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

Enter to Win the Vintage-Voiced Cort Essence GA4 Guitar

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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.

Enter to Win the Vintage-Voiced Cort Essence GA4 Guitar

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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.