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Choosing the right bass guitar strings can transform your playing experience. The strings you pick affect your tone, playability, and even how long your strings last. With so many options available, finding the best bass guitar strings for your style and instrument can feel overwhelming. This guide breaks down everything you need to know to make an informed choice. Different types of bass guitar strings on a fretboard Understanding Bass Guitar Strings Bass guitar strings come

At Ryan Pearce Guitars & Basses, we’re more than just a 'from-home-business' — we’re passionate musicians and instrument experts who are dedicated to helping you find or maintain the instruments you’ll love for years. Here’s what sets us apart: Expert Craftsmanship & Honest Repairs Every repair, setup, or custom work we do is handled with care and precision. We don’t rush jobs — we make sure: Your guitar plays the way it should Buzzing, tuning and strap issues are fixed prope

The short answer is: materials, consistency, craftsmanship, and how much work is needed to make it play well . The long answer is below 👇 Materials & Components Cheap guitars Often use laminated or lower-grade woods Cheaper hardware (tuners, bridge, nut) Budget electronics and pickups Plastic nuts and saddles are common These materials keep costs down but can affect tone, tuning stability, and longevity . Expensive guitars Higher-grade or solid woods Better-quality hardwar

Buying New Guitars New guitars offer peace of mind, warranties, and the latest models. They’re a great choice if you want something untouched and predictable. Buying Used Guitars Used guitars often give better value, especially at mid-range budgets. Many of our customers are surprised at what they can afford second-hand. What We Tell Our Customers There’s no “right” answer — it depends on: Your budget Your playing level What feels right in your hands Setup Matters More Than N

Why We Love Used Guitars We’re big fans of used guitars. They often offer incredible value and character — but only if they’ve been properly checked. When customers bring in second-hand guitars, these are the key areas we always inspect. What We Check on a Used Guitar Neck Condition We check for twists, cracks, or excessive bowing. Frets Worn frets affect playability and tuning. Electronics We listen for crackles, dropouts, or intermittent faults. Hardware Tuners, bridge, and

Whether you’re chasing a warm blues tone, a searing lead, or just trying to get a clean amp to behave, the pre-amp is where the magic starts. This post breaks down what a guitar pre-amp does, how it does it, and why it matters — without getting lost in electronicese. Quick answer (in one sentence) A guitar pre-amp takes the weak signal from your guitar, boosts it to a usable level, shapes its tone (EQ and gain), and conditions it to drive the next stage (power amp, pedal, or

There’s something quietly reassuring about a well-made acoustic guitar resting in its case, and the Faith Legacy Earth Electro Acoustic  captures that feeling perfectly. Open the lid and you’re met with warm natural wood tones framed by a plush red interior—an immediate hint that this instrument is built to be both played and cherished. Classic Design, Honest Materials The Legacy Earth series is all about tradition done right. Visually, this guitar leans into a classic acoust

Every so often, a guitar comes into the workshop that reminds you why restoring instruments is so rewarding. This Signature Topaz 265 acoustic-electric  is one of those finds. I picked this guitar up recently for just £15 , and while it clearly shows signs of use and neglect, it has solid foundations and plenty of potential. Once restored, it will be heading back out into the world as a fully playable, affordable acoustic-electric — ideal for beginners, students, or anyone lo

Choosing the right pickup for your acoustic guitar can change your playing experience and sound quality dramatically. Whether you perform live, record at home, or just want to amplify your sound, understanding the difference between passive and active pickups helps you make the best choice. This post breaks down the key features, benefits, and drawbacks of each type so you can decide which suits your style and needs. ! Close-up view of an acoustic guitar body showing a passiv

Bass guitars are the backbone of many music genres, providing rhythm, depth, and groove. Yet, many players overlook one key factor that can dramatically improve their tone and playability: the bass guitar setup. A proper setup ensures the instrument performs at its best, making it easier to play and sound great in any setting. This post explores why bass guitar setups are so important and how they impact your sound and experience. Bass guitar neck and strings being adjusted f

Alto Windcraft Series 1 Saxophone Most people who visit our Southampton shop come in thinking about guitars — setups, fret levelling, pedalboards, new strings, and the occasional amp that needs some TLC. But lately, more customers have been stopping to look at another eye-catching instrument on our wall: the saxophone, with its gleaming brass curves and unmistakable presence. And the question we get all the time is: “Why does a guitar-focused shop sell saxophones?” Simple: be

ABS-Resin Clarinet When most musicians walk into our shop here in Southampton, they’re thinking about guitars — acoustic setups, fretboard cleaning, new strings, pedals, and amps. But every now and then, a customer’s eye is caught by something unexpected: the sleek black body and silver keys of a clarinet. And more often than not, they ask the same question: “Why do you sell clarinets in a guitar shop in Southampton?” The answer is simple: great music isn’t limited to six str

Music lovers and instrument enthusiasts, we have thrilling news to share. Our store now offers a carefully selected range of banjos for sale. Whether you are a beginner eager to explore new sounds or an experienced player looking to expand your collection, our new banjo selection has something for you. This post will guide you through what makes banjos special, the types we carry, and how you can find the perfect one for your musical journey. Classic wooden banjo with metal

As temperatures drop and the heat turns on indoors, the winter season brings more than just holiday cheer—it's also one of the most challenging times of year for your guitar. Whether you play acoustic, electric, or bass, cold weather and dry indoor air can quietly cause damage that leads to costly repairs later. Here’s what every guitarist should know about keeping their instrument healthy through the winter—and how our shop can help. 1. Humidity Drops, Problems Rise Winter a

Intonation Rescue: Correcting a Reversed Bridge on a Vintage-Style Hollowbody Every guitar that comes into the workshop has its own story, and this stunning red Vintage-brand hollowbody was no exception. Its owner brought it in after struggling to get the guitar to intonate properly, particularly higher up the neck. Even after adjusting the saddles as far as they would travel, the notes still rang sharp. A quick inspection revealed the culprit: the tune-o-matic style bridge h

This week in the workshop I had the pleasure of working on a Fender Newporter , part of Fender’s California Series. These guitars are known for their modern look, comfortable neck profile, and bright, balanced tone—but like any acoustic, they perform best with a proper setup. The owner brought the instrument in because the guitar had become difficult to play. The action (string height) felt too high, and one of the bridge pins had cracked. A fresh set of strings was also well

EKO Acoustic Guitar: A Complete Restoration & Setup for a Happy Client There’s something special about working on an Eko acoustic guitar. These instruments carry decades of character—warm tones, vintage charm, and often a story that makes each one unique. Recently, I had the pleasure of servicing an Eko acoustic for a client who wanted to bring new life to a guitar that had been sitting unplayed for far too long. Initial Assessment When the guitar arrived at the shop, it show

Every now and then, a guitar arrives at the workshop that reminds me why I love repair work: instruments with history, character, and plenty of potential still waiting to be brought out. This week’s project is a Kimbara FCN acoustic guitar , a classic model known for its warm tone and comfortable playability. This particular instrument came in with cosmetic wear that didn’t affect its sound—but definitely needed attention before finding a new home. Initial Condition The guita

As a guitar repair workshop, we’ve restrung, repaired, and restored thousands of nylon-string guitars—classicals, crossovers, hybrids, and everything in between. Over the years, we’ve seen every type of stringing method imaginable, from beautifully executed tie-offs to knots that could double as fishing lures. And after all that hands-on experience, we’ve come to a clear conclusion: For most players, ball-end nylon strings are a better choice than traditional tie-off strings.

In the workshop today, we had this Martin D-28 Acoustic Guitar - the neck was significantly back-bowed and requires straightening which we did with a 5mm long reach allem key wrench, (due to the truss rod nut being deep inside the sound hole). There was room for adjustment with the saddle which had been sanded to bring the string height down to a more comfortable 2mm (which is optimal action for an acoustic instrument). To help stabilise the neck and nail down the set up on t