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There are many tools needed to repair guitars, especially if you're doing it for someone else on a regular basis and depending on the types of repair you do. As time goes by you find different and more efficient ways and better tools. Some tools can be modified to do specific tasks. I always have Stewart MacDonald in the bookmarks section of my browser and they have the largest selection of tools for luthiers and guitar techs that I have found in one place. Expensive?, you bet. But remember guitar repair is not the most popular business to be in and does require a degree of talent and special skills as well as knowledge. Two thousand tools made for or by Stew-Mac are a lot more expensive to make than 80 thousand pieces of a tool for your local Lowes. Below are a few tools from luthier tool suppliers that save so much time or perform well for their given task. From measuring to preparation, these tools are regulars around the shop. |
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Fret Level Guage |
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Simple, but effective tool. The three sides are cut to different lengths and the edges precision ground flat. This tool is used to span over three frets and 'rocked' to detect high and low frets. Once you have located a problem fret, you can move it one fret up or one fret back using the same rocking proceedure to determine wether the fret is high or low. After marking the fret number and position (high or low) on paper, continue with the rest of the frets and decide on a proper repair. |
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String Spacing Tool |
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So you've removed the old nut on your guitar and painstakingly roughed in a new nut. Instead of evenly spacing the marks for string slots across the nut, this tool compensates for the larger strings toward the bass side so the larger strings are spaced a little farther apart for an even, overall spacing. |
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String Height/Action Guage |
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Above you saw the fret height dial, this is the tool that measures the distance between the fret top and the bottom of the string. In my opinion, feeler guages are just too time consuming and are not as accurate as this guage is. This is another time saving, must have tool around the shop. |
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Fret Board and String Radius Gauges |
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These will likely be the only type radius gauges you will need in your shop. They work underneath the strings at the bridge to adjust the saddle radius on electric or acoustic guitars. Use the bottoms to identify any fret board radius. With their handy little handles and clearly marked hanger tops, they are hard to beat for the price at Stewart MacDonald. |
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Fret Board Leveling Tool |
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For fret board leveling, I have not found anything to match this tool. I won't say this is a 'must have' tool, but I prefer leveling from the fret board, not the fret tops. This tool takes the guess work out of board leveling by adjusting the truss rod until there is no light visible between the board and the edges. Works for both 24 3/4" and 25 1/2" scale guitars. |
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Copyright©2010-2012 Accu-Tech Guitar Repair LLC. All rights reserved |
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Store Bought Guitar Repair Tools
