The Basics of Guitar Repair

The guitar is an instrument that requires maintenance and repair. Whether it’s a solid body electric guitar or an acoustic, the strings of the instrument vibrate and produce sound when plucked with either fingernails (acoustic guitar) or a pick, which is then amplified by an amplifier and speaker (electric guitar). Guitar repair is a skilled trade that requires strong analytical abilities, and the ability to follow complex procedures from beginning to end.

One of the most common problems for guitars is cracking in the body, which can devalue an acoustic guitar and compromise its structural integrity. Guitar techs have to master a variety of techniques, including the use of special clamps and caulking materials to seal these cracks.

Another common issue is a loose strap button, which can be repaired by drilling out the old screw hole and filling it with wood glue before tapping in a dowel that is slightly larger than the original screw’s diameter. This method can be used to fix other dings and holes, and is especially helpful in fixing the holes where pickup mounting screws are used.

Other common repairs include refinishing the guitar and repairing any damaged parts, such as tuning machines and keys. Guitars also often need a new nut and a new saddle. Keeping up with these regular tasks ensures that the guitar plays well and sounds good, and can prevent future damage or performance issues.

If a guitar’s neck has begun to bow up or down, it may be time for the guitarist to make an adjustment on the truss rod – a metal rod inside the neck that can be adjusted by loosening and tightening the truss rod nut. This adjustment changes the curvature of the neck, and can be useful in preventing the guitar from losing its action, or becoming difficult to play.

Most acoustic guitars have nut slots that need to be cleaned up and deepened to allow proper string movement and intonation. A square of fine sandpaper or a sock with the toes cut off can be used to clean up and deepen the slots. When a string is being tuned, it’s important that the guitar’s nut slot be completely clear of any obstructions.

Guitar techs also frequently need to adjust the bridge float, which is used to set up the bridge height. A properly-adjusted float can help to eliminate the problem of hum, which occurs when the strings’ electromagnetic energy is transferred from the guitar’s bridge to the body through the output jack wire.

Most guitar owners, like their car owners, take good care of their instruments, but even the best-cared for instruments will eventually need a tune-up. It’s important for guitar owners to stay up to date on routine maintenance, and to keep their instruments in a safe environment where temperature and humidity fluctuations can’t cause damage or change the sound of their instrument. With routine maintenance and the right care, a guitar can provide decades of musical enjoyment.