Fender Acoustic – Setup with lower action

There’s nothing worse than trying to learn the guitar on one that’s really hard to play!  The action on this one was very high which is only ever going to give you sore fingers! Measuring up at the 12th fret the action’s way too high… The frets are a little uneven so I’ll never be […]

Fender Acoustic – Action height

I quite like these Fenders, good value for money but sometimes in need of a little extra work to make the most of them. The action on this one was just a little high… The neck also had rather too much curve in it as well, which isn’t helping much. First things first then, tighten the […]

Fender Stratocaster – Custom build

A collection of bits and pieces, put together should make a nice guitar… To make it a really great guitar, rather than just an average one I levelled the frets.  Firstly making sure the neck is level.With it nice and flat, grind down the fret tops to a common level….Once levelled each fret needs to […]

Fender Jaguar – Full setup

Always had a soft spot for the Jaguar. I don’t think it’s ever really received the credit it’s deserved, always in she shadow of it’s big brother, the Stratocaster, pity really. There was nothing much wrong with this one, it just needed a little TLC and  tweek here and there on the setup….As always I […]

US Telecaster – Cleanup

Whenever I get anything through the door there is always a thought, would I like to add this to my collection?  This was a real yes and no! Yes its really nice but no, its left handed. What it needs is a little TLC, well a lot of TLC, a good clean and a fret dress. Under […]

US Stratocaster – How low is your action!

I’m often asked for a low action, but this is probably the lowest I’ve ever seen! Actually someone’s had a go at it and the owner wants me to put it right.  I like a low action myself but this is un-playable.The tremolo is also sitting flat and locked in place… It didn’t really take a […]

Fender Stratocaster, pickup switch

I do love these, they look just fantastic. This one just has a slight problem with the pickup switch.  A slightly dry contact somewhere leading to an intermittent contact.  Switch cleaner can sometimes do the trick but ultimately the only guaranteed way is to replace it…  The new one in place… That should do the […]

US Fender Stratocaster HSS to SSS conversion

A nice US built Strat’ but the owner wanted it converted back to the standard three single coils. The most obvious thing is the pick-guard, I’ll have to get a new one of those or it will look naff.  Rather than re-use the old switch and volume pot I think it better to replace them with new […]

Fender Telecaster setup

A quiet day in the workshop today, a couple of odd bits and bobs.  Did have a rather nice Tele’ in need of a setup.  Nothing really wrong with it, just needs a tweek here and there. The neck set was a little high, so about a 1/4 turn on the truss-rod. The action at […]

Bare Knuckle Pickups

Had a mexican Strat’ on the bench today for a pickup transplant.  I think the best way to improve the sound of any Strat’ is to re-fit it with Bare Knuckle pickups.  Their range is great and they all sound fantastic..