Repair
ARTICLES
Bass Bench: From Friction Peg to Machine Head
November 8, 2019
Exploring the evolution of tuning machines, breaking down the importance of weight, placement, and gear ratios.
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Mod Garage: Goo Begone!
November 1, 2019
Behold the magic of the homemade electrolysis bath.
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Mod Garage: Three Ways to Wire a Tone Pot
August 2, 2019
How you connect the tone cap and potentiometer to the volume control has a huge effect on your sound.
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DIY Vibrato Shorting Plug for Blackface/Silverface Amps
July 31, 2019
If you own a vintage Fender amp with reverb and vibrato, you’ve probably had those moments where you think the vibrato has stopped working, only to realize that you forgot to plug in the footswitch. Luckily, there is an easy way to eliminate the need for a footswitch.
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Dial It In: Swapping Tubes
July 23, 2019
Fine-tune your tube amp’s gain structure and headroom by experimenting with preamp and phase-inverter tubes.
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Play It Smart! Must-Know Seasonal Care for Acoustics
June 11, 2019
Keep your guitar sounding great and in peak playing condition with these simple—and essential—tips for combating environmental threats.
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Mod Garage: The Blender 7-Sound Stratocaster
May 31, 2019
A virtually infinite palette of Strat tones at your fingertips? You bet.
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12 Things Guitar Techs Need to Know
May 14, 2019
Whether you want to tech for a touring band, open a repair shop, or simply maintain your own instruments, there are important things to consider before stepping into the world of 6-string repair.
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No-Brainer Mods 2019!
April 11, 2019
Three entry-level axes and the DIY projects that turn them into secret weapons for the stage and studio.
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Tone Tips: Keep It Quiet
January 14, 2019
Looking for and alleviating the sounds you don’t want coming from your rig.
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Wizard of Odd: Resetting the Neck on a ’50s Stella Electric
January 9, 2019
When a guitar looks the part, but isn’t really playable, it’s time to call the pros.
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Mod Garage: Working with Wire
December 28, 2018
What are the best tools and practices for wiring a guitar? And what’s up with “push-back” wire? Glad you asked.
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Signal to Noise: Demystifying the Tube Rectifier
December 16, 2018
Exactly how does this glowing bottle affect your tone?
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Bass Bench: The World of Finishes
October 12, 2018
Wood requires protection—especially from moisture—and there are many ways to get the job done.
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Mod Garage: Fighting Fret Wear
June 22, 2018
What does a vintage barber shop have in common with advanced fret maintenance?
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Mod Garage: Breakthrough! Electroswitch’s New 6-Way Strat Switch
April 27, 2018
Now it’s easier than ever to add that missing Tele-inspired dual-pickup configuration to your Strat.
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Acoustic Soundboard: Just Say No to Cracks
April 23, 2018
A crack on your prized guitar might feel like the end of the world, but it can be remedied if you follow a few easy guidelines.
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Ask Amp Man: Tone Tweaks for a Carvin Series III X
April 6, 2018
Bolstering an amp that boogied its way alongside the ’80s competition from Petaluma.
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Mod Garage: How to Shield Single-Coil Pickup Covers
March 2, 2018
Can you get benefits of shielding without sacrificing high-frequency shimmer? Where there’s a will, there’s a way.
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Cheap Thrills! 12 Hacks Under $12
February 16, 2018
It’s easy to repurpose everyday items to help you maintain your equipment and play better. Just learn to think sideways.
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