Repair

No-Brainer Mods 2019!

April 11, 2019

Derek Ness

Three entry-level axes and the DIY projects that turn them into secret weapons for the stage and studio.

Tone Tips: Keep It Quiet

January 14, 2019

Pete Thorn

Looking for and alleviating the sounds you don’t want coming from your rig.

Wizard of Odd: Resetting the Neck on a ’50s Stella Electric

January 9, 2019

Frank Meyers

When a guitar looks the part, but isn’t really playable, it’s time to call the pros.

Mod Garage: Working with Wire

December 28, 2018

Dirk Wacker

What are the best tools and practices for wiring a guitar? And what’s up with “push-back” wire? Glad you asked.

Signal to Noise: Demystifying the Tube Rectifier

December 16, 2018

Steven Fryette

Exactly how does this glowing bottle affect your tone?

Bass Bench: The World of Finishes

October 12, 2018

Heiko Hoepfinger

Wood requires protection—especially from moisture—and there are many ways to get the job done.

Mod Garage: Fighting Fret Wear

June 22, 2018

Dirk Wacker

What does a vintage barber shop have in common with advanced fret maintenance?

Mod Garage: Breakthrough! Electroswitch’s New 6-Way Strat Switch

April 27, 2018

Dirk Wacker

Now it’s easier than ever to add that missing Tele-inspired dual-pickup configuration to your Strat.

Acoustic Soundboard: Just Say No to Cracks

April 23, 2018

Bryan Galloup

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.

Ask Amp Man: Tone Tweaks for a Carvin Series III X

April 6, 2018

Jeff Bober

Bolstering an amp that boogied its way alongside the ’80s competition from Petaluma.

Mod Garage: How to Shield Single-Coil Pickup Covers

March 2, 2018

Dirk Wacker

Can you get benefits of shielding without sacrificing high-frequency shimmer? Where there’s a will, there’s a way.

Cheap Thrills! 12 Hacks Under $12

February 16, 2018

Andy Ellis

It’s easy to repurpose everyday items to help you maintain your equipment and play better. Just learn to think sideways.

On Bass: Low-End Life Hacks, Part 2

January 31, 2018

Victor Brodén

Even good habits can be hard to break, but if you occasionally try, you might discover a better bass modus operandi.

The Environmentally Conscious Guitarist

January 5, 2018

Tzvi Gluckin

Sorry Kermit, it is easy being green. From recycling and repurposing old gear, to the larger movement for harvesting sustainable woods, we explore ways players can soften their impact on the natural world.

What’s in a Neck?

November 30, 2017

Dan Formosa

If you’re lucky, your guitar neck can feel as familiar and comfortable as an old pair of jeans, but there’s more to it than meets the eye. Discover the ABCs—make that the CUVs—of this crucial appendage.

Bass Bench: Horror Stories from the Repair Shop

October 6, 2017

Heiko Hoepfinger

Sometimes it makes sense to acknowledge your limitations.

Ask Amp Man: Modding for Headphones and an Effects Loop

August 4, 2017

Jeff Bober

How to use a Super Reverb, with a slew of pedals quietly looped in, for late-night practice.

Speaker Geeks: Oh! The Damage Done

July 7, 2017

C.J. Sutton

Learn how to patch a torn speaker cone and how to avoid voice-coil rub and frozen speaker syndrome.

Mod Garage: Build a Pickup Phase Tester, Part 2

June 25, 2017

Dirk Wacker

When installing replacement pickups from different manufacturers, it’s a crap shoot whether they’ll be in phase with each other. This fun DIY project helps you avoid out-of-phase nightmares.