Where to Place a Strap Button, Bolt-on vs. Dovetail Neck Joints, and More Guitar Advice from Luthier Frank Ford
Ford contributed many articles in the early to mid-2000s, and here is a sampling of the sage advice he offered.
Frank Ford
Frank Ford (1944-2023) was a legendary luthier and co-founder of Gryphon Stringed Instruments. He created frets.com, the largest acoustic instrument maintenance and repair reference site on the internet.
13 Easy Ways to Troubleshoot Your Ax
Sometimes it’s the little things that keep you from enjoying your guitar. Here are 13 common problems and their typical solutions.
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How to Fix Rattles
Your entire guitar vibrates when you play it: the top most of all, but even the neck and headstock are moved by the vibrating strings’ energy. Any loose part on your guitar may buzz or rattle audibly, sometimes only when certain notes are played. Parts don’t have to be visibly loose to rattle, and it can be quite a job to chase down the causes of some of these little noises.
How to Clean Your Guitar
Learn the differences between commercial polishes and cleaners and get the low-down on how to clean your instrument without scratching the finish.
Cleaning Your Guitar’s Fingerboard
If the dirt buildup is really bad, wiping with a damp cloth won’t suffice. Use some extra-fine wool to scrub gently across the fretboard, parallel to the frets.