Category Archives: How To

How To

Right Hand on Automatic, Guitar lesson how to strum a guitar Strumming Techniques

 
How to strum a guitar, strumming technique, right hand on Automatic.

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How to make a super sounding guitar

When choosing your wood, if you could split your wood rather than having it cut it would split along the grain and be straight in all three planes.  When you cut wood on a saw you generally do not have straight grain in one parallel.  Grain that is straight in all three planes will produce a far superior instrument.

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How to String your Guitar, Acoustic, Electric, Fender, Gibson, All

Watch and learn how to video:  String your Guitar, Acoustic, Electric, Fender, Gibson, any and all makes and models.  Click Triangle to start video.


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String your guitar tips advice finished photo

String your Guitar

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Guitar Glue

Traditionally guitars were put together with hide glue.  Since 1970 much advancement has been made in the adhesive industry.  Contrary to popular belief, the best glue to use to repair a guitar is wood glue.  Not superglue, epoxy or polyester.  The Franklin Titebond Company makes very high quality wood glue that will repair your guitar and make it stronger than the wood itself.  When repairing your guitar or bass guitar with wood glue it must be clamped tightly following the manufacturers drying times.  Be careful not to clamp too tightly causing all the glue to be pressed out.   Wipe off any excess glue before it dries.  It is not good to use a wet cloth because doing so will compromise the integrity of the bond.
Franklin International Titebond III Ultimate Wood Glue, 8-Ounces #1413

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Rosewood Guitar and Bass Guitar Fret Boards

Rosewood is a wood that grows in Brazil and India.  It has a very think resin in the wood that protects it.  This resin is the reason why they use rosewood to make guitar fret boards, bass guitar fret boards and bridges.    There is no need to put any type of finish on your guitar fret board.  Especially thick oils like linseed oil that will leave a sticky residue on your fret board.  Oil finishes will only collect dirt.  The resin in rosewood protects the wood better than any finish that could be applied.

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Musical Instrument Oil

Musical instrument oil is highly refined so it doesn’t smell or taste when used on wind instruments.  This is the best oil to use when oiling the bridge pieces and machine heads on your guitar or bass guitar.  It is especially important to oil the machine heads on a bass guitar because there is so much tension on the gears.  Purchase trumpet valve oil to use on your guitar and bass guitar.  Using this oil will keep your guitar well lubricated and will not leave an odor in your guitar case.

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Restringing your Guitar and Bass Guitar

When replacing the strings on your guitar, stretch the string out to the capstan and cut it off about 2 ½ inches longer.    Wrap your guitar string three to four times around the capstan and do not overlap the string working from top to bottom.  Three turns will prevent your guitar string from slipping.  If the guitar stings overlap they will bend out of shape and it will be difficult to keep your guitar in tune.  While it may be controversial the proper way to restring your guitar, this is the way it is done by every guitar manufacturer.  It is a simple and fast procedure, and makes the stings easy to remove.

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Acoustic Guitar Strings

To have a good sounding acoustic guitar the top of the guitar and the guitar braces must be thin. Guitar manufacturers have engineered acoustic guitars for 12-gauge guitar strings. The bride saddle has been compensated for 12-gauge guitar strings. Using the recommended guitar string will make your guitar play in tune.  Acoustic guitars must have bronze strings because they sound better on acoustic guitars than steel and nickel strings that are made for electric guitars.  I recommend using the plain bronze (as opposed to phosphorus bronze) guitar strings by D’addario.  Available here at Amazon D’addario EXP11 Light 80/20 Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings

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Guitar String Lesson

Some people when putting on a new set of guitar strings or bass guitar strings grab the string in the middle and stretch it out. This is a very bad idea. Guitar strings are made out of high carbon steel or nickel, these metals are not meant to be stretched out. When you pull on the guitar string, you make the string thinner in the middle and fatter on the ends. Stretching the guitar string this way will cause your guitar to not play evenly in tune on all your frets.

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Tips for Compensating the Acoustic Guitar

Sometimes when you put a new set of guitar strings on an acoustic guitar it won’t play perfectly in tune. It can be necessary to use a different gauge guitar string. For example, if a 24-gauge guitar string will not play perfectly in tune you might need to change to a 23-gauge guitar string or possibly a 25-gauge. Different thicknesses of strings will increase in pitch at different tensions, a small change in guitar strings can compensate for minor pitch discrepancies. Electric guitars have an individual saddle for each guitar string that is adjustable. This allows you to calibrate your electric guitar. You do not have that option on an acoustic guitar.

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