Category: Guitar Care and Repair

Ask the Expert: Commissioning the Right Repair for a Vintage Guitar

Q: I have a 1932 Gibson L-00 12-fret that appears to have had a neck reset and refret before I bought it. After finding a few muted notes around the 14th fret, I asked a local repair shop for an evaluation and was told they would need to sand down…

Mamie Minch
March 5, 2018

Ask the Expert: Fixing String Spacing & Refretting a Bound Fingerboard

Thank you, dear readers, for all your write-in curios and questions over the past months. If I haven’t let you know, I really appreciate it. Sharing your question or concern, even about something small, can help clear things up for other readers—including things they didn’t know they needed cleared up.…

Mamie Minch
November 1, 2017

How to Adjust Your Truss Rod

If your guitar has a single-action truss rod, then you’ll only have control over the amount of backward bow, with any forward movement either being built into the design of the neck or occurring from the pull of the strings. Many contemporary guitars use a double-action truss rod, which allows…

Rick Turner
April 2, 2017

Two Experts Answer Common Acoustic Guitar Repair Questions

Dick Boak and Rick Turner provide answers to frequently asked questions.

Rick Turner
March 19, 2017

DIY Maintenance: How to Make Your Acoustic Guitar Play Better Than Ever

Learning how to give your guitar a minor tune-up versus knowing when it’s time to take it to a repair pro will help you get more enjoyment out of your instrument.

Teja Gerken
September 8, 2016

How to Fix Rattles

Your entire guitar vibrates when you play it: the top most of all, but even the neck and headstock are moved by the vibrating strings’ energy. Any loose part on your guitar may buzz or rattle audibly, sometimes only when certain notes are played. Parts don’t have to be visibly loose to rattle, and it can be quite a job to chase down the causes of some of these little noises.

Frank Ford
December 18, 2015

7 Lessons on DIY Acoustic Guitar Maintenance

Learn how to perform basic maintenance routines and minor repairs without having to take your guitar to a shop.

Brian Michael
June 18, 2013

Guitar Maintenance: How To Fix Loose Tuners

Inspecting the tuners on your acoustic guitar may just solve that mystery buzz or rattle you’ve been hearing. Here's how to fix loose tuners on your guitar.

Brian Michael
June 13, 2013

DIY Guitar Maintenance: How to Keep Your Guitar Clean [VIDEO]

Some finishes are more impervious than others, but regular cleaning is a good habit to get into. Here's how to do it.

Brian Michael
June 13, 2013

Guitar Maintenance: How to Check and Adjust Saddle Height

Your guitar’s bridge saddle is the most significant piece of the puzzle when it comes to raising or lowering action. Here's how to check and adjust saddle height.

Brian Michael
June 13, 2013

Guitar Maintenance: How to Perform Basic Pickup Repairs

Here are some general tips that will help you troubleshoot why your guitar's pickup isn't working and get the electrons flowing again.

Brian Michael
June 13, 2013

Guitar on the work bench, ready for repairs

Guitar Maintenance: Check Action at the Nut

High strings at the nut can cause sharp intonation and make playing in first position difficult, while low or worn slots can result in open-string fret buzz.

Brian Michael
June 13, 2013

Guitar Maintenance: How To Adjust Neck Relief

Humidity changes can quickly throw a neck out of whack, causing too much forward bow (relief) or back bow. Here’s how to check neck relief on acoustic guitar.

Brian Michael
June 13, 2013

Guitar Maintenance: Tips on Restringing Your Acoustic Guitar

There’s more than one way to string a guitar, and here are some important things to keep in mind to make sure your guitar keeps working as it should.

Brian Michael
June 13, 2013

How to Replace the Nut on an Acoustic Guitar

For one reason or another, a nut will occasionally need to be replaced, and many guitarists can do this themselves.

Erick Coleman
November 16, 2012

acoustic guitar truss rod adjustment illustration

How to Adjust an Acoustic Guitar Truss Rod

Your truss rod needs adjustment when the neck of your guitar has too much or too little upbow or too much backbow. Here's how to do it yourself.

Dan Erlewine
November 16, 2012

Adjusting Your Action on Acoustic Guitar

If your action feels wrong and the neck has been properly adjusted, it is time to look at the saddle.

Harry Fleishman
November 16, 2012

Guitar Fingerboard Maintenance

Because an acoustic guitar’s fingerboard generally doesn’t have finish applied to it, it should be cleaned with a method slightly different from the one you use on the body

Teja Gerken
November 15, 2012

Know Your Gear: Do-It-Yourself Acoustic Guitar Setup

Few things make an acoustic guitarist’s day quite like playing a freshly set up guitar. Suddenly your ax feels like butter. Here are some tips on DIY guitar setups.

Rick Turner
November 15, 2012

Demonstration for cleaning acoustic guitar

How to Clean Your Guitar

Learn the differences between commercial polishes and cleaners and get the low-down on how to clean your instrument without scratching the finish.

Frank Ford
November 15, 2012

Cleaning Your Guitar’s Fingerboard

If the dirt buildup is really bad, wiping with a damp cloth won’t suffice. Use some extra-fine wool to scrub gently across the fretboard, parallel to the frets.

Frank Ford
October 16, 2012