’s the best natural substance I’ve come across. This Bass needs a new one just because it’s broken. I’ve not got any pre-shaped ones so I’m going to have to […]

Fender Stratocaster – Build

Putting a guitar together may seem easy but the devil is in the detail! Despite what it says I suspect this neck isn’t genuine Fender, if it is, it’s a Friday afternoon special, the frets are all over the place.  If It’s to play nicely they’ll need levelling first. The masking tape is to protect […]

Gibson Les Paul – Fret Dress and setup

Wow, what a great guitar.  And a fantastic example of a great guitar at that!  It’s seen some action though, and needs a little TLC to bring it back to life. The frets are a little worn up at the paying end so that’ll need sorting out for a start. In preparation for a fret dress, off with […]