Guitar Repair Guide

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

Every now and then a repair lands on my bench that reminds me why I love working on guitars—and why proper neck relief matters more than people realize. Recently, I had the pleasure of bringing a well-played Fender Precision Bass back to life after its truss rod had completely bottomed out. The Problem: A Neck That Wouldn’t Budge The owner brought in a P-Bass that had become increasingly difficult to play. The action was sky-high, the neck had developed excessive forward bow,

Every guitar that comes onto the workbench has its own story, and this week’s project features a beautifully maintained Epiphone EJ-200 – a modern tribute to one of the most iconic jumbo acoustics ever made. The owner brought it in with one clear goal: improved tone, stability, and playability through a brand-new bridge saddle. Why the Saddle Matters The saddle is one of the most underrated components of an acoustic guitar. It’s responsible for transferring the vibrations of

Tuning slippage is a common frustration for classical guitar players. You tune your guitar carefully, only to find it goes out of tune shortly after. This problem can interrupt practice sessions, affect performance quality, and discourage beginners. Understanding why classical guitars lose their tuning helps players maintain stable sound and enjoy their instrument more. Classical guitar tuning pegs and strings, close-up view How Classical Guitar Strings Affect Tuning Stabilit

When a classical acoustic guitar starts to sound dull or feels harder to play, the strings are often the first place to check. Regular restringing is essential to keep your instrument sounding its best and playing smoothly. Recently, I performed a restring service on a BM Concert classical acoustic guitar for a client, and the transformation was remarkable. This experience highlights why regular restring services are crucial for every classical guitar owner. ! Close-up view o

Gretsch G5021WPE Rancher Penguin Parlor  – and it’s every bit as classy as it looks. Finished in crisp white with gold sparkle binding , this compact parlor-sized electro-acoustic  is perfect for players who love Gretsch style in a smaller, more comfortable body. The solid spruce top  and maple back and sides  deliver a bright, articulate tone, while the Fishman preamp system  ensures it sounds just as good plugged in as it does unplugged. Whether you’re performing at local S

We’re excited to announce that we now offer repair and maintenance services for guitar effects pedal units!  Whether it’s a beloved overdrive that’s lost its tone or a delay pedal that’s gone silent, we can help bring your gear back to life. Our in-house technician James , an experienced electronics repair specialist, now provides diagnostics, component replacement, and calibration  for a wide range of pedal types — including analog, digital, boutique, and vintage models. Wha

If your guitar feels rough when you bend strings or play up the neck, it’s time for a fret polish . At [Your Business Name] , we offer professional fret polishing in Southampton  that restores smooth playability, improves tone, and extends the life of your instrument. Why Fret Polishing Matters Over time, frets develop oxidation, dirt, and micro-scratches  that can make playing uncomfortable and dull your tone. A fret polish removes these imperfections, leaving your frets cle

As the morning arrives, with coffee in hand we are onto our next project. Currently working on this Chinese made 'Gibson'. The old nut looked as though someone had just thrown it into place and dressed it down with a chainsaw. So that was our first port of call, a new bone nut. After that, we lemon oiled the fingerboard and polished out the fretwork. We popped on a new set of Ernie Ball Slinkys (10 - 46) and then installed a set of volume and tone knobs, as the existing set w

In the world of music, choosing the right instrument can feel like a thrilling adventure. Whether you are an experienced musician or just starting out, having access to quality instruments is essential. We are excited to announce that we have expanded our offerings beyond our website and are now selling a diverse range of musical instruments on Vinted! This expansion allows us to connect with more music enthusiasts and provide them the tools they need to express their creativ

One of the things I love most about running my guitar repair workshop here in Southampton  is the thrill of discovering hidden gems — especially in local charity shops  around the city. There’s something special about finding an instrument that’s been sitting quietly for years, just waiting for someone to bring it back to life. On a recent visit to Oxfam in Southampton , I spotted this beautiful Chord electric guitar  for just £70 . The soft sky-blue finish instantly caught m

When buying second-hand musical instruments, postage is often overlooked but is just as critical as the instrument itself. The right delivery method ensures your new guitar, piano, or violin arrives safe and sound. In this post, we will explore the various postage options for our second-hand musical instrument range. This way, you can choose the best delivery method tailored to your needs, ensuring a smooth purchase experience. Why Postage Matters Postage plays a vital role i

Are you ready to embark on your musical journey in Southampton?  Whether you’re a beginner, an advanced player, or simply someone who...

Every guitar needs a proper setup to play its best — but electric and acoustic guitars  require slightly different care. ⚡ Electric Guitar Setups Electric guitars have adjustable bridges, pickups, and truss rods , so a setup often includes: Adjusting action and intonation Setting pickup height  for balanced tone Checking neck relief  and fret level A well-done setup makes your electric feel smoother and stay perfectly in tune across the neck. 🎵 Acoustic Guitar Setups Acousti

If your guitar feels hard to play or buzzes no matter how you tune it, the problem might be in the neck relief  — the slight forward curve built into your guitar neck. Getting this curve right is key to a smooth, buzz-free setup. 🔧 What Is Neck Relief? Neck relief is the tiny amount of bow  in your guitar’s neck that lets the strings vibrate freely. Too much curve (bowed neck) raises your action and makes playing tough. Too little curve (back-bowed neck) can cause fret buzz

Tuning pegs (or machine heads ) do more than just set your pitch — they affect tuning stability, feel, and even your guitar’s look....

Purchasing a new musical instrument, whether it's a guitar, bass, violin, or amplifier, brings an unmatched thrill. However, this...