Keeping an instrument in playable condition.
2
votes
2answers
34 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
92 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 ...
7
votes
3answers
685 views
Factors in choosing a replacement saddle for an acoustic guitar.
I saw this in the comments section on the question "Do acoustic or classical guitars need to be set up?"
The saddle material makes a difference in the sound of an acoustic too.
I have a bit of a ...
5
votes
4answers
553 views
Do acoustic or classical guitars need to be set up?
Obviously acoustic and classical guitars don't have external pickups that need to be setup, but are there any other adjustments that need to be done on a regular basis? There doesn't seem to be a ...
20
votes
6answers
2k views
Do guitar strings wear when not used?
Do strings wear because of the pressure applied to them or any other factor, or do they stay in quite the same shape as long as you don't use them?
27
votes
15answers
5k views
Changing the strings: one by one, or by taking all strings off at one time?
The title says it all. Should I change strings one by one, or take them all at once? Does this matter at all?
If I take all strings off, will it damage my neck in any way, because the pressure is ...
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 ...
5
votes
3answers
219 views
Saxophone sometimes out of tune by nearly a fourth
Our band's saxophonist has a bizzare intermittent fault with his soprano sax (so normally uses his tenor or alto sax).
Sometimes it's fine and sings beautifully, but other times it'll be out of tune ...
5
votes
4answers
130 views
What methods are there to determine when a violin string should be replaced?
I am very new to the violin. I have broken a string just once - and it was while attempting to tune it.
The string breaking was rather surprising and powerful - I'm glad my face was not too close.
...
3
votes
2answers
132 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 ...
10
votes
7answers
648 views
How do I properly stretch my newly strung strings?
I came across this string stretcher device. It claims to properly and evenly stretch new strings and maintain tuning.
I never really made a point to properly stretch newly strung strings. Can anyone ...
5
votes
2answers
117 views
What purpose does adjusting the violin bow tension serve?
A violin bow has a screw that allows you to adjust the hairs' tension. Like a tuning peg so to speak.
When I just got mine, I didn't pay attention to it. I worked with the tuning pegs because I knew ...
7
votes
1answer
39 views
cleaning trombone slide where outer slide is under the inner slide
I have been playing for some time, but have never found a good way to clean the inner slide up inside the part where the outer slide is under the metal in first position
I've tried tooth picks and ...
6
votes
3answers
4k views
Should a Floyd Rose bridge be parallel to the body of the guitar?
I've read before that a Floyd Rose bridge should be parallel to the body of the guitar.
This is an image of the bridge on my guitar:
You can see that the left side of the appears to be a little ...
6
votes
3answers
105 views
What should I consider when I see a loosen hair in a violin bow?
This drawing should do:
These are the hairs of a brand new bow. Straight, clean, etc.
I noticed this:
As you can see, it seems like a certain hair is a bit loose.
Is this wrong? (affects ...
5
votes
2answers
465 views
Adjusting clarinet or saxophone reeds
How do various techniques and equipments for adjusting reeds compare? e.g.
...
13
votes
8answers
1k views
What is intonation and how can I find out if my guitar has correct intonation?
What is intonation?
What is the best way to check my intonation and fix it if necessary?
13
votes
3answers
380 views
When should I be concerned about calibrating the bias of vacuum tubes in an amplifier?
I think it would be useful to discuss the concept of bias as it pertains to guitar amplifiers. I have read some articles saying that you should always rebias your amplifier when you change the power ...
13
votes
3answers
558 views
Acoustic guitar - how to wind strings on the tuning posts
While writing an answer to this question, I did a little web searching and found that the way I was taught 29 years ago to wind the strings isn't necessarily the best.
On an acoustic guitar, I tend ...
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?
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 ...
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
9answers
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, ...
11
votes
3answers
590 views
How do I set up an electric guitar?
How do I set up the pickups, neck, etc. in an electric guitar? I'm not concerned with producing a particular sound as I am with keeping the neck from warping, prevent string buzz, improving ...
7
votes
1answer
1k views
12-string acoustic guitar - how do nut and saddle materials affect tone?
I'm doing some work on a 12-string acoustic guitar, and am planning to replace the nut and saddle. I need to raise the action a little bit for the E and B strings, and also want to change to a ...
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 ...
10
votes
8answers
3k views
Cleaning the fretboard of an electric guitar
I have had my electric guitar for several years and I noticed that there is some "sweat dirt" on the fretboard of the guitar, so the inlay is less shiny.
I'd like to clean that without taking the ...
7
votes
2answers
296 views
Right way of resting a guitar
While not using or after using, what is the right way of resting a guitar. If I lean it towards a wall, is it right to lean it with the strings facing the walls or otherwise? Is it fine to hang the ...
3
votes
1answer
369 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 ...
5
votes
2answers
606 views
How to Calibrate / Setup an Electric Guitar?
Even with new strings, my guitar makes some sort of buzzing noise on higher strings. I was told it needs to be set up. What are the steps or where can I find a good guide to do this?
5
votes
6answers
401 views
Any issues with restringing a right-handed ukelele to be left-handed?
I know that you wouldn't necessarily jump on doing this on a guitar, but I'm wondering on a fairly inexpensive ukelele if the strings could be reversed without issue.
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 ...
7
votes
2answers
876 views
How does the piano middle pedal work? Is there a standard symbol for it?
What are the mechanics behind the middle piano pedal? I have been using the middle pedal for a variety of music, it is wonderful, but I can't figure out how it works (I mean the mechanical process). ...
11
votes
5answers
2k views
How to accurately intonate a 3 saddle telecaster?
I have a traditional 3 saddle telecaster bridge. With two strings on each saddle my intonation is always a slight compromise. This is OK on the first four strings, but the bass strings are noticeably ...
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 ...
1
vote
2answers
297 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 ...
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 ...
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. ...
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 ...
29
votes
15answers
1k views
How often should I replace the strings on my guitar?
When and why should you replace your guitar strings?
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
23
votes
7answers
423 views
What tools should every guitarist have?
What tools should every guitarist have to do most small/medium projects for their guitars? (change strings, tuners, knobs, pickups)
6
votes
2answers
757 views
How do I set up a bass guitar?
How do I set up the pickups, neck, etc. in an electric bass guitar? I'm not concerned with producing a particular sound as I am with keeping the neck from warping, prevent string buzz, improving ...
8
votes
5answers
2k views
How can I stop my electric guitar strings from rusting so quickly?
I suffer from hyperhyrdosis which means my hands sweat quite a lot. The problem is that because of this my electric guitar strings seem to rust quite quickly because of this. Is there anything I can ...
6
votes
4answers
983 views
Is grease good or bad for guitar strings?
I was once told that playing a guitar with greasy fingers was actually good for the strings. However, this seems a bit counter-intuitive. Is there any truth behind this claim?
5
votes
4answers
1k views
Best method to clean guitar?
After a month or two of playing, the strings will often have grime and skin oil stuck to the underside, and the frets will eventually start building up dirt. Add to that all the dust that accumulates ...
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 ...
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.
...
