Your DIY Guide to Keeping Your Guitar in Top Shape
BY OMAR SHABBAR
PHOTO : FLICKR / DENNIS AB
As
musicians with no live shows , no recording sessions , and no rehearsals for nearly two years , our relationship with music has truly changed over the course of this pandemic . For some of us , this new-found time has been an opportunity to reconnect with our instrument , finally sit down to practice , and get our chops up . For others , myself included , the lack of shows and ability to jam with friends has really killed any motivation to play . Whichever group you ’ ve found yourself in over the past two years , I ’ m sure that all of us are happy to see that shows , rehearsals , friends , and everything music is slowly coming back ! Whether you ’ re picking up your guitar for the first time today , or the first time this year , we all need to get our axes back into gigging shape .
I ’ ve been working as the guitar tech at The Root Down Studio here in Toronto for the past five years . My job involves keeping our collection of guitars and basses in top playing shape and workshopping with clients on their guitar rigs . While five years is not a very long time , especially compared to many of the guitar techs in this country , I have still learned a number of easy tips and tricks that I think every guitar player should know about maintaining their instrument .
Before I begin , though , there are three disclaimers that I should get out of the way :
First : I am not suggesting that you shouldn ’ t take your instrument into the shop to get work done . I think it ’ s important to know your limits and recognize when a task requires something beyond your skill set . That ’ s when you should bring your instrument into the shop and pay someone to take care of it for you . As we go through the tips , I will outline when you should stop and bring your instrument to a professional . Always remember the golden rule : If you ’ re
44 CANADIAN MUSICIAN