| Subject | Date Asked |
|
| need help with whamy | 7/6/2008 |
Q: my guitar is an Ibanez I have had problems with puting it on after the springs broke I have new ...
A: I assume that this is a floyd rose style trem. You'll want to set the spring tension so that the ...
|
| Cracked spruce top | 7/5/2008 |
Q: I have been build a Stewmac ooo kit. All going well until I had to leave the body due to work. I ...
A: Hey James perhaps I should be more specific here. Thin cyano would be best I suggest you check out ...
|
| tuning problems | 6/11/2008 |
Q: I have an Ibanez RG-370DX guitar.I bought it 2 months ago. After playing it many times ive noticed ...
A: Sounds to me like your tremelo needs to be setup. If you don't have any experience with guitar setup ...
|
| guitar warping. | 6/10/2008 |
Q: i collect silvertone,harmony and kay guitars, most of them are acoustic. and as you probably know, ...
A: Your on the right trail here. Keep your humidity levels consistent and store them in a good case. ...
|
| Broken neck! | 5/30/2008 |
Q: My f##king cat just knocked over my Epiphone EJ-200NA, and it broke right at the top of the fret ...
A: Broken headstocks are an especially common problem on Gibsons and Epiphones. The repair can be time ...
|
| Guitar Action | 5/23/2008 |
Q: This is a very subjective question. I want my guitar to have a straight neck, yet after I tweak the ...
A: Sounds like with a little fret leveling you should be able to get the buzzes to go away. Any action ...
|
| Guitar Action | 5/20/2008 |
Q: This is a very subjective question. I want my guitar to have a straight neck, yet after I tweak the ...
A: Your right action is a very subjective thing based on the player and that players style. I need some ...
|
| What's wrong with my guitar??? | 5/17/2008 |
Q: Well I have a Epiphone les Paul Studio and this morning it go to play it and something went wrong. ...
A: What I think you want to do hear is check the easy stuff first. Try isolating the problem by ...
|
| buzzing | 5/17/2008 |
Q: Hey i just baught a vintage kramer striker 300 ST with a liscenced shaller floyd rose bridge off ...
A: It sounds to me like your having a ground issue. Check that your ground wires are all in place ...
|
| Painting my electric violin | 5/8/2008 |
Q: I just read your Q & A on taking off a clear coat before repainting an electric guitar...but my ...
A: I'm not an expert when it comes to violins but here's my 2 cents. If the violin is a hollow body ...
|
| fret buzz | 5/6/2008 |
Q: I bought a guitar off e-bay( I know...big mistake) and found that upon trying to play it, that there ...
A: I can't be very definite hear without a hands on look and measuring some things. I have bought ...
|
| mullled high E | 4/28/2008 |
Q: I just completed building my first guitar, all strung up, sounds awesome, except My bottom E string ...
A: I would recommend that you check two things. First check the angle of your nut slot and make sure it ...
|
| Repairing dings and dents | 4/25/2008 |
Q: What do I do and use to restore my dinged and dented strat back to its original finish?
A: Depends on how damaged the finish you could scuff it and than respray if its a nitro finish or you ...
|
| finish | 4/25/2008 |
Q: hy, i just got an old acoustic that had some serious damage to the finish. i couldn't repair it so ...
A: Traditionally either a shellac finish done in french polish or a nitro cellulose lacquer would be ...
|
| Bass tuning machine replacement question | 4/21/2008 |
Q: I just replaced the stock Fender tuners on my Japanese Geddy Lee Jazz Bass with Hipshot HB2 bass ...
A: If you can't get the bushings out and they are working fine than you should be allright. If you want ...
|
| Re Truss Rod Adjustment | 4/17/2008 |
Q: Chris, Thank you for your time. Guitar was brand new, never adjusted. Upon seasonal inspection, ...
A: You could try using the spacer and see if you get any more adjustment out of the rod (in theory you ...
|
| Rising Tongue? | 4/13/2008 |
Q: I bought a used Epiphone Les Paul Standard recently, via ebay, and initially, I was very happy with ...
A: The change in temp and humidity could be a cause if it seems to have gotten worse as time went on. ...
|
| diffrent guitar parts to make one guitar | 4/6/2008 |
Q: I have been playing guitar for a few years, and i enjoy it but no guitar fits my standards. The ...
A: Both Warmoth and Stew Mac sell "replacement Fender guitar necks" that should bolt up just fine. As ...
|
| diffrent guitar parts to make one guitar | 4/6/2008 |
Q: I have been playing guitar for a few years, and i enjoy it but no guitar fits my standards. The ...
A: This is one of the reasons people come to me looking to have a custom guitar built from the ground ...
|
| Fender Bullet Deluxe | 4/4/2008 |
Q: There is a buzz everytime I connect the Fender Bullet Deluxe to a speaker, I've checked the speaker ...
A: Sounds to me like we have a ground issue. Your going to want to remove your pickguard and do some ...
|
| BUZZING | 4/3/2008 |
Q: only just started playing and my low e string buzzes when i play it. its an acoustic and i don't ...
A: Sounds to me like the string is just to low either at the nut or saddle or both. Could also be the ...
|
| Guitar Bridge | 4/3/2008 |
Q: "I recently bought a strat-style body of a guitar. It arrived with a small crack in between the ...
A: It depends on the crack really. Is the crack into the wood or is it a finish crack only. If it is in ...
|
| BUZZING | 4/1/2008 |
Q: only just started playing and my low e string buzzes when i play it. its an acoustic and i don't ...
A: It depends on where the string or how the string is buzzing for us to tackle this properly. I need ...
|
| Regarding pick ups | 3/26/2008 |
Q: I don't know a lot about pick ups but i want to get into the world of them. Is there any sites where ...
A: Pretty big topic to cover. Pickups basically fall into two categories single coil and humbucking. ...
|
| Finish cracks at heel joint | 3/19/2008 |
Q: Jaster, I was wondering about the cost and repair time to a red strat that has small finish/stress ...
A: If the crack is just in the finish than it will pose no structural problem, if it is in the wood you ...
|
| guitar truss rod | 3/17/2008 |
Q: I am 14 and am building a guitar. I am currently working on the neck. I bought a new aluminum truss ...
A: Once you have the channel for the rod routed into the neck and everything fits nice and flush you're ...
|
| guitar truss rod | 3/17/2008 |
Q: I am 14 and am building a guitar. I am currently working on the neck. I bought a new aluminum truss ...
A: Good to see a young man such as yourself take on a project. These type of rods are recessed into the ...
|
| Electric Guitar neck | 3/11/2008 |
Q: I am a design student making a through neck guitar and I am considering using soft maple for the ...
A: Personally I prefer to use hard rock maple but to the best of my knowledge soft maple has been used ...
|
| Headstock repair questions... | 3/7/2008 |
Q: Let me first say I love reading up on your stuff here. I am looking to buy a Guitar that has had a ...
A: headstock repairs if carried out properly should pose no problems in tone or structural integrity of ...
|
| acoustic guitar bridge | 3/5/2008 |
Q: i put new strings on my acoustic guitar and noticed that the bridge was separating from the body. ...
A: This type of problem can definitely be fixed with a minimum amount of tools. You'll need an iron and ...
|
| Finger board removal | 2/25/2008 |
Q: I am trying to repair a through neck guitar. It had been brutalized by it's previous owner, and I am ...
A: You could remove the fretboard with the frets still in just it just makes it a little tougher to ...
|
| Guitar modification | 2/25/2008 |
Q: Which pick ups would you recommend to replace standard wilkinson humbuckers on a vintage bk 99cr ...
A: Personally I like the seymour duncan seth lover series such as the SH55. They seem to be pretty ...
|
| Finger board removal | 2/24/2008 |
Q: I am trying to repair a through neck guitar. It had been brutalized by it's previous owner, and I am ...
A: Yes you can remove the fingerboard. It is a time consuming operation and will need some tools. First ...
|
| electric guitar bridge | 2/21/2008 |
Q: I usually tune down a half or sometimes whole step. Recently, when I tuned to a regular E I noticed ...
A: That's normal on a strat style guitar but there is such a thing as overdoing it. To readjust it to ...
|
| building pickup covers | 2/19/2008 |
Q: if i really wanted to make my own pickup covers, what would could i use? i know some people have ...
A: You could use metal i suppose but it would have to be aluminum or brass or some other non magnetic ...
|
| gibson/epiphone P90 pickup covers | 2/18/2008 |
Q: is it possible to put P90 "dogear" pickup covers over the top of basic humbucker pickups?. i really ...
A: P90's are gibsons single coil pickup and pretty much every pickup maker makes their own take on the ...
|
| Electric guitar bridge | 2/16/2008 |
Q: I have recently acquired an Eleca flying V guitar that has a Nashville Tune-O-Matic bridge on it. ...
A: It would be compensated at the fingerboard which it most likely is not. U want to measure from the ...
|
| Electric guitar bridge | 2/13/2008 |
Q: I have recently acquired an Eleca flying V guitar that has a Nashville Tune-O-Matic bridge on it. ...
A: Without a hands on look I cant be 100% certain but here's a test you can use to check the bridge ...
|
| fixing an epiphone style guitar | 2/13/2008 |
Q: i have an a guitar made by tanglewood that is built just like an epiphone casino guitar. i would ...
A: I assume that we are talking about smaller screw holes or bridge pins and things of that nature. ...
|
| fixing an epiphone style guitar | 2/13/2008 |
Q: i have an a guitar made by tanglewood that is built just like an epiphone casino guitar. i would ...
A: Here's the deal on these and why they are a tad frustrating to repair. Thru the F holes is the way ...
|
| Cracked Guitar heel | 2/10/2008 |
Q: I received a Hofner Acoustic guitar but it has a crack in the heel that goes inside the guitar, I am ...
A: It's hard to say without a hands on look but heres my best guesstimate. Try using some wood glue and ...
|
| Bass Neck replacement | 2/6/2008 |
Q: I have an old Epiphone bass that needs a new neck (it has a wicked S curve). I've searched the net, ...
A: An S curve can often times be straightened by heat pressing the neck or proper refreting. I'd have ...
|
| pick up selector switch | 2/5/2008 |
Q: would i be able to use an spdt switch for wiring my pickups to, to simplify,having the bridge pick ...
A: Simple answer is yes I believe that is possible. That's really all a three way switch is to my ...
|
| general guitar repair knowledge | 2/5/2008 |
Q: i have been playing guitar and bass for several years and would like to get into upgrading and ...
A: Body wood does have an effect even in solid bodies. Mahogany tends to be darker and warmer ala Les ...
|
| general guitar repair knowledge | 2/5/2008 |
Q: i have been playing guitar and bass for several years and would like to get into upgrading and ...
A: There are some good books out there. Dan Erlewines Guitar player repair guide is a good one for ...
|
| Guitar upgrade with modifications | 1/24/2008 |
Q: I have a nice Austin LP copy I have started ordering parts for to upgrade it with. So far I have ...
A: There's some nice upgrades there. Push pull pots are a nice option and have been used on LP's for ...
|
| Electronics Replacement for Warwick Streamer Standard | 1/24/2008 |
Q: I have a Warwick Streamer standard 5 string bass with the 2 p/u configuration -- Passive. I love ...
A: (1) As for pickups you'll want the "J" style. The String spacing is usually pretty standard on five ...
|
| Acoustic Guitar heel crack | 1/23/2008 |
Q: I need to repair a cracked Heel on my guitar. The acoustic it not worth fixing in a repair shop but ...
A: This is a very easy and straight forward repair. Elmers wood glue or TiteBond will work. Make sure ...
|
| Wiring Short Circuit? | 1/23/2008 |
Q: The weirdest thing happened to me about an hour ago... I was playing my Epiphone Les Paul custom ...
A: That's a new one on me. Could be the guitar or it could be the effects board. Sounds to me like a ...
|
| reply to chris my high e string | 1/23/2008 |
Q: the e string keeps a constant sustain could it be my marshal jack hammer pedal.the string is ringing ...
A: Sounds to me like its the high sustain/distortion setting. You could maybe play around with pickup ...
|
| crack in guitar body | 1/22/2008 |
Q: My electric guitar fell and has a small crack where the neck and body meets. I can not feel it as it ...
A: It's never fun when a guitar falls. Be thankful it's not a broken headstock. Without a hands on look ...
|
| buzzing | 1/21/2008 |
Q: I have an acoustic electric dean bb guitar. Recently, I have been getting a dull buzzing sound from ...
A: What you have is high frets or loose fret ends. Without the proper tools it can be a tricky thing to ...
|
| Guitar Setup | 1/20/2008 |
Q: I contacted my local guitar shop and asked about a set up, specifically to lower my action on my ...
A: My definition of a good setup is whatever action feels good to the player without buzzing frets. ...
|
| crack in guitar | 1/16/2008 |
Q: I have a washburn d-34 augusta it has a solid cedar top and a crack right under the bridge but it ...
A: If a crack is repaired it shouldn't affect the sound in any way. It can be redone if the visual ...
|
| Davison Doubleneck..6/12 | 1/15/2008 |
Q: The above guitar is a "all" Chinese made guitar. Although very beautiful, the sound is awful! ...
A: Given that the pickup cavities are routed for a humbucker you may want to look for something to drop ...
|
| Buzzing on certain frets on certain notes | 1/14/2008 |
Q: I have a buzzing sound that occurs on the "D"'s 5th fret and again on the high "E"'s 13th fret. ...
A: The buzzing that is occurring on the D and E sounds like high or loose frets. One of the last ...
|
| aria guitar | 1/14/2008 |
Q: A friend of mine bought an aria electric guitar from the local pawn shop a few years ago and he ...
A: Arai and Company was founded in 1953 in Japan by Shiro Arai and began marketing Arai, Aria, Arai ...
|
| bass guitars | 1/14/2008 |
Q: i"ve been learning the bass for a few months now and really enjoy it,i fancy having a go at a ...
A: If it were me I'd put in a good set of pickups and maybe a good set of tuners. You'll be amazed at ...
|
| epiphone dove with a buzz | 1/12/2008 |
Q: this is my first time here.first off, thanks for having this help posted. i have an epiphone dove ...
A: Most likely scenario is a loose fret end. No a 10lb sledge might not be the way to go although I ...
|
| changing electric guitar bridges | 1/11/2008 |
Q: Chris....i have a Yamaha PAC012 and i have started to change out the tremolo bridge for a string ...
A: With this style of bridge what you want to to is put two strips of masking tape down the fretboard ...
|
| Pitted guitar hardware | 1/10/2008 |
Q: I have a Gibson S1(circa 1967)that plays beautifully and is structurally perfect. Problem is; the ...
A: As far as the rusted dirty grungy look you can clean that up somewhat yourself by removing the ...
|
| Building a Les Paul style guitar - HELP!! | 1/9/2008 |
Q: Im trying to work out the correct locations where to drill the bridge and tail piece holes on a les ...
A: First thing u need to know is your scale length. Once you have that you can locate the bridge by ...
|
| buzzing | 1/8/2008 |
Q: i broke off the headstock of my crafter acoustic and have just had it repaired at a music shop with ...
A: It is always unfortunate when headstocks get broken, fortunately they can be repaired. I assume when ...
|
| Gouged-out Telecaster! | 1/7/2008 |
Q: Howdy,and thanks in advance for any advice you may offer. I'm considering a USA Telecaster that ...
A: Form a structural standpoint it depends on how badly they botched it, for example if they perhaps ...
|
| Inlays | 1/2/2008 |
Q: I have an old Aria guitar w/ dot inlays in the rosewood fingerboard. A couple of the inlays are ...
A: If they are not pearl dots but are a pearloid (plastic or some other form of plastic wood etc.), ...
|
| Inlays | 12/31/2007 |
Q: I have an old Aria guitar w/ dot inlays in the rosewood fingerboard. A couple of the inlays are ...
A: This can be fixed fairly easily. Have these inlays always been high or is this recent. You can ...
|
| MY PICKUPS!!! | 12/28/2007 |
Q: I have an electric guitar made by dean and it has pickups that are loose (wobble a little bit) they ...
A: Even though it is wood it will have some sort of finish on it, most likely an oil finish. As I said ...
|
| Changing Neck Scale | 12/26/2007 |
Q: I am looking to buy an old beaten-up guitar, take off the neck, and replace it with a custom neck ...
A: It does matter that the scale length would be changed. You could get around this by relocating the ...
|
| MY PICKUPS!!! | 12/26/2007 |
Q: I have an electric guitar made by dean and it has pickups that are loose (wobble a little bit) they ...
A: Some wobbling or looseness is normal on most humbuckers (les paul style) but not usually on single ...
|
| new pickups | 12/4/2007 |
Q: I have an old Peavey foundation bass and want to replace the pickups. The pickups are 4" by 1 1/4". ...
A: Pickup selection is a matter of personal taste and you have to choose what sounds best to you so I'm ...
|
| bridge | 11/22/2007 |
Q: Hy, I have a old acoustic that im refinishing. The bridge is held on by two (2) pins that feel ...
A: I believe that what you are referring to is a bridge which has pins in the wings with a type of stud ...
|
| buzz | 11/17/2007 |
Q: i got my first electric guitar is a Yamaha erg121, but when i play like the first 7 frets on every ...
A: Looks like you have what's called a backbowed neck near as I can figure with the information ...
|
| Fingerboard re-finish | 11/12/2007 |
Q: I've recently purchased an Ibanez RG550 (2nd hand) with Maple neck. Around the 10th Fret there is a ...
A: without a picture of the discoloration its hard to say if it has worn through but that is the most ...
|
| Acoustic Trouble | 11/9/2007 |
Q: I've got a Washburn House of Blues Acoustic. It's a nice beginner guitar, but I'm going to get a new ...
A: Sounds to me as though it would be a low nut or the neck has gone into a backbow which can be ...
|
| Acoustic Trouble | 11/9/2007 |
Q: I've got a Washburn House of Blues Acoustic. It's a nice beginner guitar, but I'm going to get a new ...
A: If there was no buzzing before you put on the new strings there is a couple things we can look at. ...
|
| fret buzz | 11/3/2007 |
Q: I recently stripped an Ibanez RG570 down and on set up, I'm getting a rattling sound on the bottom E ...
A: Generally when a nut is shimmed it needs to be shimmed on both sides all the way across on both ...
|
| Repair | 10/30/2007 |
Q: Is it worth repairing? I have c.1972-3 Guild F212-XL 12-string guitar which I bought new in Carmel, ...
A: I'm a little unsure as to what you mean by the fretboard causing the body to give in. Could you ...
|
| fret buzz | 10/28/2007 |
Q: I recently stripped an Ibanez RG570 down and on set up, I'm getting a rattling sound on the bottom E ...
A: There is nothing more frustrating than a fret buzz. How was the guitar before? Problems like these ...
|
| Guitar too bassy | 10/23/2007 |
Q: I purchased a G&l invader that playes amazing. One problem its extremely bassy and muddy. I was told ...
A: Lets cover the simple stuff first. Even though the guitar factories say their guitars are setup at ...
|
| clear coat minor crack | 10/14/2007 |
Q: Hows it going. Well I have a Yamama acoustic guitar..and my brother just tossed a lighter at me ...
A: These type of cracks can be repair. Unless you have any experience with lacquer I wouldn't recommend ...
|
| more info | 10/10/2007 |
Q: my guitar one of my frets,the steel bar.it has worn a bit,the problem i have it buzzes when i hit it ...
A: The thing you have to look at is how is it worn is it just worn flat or is it pitted or grooved. If ...
|
| Installing a LP ot SG type bridge | 10/7/2007 |
Q: I'm customizing an old electric guitar, replacing all hardware, humbuckers and plan to change the ...
A: Hard to say without a picture of the guitar exactly what we're looking at here. What type of bridge ...
|
| bass final question | 10/7/2007 |
Q: this is my old bass. ...
A: Changing the pickup out could indeed result in a better sounding instrument but with in reason. You ...
|
| building | 10/7/2007 |
Q: maple fretboard with rosewood neck for a new bass i'm putting together. what effect will it have on ...
A: Rosewood is not considered a common choice for guitar necks, but this is mainly the result of export ...
|
