Become Your Own Guitar Tech: Basic Tools and Tricks

I've been a guitar player for decades but only recently became serious about working on my instruments. In my research, I’ve found hundreds of articles about instrument repair, and while many are fantastic and chock full of information that’s invaluable to musicians, a lot is impractical or requires more space or specialized tools than most of us have. Plus, some repairs, such as fretwork, nut replacement, under-saddle pickup installation and finish repairs are best left to professionals.

This isn’t to say you shouldn’t work on your own guitars, only that you should know your limits, which in many instances are related to having the right tools. What I found most challenging when getting started was knowing what tools I should buy, and which were not worth the money based on my skill level.

From trial and error, I found what some repairs were simple and small-space friendly. Any of the repairs discussed can be done with just a clean and level space. All of these techniques will easier with the purchase of a guitar work mat with neck rest, although a rolled up towel to support the neck will work well in most instances.

Here’s an overview of some basic guitar repairs that any serious guitar player should be able to tackle and a list of tools necessary to accomplish them. In future stories, we’ll dig into these repairs in greater detail.

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