Martin – Partial Re-Fret

Here’s a nice one.  It’s been well looked after but well used. The frets are rather worn. As ever it’s worse at the paying end. First thing first, out with the nut. and then out with the old frets.  A little heat often helps to loosen things off a little. then in with the end […]

Gretsch – Setup

I do love a big semi-acoustic. For a Chinese made guitar these are excellent value.  This one’s been fiddled around with a little though, so it needs a setup. It’s fairly new so doesn’t really need any cleaning as such, but a splash of lemon oil never goes amiss. A little polish on the top before […]

Custom Stratocaster – Build

I usually enjoy a complete guitar build, something to get my teeth into and turn out something nice.  It helps to work with the customer first mind you, to make sure I get bits that work together.  The trouble with cheaper parts, from various places it can be a bit of a challenge! At first […]

Burns Steer – Setup

What a great looking guitar.  I’ve never really liked Burns guitars but this one’s rather lovely. It’s an odd sort of thing, It’s got a sound hole, but there really isn’t any sound coming out of it? Some of the frets are a little worn…. and just a little uneven. A fret dress will sort out […]

Les Paul – Final Assembly

What a great guitar!  A friend of mine has been working on an Epiphone Les Paul.  He’s done some fantastic work on the finish.  It’s a gorgeous satin finish with just enough of the natural wood showing through.  Pity, but the photographs don’t really do it justice!  I was called in at the last minute […]

Martin – Bone nut and saddle

How does your guitar sound?  One simple improvement is to replace the existing nut and saddle with bone ones… I’m a traditionalist and I really like traditional bone nuts and saddles. To make sure I get the size exactly right I need to get the action setup properly first.   The neck was a little […]