Dave Helmer

Dave Helmer has diplomas in both guitar repair and building, and development and production from the Red Wing technical luthier program. He works full-time as a luthier in eastern Iowa, and is a songwriter/guitarist who fronts the band Crystal City.

Helmer's How-Tos

Helmer's How-Tos: 8 Steps to Float Your Strat Trem

Guitar & Bass Mods

DIY: Seven Ways to Soup Up Your New Guitar

Luthier Dave Helmer shows you how to cure buzzy strings, bad intonation, gnarly frets, high action, and other common troubles with off-the-shelf axes.

DIY

Paranormal Guitar Mods That’ll Rock Your DIY World

How we turned three affordable Squier, Ibanez, and Yamaha axes into custom instruments like no other.

DIY

Sol Philcox-Littlefield Rig Rundown Guitar Gear Tour

Site Navigation

Dave Helmer

DIY: How to Adjust Your Guitar's Neck Relief & Truss Rod—Plus, Fix Your Action | Helmer’s How-Tos

Helmer's How-Tos: 8 Steps to Float Your Strat Trem

DIY: Seven Ways to Soup Up Your New Guitar

Luthier Dave Helmer shows you how to cure buzzy strings, bad intonation, gnarly frets, high action, and other common troubles with off-the-shelf axes.

Paranormal Guitar Mods That’ll Rock Your DIY World

How we turned three affordable Squier, Ibanez, and Yamaha axes into custom instruments like no other.

No-Brainer Mods 2020

Three bold projects for DIY-ers tired of the tame.

Sol Philcox-Littlefield Rig Rundown Guitar Gear Tour

Latest Stories

Start your day right!

Dave Helmer

DIY: How to Adjust Your Guitar's Neck Relief & Truss Rod—Plus, Fix Your Action | Helmer’s How-Tos

Helmer's How-Tos: 8 Steps to Float Your Strat Trem

DIY: Seven Ways to Soup Up Your New Guitar

Luthier Dave Helmer shows you how to cure buzzy strings, bad intonation, gnarly frets, high action, and other common troubles with off-the-shelf axes.

Paranormal Guitar Mods That’ll Rock Your DIY World

How we turned three affordable Squier, Ibanez, and Yamaha axes into custom instruments like no other.

No-Brainer Mods 2020

Three bold projects for DIY-ers tired of the tame.