For beginners and advanced players alike, guitars and steel strung instruments can sonetimes be far harder to play than they need to be. String action is not always set up for best playability, chords can sound out of tune, holding down the strings near the nut can be uncomfortable, rattles and buzzes spoil the sound... I could go on... I am an experienced player who can set instruments up to sound and play at their best and carry out essential upgrades at modest cost.
The standard set-up
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A standard set-up job on acoustic instruments includes setting the action (adjusting the truss rod and string height at nut and bridge), a light fret dress and polish, clean and oil the fingerboard and fit new strings. Where appropriate, the intonation of adjustable bridges can be checked and adjusted.
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... an unplayable guitar!
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Fret jobs
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When badly worn a complete or partial set of new frets might be the only option. For new builds I am a fan of Jescar EVO wire - hardwearing and really good to look at. but any fret type can be replaced and finished to a high standard.
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A Martin with deeply notched frets...
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... frets pulled...
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...and replaced so the instrument can be re-set up like new!
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Bridges and nuts
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Sometimes action and playability needs a new nut or bridge saddle. I can replace worn plastic nuts and bridge saddles with bone, corian or TUSQ!
Instruments with adjustable floating bridges such as mandolins can benefit from retrofitting a lightweight solid bridges which increase volume, projection and and sustain. |
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Tuners/machine heads
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Smooth tuners with a high gear ratio are not only a joy to use but provide far greater accuracy and stability. Budget tuners are often more difficult to use than they need to be and all tuners wear out in time and become sloppy. I am a fan of Schaller Grandtune and Gotoh tuners, and can supply and fit these or any other preferences at a reasonable cost.
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Pickups and electrics
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Pckups on electric instruments can be fitted or repaired, and upgrade pickups of all types installed into acoustic instruments. Own a strat/tele? LIndy Fralin pickups (sweet clear and springy!) are often a recommended option..... Acoustics? K&K, Fishman and LR Baggs are about as good you can get...
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Cosmetic repairs
I can repair most minor faults such as chips, dings, cracks etc - call for an appraisal and advice.
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A heavily damaged top needing attention to prevent possible splitting in the future. Some might call this mojo, battle scars whatever but here the preferred option was fill and partial refinish.
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Refinishes
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If there is no other option, instruments can be refinished - Traditional thin nitrocellulose or oil finishes are a speciality - call for free advice and appraisal
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Restorations - a cautionary note
I sometimes get enquiries about restoring antique instruments, paricularly bowl-back mandolins. The costs of refretting, or resetting the neck and other common repairs are likel;y to be very high compared to the value of the instrument, unless it is from a famous maker or of historic or sentimental value. Restoring a worn out antique to a playable working instrument is rarely worthwhile let alone cost-effective and my advice is go find a secondhand modern instrument (or buy one of mine LOL!!) if you really want to play and progress.