https://acousticguitar.com lessons, music to play, and how-tos for all guitarists Fri, 12 Jan 2024 19:21:40 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://i0.wp.com/acousticguitar.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/AG_Favicon.png?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 https://acousticguitar.com 32 32 103806923 https://acousticguitar.com/remembering-legendary-luthier-frank-ford-1944-2023/ https://acousticguitar.com/remembering-legendary-luthier-frank-ford-1944-2023/#comments Fri, 05 Jan 2024 06:15:12 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=143150 The legacy Frank leaves behind is much greater than just the story of his work—it is also a legacy of community, innovation, education, and friendship.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/remembering-legendary-luthier-frank-ford-1944-2023/feed/ 5 143150 https://acousticguitar.com/how-to-clean-a-guitar-fretboard-the-proper-and-safe-way/ https://acousticguitar.com/how-to-clean-a-guitar-fretboard-the-proper-and-safe-way/#comments Sun, 26 Nov 2023 14:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=142516 Cleaning and maintaining your fretboard can be fun and satisfying. Here are some expert tips on how to do the job the right way.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/how-to-clean-a-guitar-fretboard-the-proper-and-safe-way/feed/ 10 142516 https://acousticguitar.com/how-to-set-up-a-single-guitar-for-use-in-multiple-tunings/ https://acousticguitar.com/how-to-set-up-a-single-guitar-for-use-in-multiple-tunings/#comments Sun, 01 Oct 2023 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=141815 When setting up a guitar for a player who uses many alternate tunings, I take a slightly different approach from the usual setup job.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/how-to-set-up-a-single-guitar-for-use-in-multiple-tunings/feed/ 1 141815 https://acousticguitar.com/should-you-repair-the-crumbling-celluloid-binding-on-a-vintage-guitar/ https://acousticguitar.com/should-you-repair-the-crumbling-celluloid-binding-on-a-vintage-guitar/#comments Fri, 18 Aug 2023 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=141045 Binding replacements on vintage guitars are becoming increasingly common as more and more old celluloid turns to dust]]> https://acousticguitar.com/should-you-repair-the-crumbling-celluloid-binding-on-a-vintage-guitar/feed/ 1 141045 https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-is-it-possible-to-improve-a-guitars-tone-by-changing-tuners/ Sun, 23 Jul 2023 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=138666 Considering the physics of sound in stringed instruments, let's explore the impact that tuners can have on the tone of an acoustic guitar.]]> 138666 https://acousticguitar.com/how-to-keep-acoustic-guitar-tuners-moving-smoothly/ https://acousticguitar.com/how-to-keep-acoustic-guitar-tuners-moving-smoothly/#respond Thu, 08 Jun 2023 21:08:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=125761 Here's how to keep the tuning components on your acoustic guitar moving smoothly, from cleaning to proper lubricant selection for both modern and vintage guitars.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/how-to-keep-acoustic-guitar-tuners-moving-smoothly/feed/ 0 125761 https://acousticguitar.com/how-guitar-strings-age-and-how-to-know-when-to-change-them/ https://acousticguitar.com/how-guitar-strings-age-and-how-to-know-when-to-change-them/#comments Thu, 25 May 2023 15:02:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=135592 When to change strings is an age-old question with no clear answer, and one that I still field regularly from repair clients.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/how-guitar-strings-age-and-how-to-know-when-to-change-them/feed/ 3 135592 https://acousticguitar.com/do-pickguards-impact-guitar-tone/ https://acousticguitar.com/do-pickguards-impact-guitar-tone/#comments Thu, 18 May 2023 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=137965 Whether or not pickguards affect guitar tone is an interesting topic, and opinions vary in the field of guitar makers.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/do-pickguards-impact-guitar-tone/feed/ 2 137965 https://acousticguitar.com/how-plugging-the-soundhole-affects-an-acoustic-guitars-sound/ https://acousticguitar.com/how-plugging-the-soundhole-affects-an-acoustic-guitars-sound/#respond Thu, 04 May 2023 16:33:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=132657 Using a rubber soundhole plug is a go-to move for reducing feedback when plugging in an acoustic guitar. But what effect does it have on tone?]]> https://acousticguitar.com/how-plugging-the-soundhole-affects-an-acoustic-guitars-sound/feed/ 0 132657 https://acousticguitar.com/how-to-deal-with-bulging-soundboards-and-moldy-cases-plus-do-pickguards-impact-guitar-tone/ https://acousticguitar.com/how-to-deal-with-bulging-soundboards-and-moldy-cases-plus-do-pickguards-impact-guitar-tone/#respond Wed, 19 Apr 2023 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=134938 AG's repair expert weighs in on a common playability issue and the only sure way to cure the moldy case blues]]> https://acousticguitar.com/how-to-deal-with-bulging-soundboards-and-moldy-cases-plus-do-pickguards-impact-guitar-tone/feed/ 0 134938 https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-how-to-diagnose-and-eliminate-common-nut-problems/ https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-how-to-diagnose-and-eliminate-common-nut-problems/#respond Thu, 13 Apr 2023 17:31:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=112647 Here's a guide to understanding the acoustic guitar nut, a critical area where a few thousandths of an inch can make a big difference in intonation and tuning stability]]> https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-how-to-diagnose-and-eliminate-common-nut-problems/feed/ 0 112647 https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-the-delicate-art-of-fretwork-and-why-its-best-left-to-a-professional/ https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-the-delicate-art-of-fretwork-and-why-its-best-left-to-a-professional/#respond Thu, 06 Apr 2023 20:44:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=122420 Whether building an instrument from scratch, restoring a collector’s item, or setting up a brand-new guitar, it’s likely that some amount of fretwork will be required.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-the-delicate-art-of-fretwork-and-why-its-best-left-to-a-professional/feed/ 0 122420 https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-can-i-use-medium-strings-on-my-prewar-martin/ https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-can-i-use-medium-strings-on-my-prewar-martin/#respond Thu, 23 Mar 2023 15:54:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=111757 Will using medium strings on a 1936 Martin D-18 put too much pressure on the the instrument over time? Ask the Expert.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-can-i-use-medium-strings-on-my-prewar-martin/feed/ 0 111757 https://acousticguitar.com/how-to-take-care-of-your-guitar-in-a-very-humid-environment/ https://acousticguitar.com/how-to-take-care-of-your-guitar-in-a-very-humid-environment/#respond Thu, 16 Mar 2023 16:45:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=131966 For those living in an overly humid environment, acoustic guitars can take on serious damage from the air around them. Here's how to take care of guitars in an extremely humid environment.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/how-to-take-care-of-your-guitar-in-a-very-humid-environment/feed/ 0 131966 https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-understanding-scale-length/ https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-understanding-scale-length/#respond Thu, 09 Mar 2023 22:24:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=115888 Here's a guide to understanding scale length on acoustic guitars, an often overlooked design variable that has a big impact on the sound and feel of the guitar. ]]> https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-understanding-scale-length/feed/ 0 115888 https://acousticguitar.com/can-a-budget-guitar-be-transformed-into-something-better/ https://acousticguitar.com/can-a-budget-guitar-be-transformed-into-something-better/#respond Thu, 16 Feb 2023 17:05:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=133375 How can you improve a budget guitar? This is a simple question with a complicated answer. To really tackle the subject, we’ll have to let's consider a few different areas.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/can-a-budget-guitar-be-transformed-into-something-better/feed/ 0 133375 https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-sound-advice-for-making-a-living-in-lutherie/ https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-sound-advice-for-making-a-living-in-lutherie/#respond Thu, 09 Feb 2023 17:23:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=119962 Thinking about a career in guitar making or repair? Here are some resources to help get you started off on the right foot.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-sound-advice-for-making-a-living-in-lutherie/feed/ 0 119962 https://acousticguitar.com/how-the-weight-of-acoustic-guitar-bodies-and-necks-affect-tone/ https://acousticguitar.com/how-the-weight-of-acoustic-guitar-bodies-and-necks-affect-tone/#respond Wed, 08 Feb 2023 14:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=134139 Balance between the neck and body of an acoustic guitar is important to the sound and playability of the instrument.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/how-the-weight-of-acoustic-guitar-bodies-and-necks-affect-tone/feed/ 0 134139 https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-whats-the-deal-with-nylon-guitar-strings/ https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-whats-the-deal-with-nylon-guitar-strings/#comments Thu, 02 Feb 2023 19:32:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=113323 Guitar repair expert Martin Keith explains the differences between steel and nylon guitar strings and shares some useful terminology.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-whats-the-deal-with-nylon-guitar-strings/feed/ 1 113323 https://acousticguitar.com/finding-and-fixing-rattles-and-buzzes-on-acoustic-guitars/ https://acousticguitar.com/finding-and-fixing-rattles-and-buzzes-on-acoustic-guitars/#comments Fri, 27 Jan 2023 17:16:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=129058 Here is an end-to-end approach for for finding and fixing those annoying rattles and buzzes on your acoustic guitar.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/finding-and-fixing-rattles-and-buzzes-on-acoustic-guitars/feed/ 1 129058 https://acousticguitar.com/heres-how-to-restring-your-guitar-with-ease/ https://acousticguitar.com/heres-how-to-restring-your-guitar-with-ease/#comments Fri, 13 Jan 2023 17:11:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=120920 All guitarists have one thing in common: we eventually need to change our strings. Here's how to restring an acoustic guitar.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/heres-how-to-restring-your-guitar-with-ease/feed/ 1 120920 https://acousticguitar.com/can-bridge-pins-enhance-your-acoustic-guitars-tone/ https://acousticguitar.com/can-bridge-pins-enhance-your-acoustic-guitars-tone/#respond Thu, 22 Dec 2022 16:56:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=128867 There are so many different materials for acoustic guitar bridge pins, but how much difference do they make in your guitar tone?]]> https://acousticguitar.com/can-bridge-pins-enhance-your-acoustic-guitars-tone/feed/ 0 128867 https://acousticguitar.com/acoustic-guitar-truss-rods-correcting-an-adjustment-gone-wrong/ https://acousticguitar.com/acoustic-guitar-truss-rods-correcting-an-adjustment-gone-wrong/#respond Thu, 17 Nov 2022 16:50:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=127803 Truss rod adjustments can make a big difference in an acoustic guitar's playability. However, even the most straightforward adjustments can have their pitfalls.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/acoustic-guitar-truss-rods-correcting-an-adjustment-gone-wrong/feed/ 0 127803 https://acousticguitar.com/how-to-avoid-string-tension-problems-on-vintage-parlor-guitars/ https://acousticguitar.com/how-to-avoid-string-tension-problems-on-vintage-parlor-guitars/#comments Thu, 20 Oct 2022 16:24:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=130554 Should you be concerned about string tension on parlor guitars from the early 1900s? Considering that very few of these instruments have truss rods, it's a valid worry.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/how-to-avoid-string-tension-problems-on-vintage-parlor-guitars/feed/ 1 130554 https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-all-about-celluloid-rot-and-what-to-do-about-it/ https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-all-about-celluloid-rot-and-what-to-do-about-it/#respond Thu, 13 Oct 2022 15:46:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=114019 Celluloid rot, the degrading of the plastic used for the binding on vintage guitars, is a common occurrence. Here we take a look at why this deterioration happens.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-all-about-celluloid-rot-and-what-to-do-about-it/feed/ 0 114019