When can you get away with a fret level and when do you need to go all out and refret an instrument? There's a time and a place for both jobs. Read on to get a feeling for when you might need to pull the trigger on a full refret…

Guitar RepairGerry Hayes22 January 2018refret, fret, crown, fret level, setup, neck, guitar, bass

When you shouldn't setup your guitar

There are times that I will advise a player AGAINST having their guitar setup. There are times when every repairer/tech should do this.

Find out why…

SetupGerry Hayes15 January 2018frets, refret, fret level, setup, guitar, bass, action, relief, fret wear, intonation

Brian May and the Zero Fret Controversy

After the last article on fret wear, I was surprised to get some responses refuting my statement that a zero fret would (all things being equal) wear more quickly than other frets.

It seems that Brian May is partly to blame for this. Well, not quite. Check it out…

Guitar RepairGerry Hayes8 January 2018frets, refret, zero fret, fret level, brian may, red special, premier guitar, wear, fret wear, detective, guitar, bass

DeArmond Treasure Trove

Check it out. A treasure trove of Rowe-DeArmond information. This is what the web was made for.

HousekeepingGerry Hayes3 January 2018dearmond, rowe, termolo, pickups, pickup, web site

Thank you

HousekeepingGerry Hayes22 December 2017christmas, holiday

Frets are consumables

Frets don't last forever. They're essentially a consumable item; designed to wear and expire as they're used.

Recognise the signs of fret-wear and a couple of things that will speed it.

Click to read more…

Guitar RepairGerry Hayes4 December 2017frets, refret, fret level, crown, setup, guitar, bass, neck, fingerboard, intonation, fret wear

Sketchy Setups on sale for Black Friday

All this talk of Black Friday sales has prompted me to do something too.

So, all Sketchy Setups guides (including the already discounted bundle) are 20% off for Black Friday. Just use code crazyblackfriday at checkout

Don't dilly-dally. That code is crazyblackfriday

Buy Now or read more.

Books, SetupGerry Hayes24 November 2017guitar, bass, setup, DIY, intonation, action, relief, truss rod, book, ebook, guide, sketchy setups

How a visit to Haze Guitars works

Repair appointments here at Haze Guitars work a little differently than most other places.

The very short story is:

Book an appointment
Drop your instrument at your appointment time.
Collect your instrument in a day, or maybe two.

If you want, you can stop reading here.

However, for a little more information and context on the process, you might find the following useful.

HousekeepingGerry Hayes21 November 2017appointments, diary, repair, guitar, bass, seutp, housekeeping, book

Weird drawings 'n' stuff

I'm going to share my secret hobby with you.

And then, because of my many deep and crippling insecurities, we will never speak of it again.

Deal?

HousekeepingGerry Hayes20 November 2017t-shirt, merch, merchandise, conan, paul mccartney, david bowie, yamaha ns-10, weird stuff, drawings

Want some recommendations for choosing a pickup?

Obviously, as someone who installs pickups regularly, I often get asked for some recommendations. Players are considering an upgrade or swap and will hit me up for some advice on the tone of this or that pickup, or whether a particular pickup will suit the style they're going for. You know the sort of thing.

Click through and check out my advice…

Guitar WiringGerry Hayes13 November 2017pickup, guitar, bass, seymour duncan, dimarzio, bare knuckle, humbucker, single coil, alnico, wiring, installation

Follow-Up: HPL and Laminate Wood Instruments

Just a quick follow-up from the last post regarding the problems repairing HPL guitars.

Well, it wouldn't be fair not to mention that instruments made with laminated ood can lso have 'mismatched splintering' problems if they break.

Guitar RepairGerry Hayes7 November 2017repair, laminate, plywood, solid wood, acoustic, guitar, touch-up, crack, splinters, hpl

What you should know about High-Pressure Laminate (HPL) guitars

HPL, or High-Pressure Laminate materials are becoming more commonplace in guitar construction. Martin Guitars, in particular, have a line made partially, or almost completely, from HPLs.

As a guitar construction material, there are a lot of advantages. But, in order to go into this with your eyes open, you should be aware of one disadvantage.

Check it out…

Guitar RepairGerry Hayes6 November 2017repair, HPL, high-pressure laminate, martin, acoustic, tonewood, wood, alternative materials, side, glue, epoxy