Grosse Pointe Music Academy CommentaryBased on reporting by Molly Bilker for Downtown DevilOriginal article link (Downtown Devil) At Grosse Pointe Music Academy, we celebrate not only the art of playing instruments, but also the craftsmanship behind them. The story of the Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery is a powerful reminder of how music and craftsmanship intersect […]
Guitar Repair
Guitar Passions Tour comes to the Music Hall in Detroit February 18th
Grosse Pointe Music Academy Commentary on Guitar Passions TourOriginally featured at Music Hall Detroit On February 18th, the Detroit Music Hall will host a rare and exceptional performance featuring three internationally celebrated guitarists: Sharon Isbin, Stanley Jordan, and Romero Lubambo. The Guitar Passions Tour unites diverse musical traditions—Latin, Brazilian, classical, and jazz—into one unforgettable evening […]
Guitar maker to restore Elvis collection
Commentary: Elvis’ Guitars Get Expert Attention from Master Luthier Scott BaxendaleOriginal reporting by André Gallant, Online Athens / Athens Banner-Herald We came across a fascinating story by arts and culture reporter André Gallant about Athens-based guitar maker Scott Baxendale, who will soon begin work restoring and maintaining the legendary Elvis Presley’s guitar collection at Graceland. […]
Imagination In Instrument Design
Music is an art form that has been experimented with by humans since, quite possibly, before we had even developed the ability to verbally communicate with one another. As music has advanced, changed, and evolved, so have both humans, and the instruments that we have used to create these sounds. First, we banged sticks, and […]
Guitar Theft – Protect yourself.
Musicians often feel a deep and personal connection to their instruments, which is why having one stolen can be especially devastating. While any theft is upsetting, losing a guitar or other cherished instrument can feel like losing a piece of yourself. Unfortunately, instrument theft is all too common. Guitars are often taken at gigs, rehearsals, […]
Can I convert my guitar to left handed?
In most cases a right handed instrument can be easily converted to a left handed instrument. In fact, on a classical guitar, the conversion may be as simple as restringing it. The saddles on classical guitars typically have no compensation angle, and the nylon strings are close enough in diameter that the nut slots are often […]
Releasing tight or stuck bridge pins
Often times a player will go to restring their guitar, and discover that the bridge pins wont budge. This can be a frustrating experience, and can turn a simple procedure into a struggle. Luckily, there are a few tricks that can be used to make bridge pin extraction as painless as possible. The first thing […]
A quick fix for a bone nut
Have you ever seen a bone nut with a chunk missing or a chip in it? This is a fairly common situation. When this occurs, players often choose to replace the nut entirely, and there is nothing wrong with this. In fact, it is the best scenario. However, sometimes clients want a quick inexpensive fix. […]
What are scalloped frets?
Scalloped frets are most commonly used by “shred guitarists.” The concept is that by “scooping out” a portion of the fingerboard wood between the frets, the players fingers then never make contact with the wood, thus eliminating friction between the guitarist’s finger tips and the wood. This allows the player to run scales with more […]
Just a few general maintenance tips for players
There are a few things that guitar players can do to keep their guitars in good condition. These are very simple things that can make a world of difference for the longevity of your instruments life. First and foremost, most novice players do not change their strings often enough. A string’s life begins its process […]
Considering compensation for twelve string guitars
So, do you calibrate a twelve string guitar or not? It is a common question and a very valid one. With fretted instruments we are always battling the limitations of the equal tempered scale. I’ve discussed in previous posts how intonation and calibration works. Basically, frets are placed at a place where a mathematical compromise […]
Upgrading your guitar to a bone nut and saddle.
Often times I am asked by customers what upgrades they can make to their guitars to improve the sound of their instrument. Most of the time, I advise them to replace their nut and saddle with one made from a bone material. This is a fairly low cost repair that is always an improvement. Most […]
If I buy an instrument, can I tell how much it will be worth if I decide to sell it later?
On Buying and Reselling Musical InstrumentsSummary based on Frank Ford’s insights Predicting the resale value of a musical instrument isn’t easy. Well-known brands and popular models tend to have more consistent secondhand values, but there’s never a guarantee. Buying used instruments from reputable dealers can make it easier to trade or consign them later if […]
The Importance of Guitar Repair and Maintenance
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned player, understanding the importance of guitar repair and maintenance is essential to keeping your instrument in optimal playing condition. Just like a car requires regular oil changes and tune-ups, your guitar needs periodic attention to perform at its best and maintain its longevity. As the seasons change, fluctuations […]