The Lanikai LU-21 Soprano Ukulele

While you can buy a Ukulele for as little as $19.00,  The Lanikai LU-21 Soprano Ukulele is a real musical instrument and not a toy.   This musical instrument is well constructed and has a  nice rosewood fretboard.  I recommend this as an affordable, durable musical instrument.  The Lanikai  Ukulele is easy to play and has a very nice sound.  Check out this Ukulele available at Amazon.  Lanikai LU-21 Soprano Ukulele

Posted in Buying Tips | Tagged ukulele | Leave a comment

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

Posted in How To, Repair | Tagged guitar repair | Leave a comment

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.

Posted in How To | Tagged guitar fret board | Leave a comment

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.

Posted in How To | Tagged guitar maintenance | Leave a comment

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.

Posted in How To | Tagged guitar strings | Leave a comment

Musical Instruments Bass – Alembic Bass Guitars

The Alembic Guitar Company started in 1969 making the finest bass guitars.  These bass guitars are works of art; they are made from the finest pieces of wood.  While known best for their bass guitars they also make guitars, preamps, and pick-ups.   Alembic started the era of fine custom-made bass guitars.  They pioneered active electronics (the guitars have a preamp and battery built in).  Having a preamp built into your bass guitar gives you a wide choice of sounds and rich full tones.  Alembic Guitar Company invented a lot of advanced circuitry for the bass guitar including phase cancellation.  They engineered their phase cancellation by putting a pick-up deep in the body of the guitar.  This is used to pick up the overtones that the strings produce in the wood and cancel out those tones or “phases”.

Posted in Bass | Tagged custom bass guitars | Leave a comment

Easy Guitar Lesson – Guitar for Beginners 2

When learning to play the guitar, take your guitar in to a guitar tech periodically.  The technician will check out your guitar to make sure it is playing properly and in tune.  As a new guitar student you may be unaware of issues that could make your guitar harder to play.   The easier your guitar is to play, the more you will practice.  Have fun playing your guitar.

Posted in Lessons | Tagged learn to play guitar | Leave a comment

Guitar String Maintenance

Wipe off your guitar and guitar strings with a soft cloth after each time you play.  Keeping the oil and grease from your hands off your guitar strings will make them last a lot longer.
Fender makes the best polishing cloth ever! Available at amazon  Fender by Meguire’s Ultimate Wipe Detailing Cloth.

Posted in Lessons | Tagged guitar strings | Leave a comment

Guitar Pick-Ups – Guitar for Beginners

As a new guitar player you don’t need to spend a lot of money on your guitar pick-ups.  The difference between a $15.00 pick-up and a $150.00 guitar pick-up is very subtle.  While this difference matters to a seasoned professional, for the beginner guitar player it really doesn’t make a difference.

Posted in Lessons | Tagged guitar pick-ups | Leave a comment

Easy Guitar Lesson – Guitar for Beginners

When playing your guitar, practice using all your fingers.  This exercise will make you a good guitar player.  Keep your thumb on the back of the guitar neck about in the middle.  Keep your wrist low.  Your arm should meet the neck of the guitar at a 90 degree angle.  This may mean to stick your elbow out slightly.

Posted in Learn to Play | Tagged Easy Guitar Lesson | Leave a comment