Sometimes you can use whatever’s handy to plug a hole; toothpick, dowel, or whatever. Sometimes, though, actually cutting a plug is the better way to go. Check out the pros and cons…
Read MoreIf you set your string action by ensuring the bottoms of each string are a consistent distance from the frets, doesn’t that mean the tops of the strings are now inconsistent because of the different string diameters? Is this a problem? Do you need to be concerned?
Read MoreAnother look at the integrated saddle/piezo pickup. You’ll most often find these in Takamine guitars but there are variants around. Like this Epiphone pickup. The action needed a little finessing here and this version presented it’s own challenges.
Read MoreKeep those strings out of your way when you work on your guitar. It’s easy (easier) with string spreaders.
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Read MoreNeed to repair a really screwed-up nut slot? Can’t replace the original and have to work with what you have? Slot too damaged for the baking-soda-and-superglue trick? Well, I may have just the thing for you… Bone grafts.
Read MoreNut slot too low? The baking soda and superglue trick can really get you out of a hole pretty quickly. It’s best as a temporary repair but can sometimes work longer term too.
Check it out…
Read MorePaper or cardboard is usually a terrible, tone-sucking material to use as a shim. Unless you learn this one cool trick that Big Nut doesn’t want you to know. You won’t believe what happens next! 😉
Nah, seriously… It’s good.
Read MoreA nut with a low slot (or slots) is a pain. It buzzes when you play the open string and sounds generally awful. You could replace it with a nice new nut but, sometimes you’re in a hurry or on a budget.
Enter the shim…
Read MoreCan you reverse a shim to give your guitar a forward neck angle? Should you do this? Is there a benefit. Are some builders using this secret trick to improve their guitars?
Read MoreWhy do some guitars have necks that angle back towards the player while some don’t? What’s the reason for this angled neck? Do we even need it?
Read MoreApplying your own logo or design to your build or parts-caster feels fantastic. And it’s not so difficult. Say hello to the water-slide decal.
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Read MoreWE’ve looked a some methods to remove a worn or broken screw. These have mostly involved gripping the screw in some way to try unscrew it from the guitar. But what if there’s just no way to grip the screw? What’s the thing we leave until the very end to try?
Check it out…
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