Keeping an instrument in playable condition.
5
votes
1answer
167 views
Should I replace unwound strings on my acoustic guitar as often as the wound ones?
The wound strings wear off quite fast, and start sounding dull even faster, so I replace them quite often. But whenever I do so, I replace the unwound strings as well, even though at that point, they ...
5
votes
2answers
149 views
Keyboard keys failing.
I have a Roland EM-1B and some keys are failing... I disassembled it, and the sensors are working correctly, even with velocity. If I press them directly with my fingers they work, also in locations ...
4
votes
7answers
143 views
What to have in mind when traveling by plane with my guitar?
I have to travel by plane to another country in a few months, and I want to bring my guitar with me. I have doubts with what should I do to ensure that my guitar arrives safe and in perfect condition.
...
4
votes
5answers
170 views
What am I doing wrong when tuning the violin using a web application?
I don't know anything about violins, and I won't have time for a tutor until much later.
When attempting to tune my violin, I was advised to get a digital violin tuner. Alright. But before I go get ...
4
votes
3answers
979 views
Acoustic Guitar Intonation Adjustments
Simply put, how does one adjust it. I have a low-end acoustic where the intonation seems to be out by quite a bit and I'd like to adjust it.
It comes down to adjusting string size or length, so I ...
4
votes
3answers
538 views
How do I clean the windway on my recorder?
I have a plastic soprano recorder about ten years old. Over the years its accumulated some dirt or something in the windway. it has a straight windway. What is the best way to clean it out? Could any ...
4
votes
2answers
312 views
Acoustic guitar, chip in rosette wood, how to avoid in future?
I was performing this afternoon when I felt a sharp pain in my right thumb. I looked down, and there was a big hunk of wood (about half an inch long) sticking out from my right thumbnail. There was a ...
4
votes
1answer
163 views
Can playing in cold weather damage a drum set / skins?
My set is in the garage, and now that it's winter, temperatures have been between 10 C and -10 C (50 F and 14 F).
Is it OK to play the drums at such low temperatures, or will it cause damage to the ...
4
votes
1answer
168 views
What are good oils to use on a neck that has been stripped of veneer?
I would like to strip the veneer off of the back side of a strat's neck - I'm guessing that, like furniture, I would need to lock in/out the moisture so that the neck won't warp. Any oils work better ...
3
votes
2answers
133 views
Guitar's individual bridge saddle intonation cannot be adjusted further
I picked up a cheap (used) guitar on which the intonation was all out of wack. I've followed the instructions in this answer about fixing the intonation using the adjuster screws on the bridge. My ...
3
votes
10answers
2k views
Strange guitar warble sound
I have a Jackson Dinky DK2M with two Seymour Duncan Humbucker pickups and a floyd rose tremolo on it.
It is producing a strange `warble' noise on G string, especially on higher frets like 12th, 15th, ...
3
votes
3answers
1k views
How do you access the electronics on a hollow-body electric guitars ?
Some models of electric hollow-body / electric arch-top guitars do not have seem to have any kind of access to the electronics (switches, pots, caps, wiring) beside the "f" shaped sound holes.
I ...
3
votes
1answer
570 views
After re-stringing acoustic guitar my action feels way off.
I recently bought an acoustic guitar, and it had this beautiful action on it. I've restrung it recently (same gauge strings) and now there's a very noticeable difference in playability. Is this ...
3
votes
3answers
188 views
What is the best way to remove a broken bridge pin?
I decided to give my guitar a well deserved clean, but when I came to remove the low E string, the bridge pin was a bit stuck so I resorted to using pliers, which turns out to have been a very bad ...
3
votes
1answer
370 views
Acoustic guitar damaged by impact. How to repair?
Introduction
My acoustic guitar has suffered damage at four locations. It still sounds very good, and it is more than twenty years old.
The damage done
The different damage locations are pictured ...
3
votes
2answers
928 views
Is it safe to use guitar polish everywhere on the guitar?
I have owned my first electric guitar for half a year and have only been cleaning it with a damp cloth (without any cleaning agent). Since I'm going to change strings, I think it might be a good time ...
3
votes
1answer
108 views
Should I take the weather into account when I replace guitar strings?
I have been told that the strings in a guitar should be replaced at least every six months (I know this can be subjective).
I have a classical guitar which has been several years with the same ...
3
votes
1answer
205 views
How often should electric guitars be serviced?
I have an electric guitar that I play from time to time. Should I be giving it 'maintenance services' or only if something goes wrong?
3
votes
2answers
85 views
Effect of Rubbing Alcohol Upon Reeds
Apparently it is common to briefly soak reeds in rubbing alcohol to disinfect them. This could be due to sickness, reed-sharing, etc.
Any thoughts on how damaging this would be to the cane?
3
votes
1answer
249 views
Proper maintenance for classic guitars?
I have had my classic for about two years, and don't do anything to it other than wiping dust off the guitar and replacing the strings when needed(about every month or so).
I've had a sponge type of ...
2
votes
3answers
94 views
Piano Maintenance
What should be done to maintain an upright piano?
I am not asking about tuning it, but what can be done so it does not have to be tuned as often?
I heard someone once say about a particular piano ...
2
votes
2answers
81 views
Is it a bad idea to attach my strap just above the nut?
This question is mainly for my banjo but it seems to apply to my guitar as well. For me it is most comfortable to have the left end of the strap attached to just above the nut on the neck. Is this a ...
2
votes
2answers
36 views
Drumkit maintenance
I was reading questions randomly and this one grabbed my attention:
Piano Maintenance
Accordingly, you put glasses of water in the piano to help keep the humidity steady, so that its wood lasts ...
2
votes
3answers
221 views
Damaged tremolo arm hole in Edge 3 bridge…
just got a new Ibanez that has an Edge 3 trem in it.
The difficulty I'm having is that there appears to be a piece of plastic that goes around the circumference of the hole where the arm is inserted ...
2
votes
1answer
50 views
Is there any PC software that I can use to help edit Roland RD700NX sets/perform maintenance?
I've just downloaded the V2 software for my RD 700NX and see the RD-NX Editor seems to only work on the iPad. I've searched and can't find anything, but does anyone know of any way to edit my ...
1
vote
2answers
298 views
Voice trills unintentionally when singing high-pitched notes
I'm not an experienced singer, so I suppose I've got plenty of knowledge missing when it comes to keeping my voice in shape. Whenever I try to sing a high-pitched note, my voice inadvertently starts ...
1
vote
1answer
160 views
Cleaning a harmonica with a blocked note
I have a harmonica which was given to be as a gift, I have no proper experience playing and maintaining a harmonica, nor do I still have the instructions. I could blow all 9 notes but the 10th. When I ...
1
vote
1answer
468 views
Remove Mouthpiece Tarnish
I have a fifty year old F.E. Olds & Sons Ambassador cornet. It lay unused for 30+ years (it is now oiled and greased properly). There is considerable tarnish on the mouthpiece and on the slides. ...
0
votes
1answer
58 views
Adding a new pot to my guitar
I am willing to add another tone potentiometer to my guitar and I wanted to know what is the best way to add a hole in the pickguard for the new pot.
Is there a dedicated tool for this task? What is ...
0
votes
2answers
313 views
How do I figure out whether my guitar tuning machine heads are failing on me?
What are the symptoms of low quality guitar machine heads? I know it can be the nut that's causing the problem, but besides that, how can I know whether changing the machine heads will help my guitar ...
