Blog

How to Improve Playing Speed: A Complete Guide for Musicians

Improving your playing speed as a guitarist can be frustrating at times, but rewarding in the end. It is a journey that combines practice, technique, and smart self-analysis. Whatever instrument you play,  becoming faster and cleaner takes commitment and the...

How to Know Your Guitar Frets Are Dying

Playing guitar should feel natural, with every note ringing clearly and smoothly. But sometimes, an unwanted buzz, muted note, or sudden loss of sustain interrupts the music. For many players, this points to one of the most frustrating problems: dying frets. These...

How to Clean an Acoustic Guitar

Cleaning your acoustic guitar helps preserve its sound and beauty for years to come. A clean, well-maintained instrument is easier to play and has a richer, more consistent tone. While consistent maintenance is important, the key to a beautiful instrument is using the...

The Science of Sound: How Does a Guitar Work?

The guitar is one of the most popular and versatile instruments in the world, found in nearly every genre of music from country and blues to rock and classical. But have you ever wondered how this six-stringed instrument actually produces sound? Whether you're a...

Why Do Guitars Lose Their Tune?

Your guitar is an intricately designed instrument that will provide the desired chords and tone when properly tuned. Unfortunately, as any musician knows all too well, there are times when even the most cherished instrument will fail to hold its tune properly. This can be the result of all sorts of issues. Here are some common reasons to consider that will cause your guitar to slip out of tune more often than it should.

Tools Needed to Build Your Own Guitar

Have you ever wondered what it takes to build your own guitar? Crafting an instrument from scratch is a blend of artistry, precision, and passion. Whether you’re a musician seeking a custom instrument or a beginner exploring the world of luthiery, the process starts...
Tech Tip: Keep Your Guitar Wiring Tidy
Tech Tip: Keep Your Guitar Wiring Tidy

Brian Nutter is an instructor at Guitar Craft Academy Nashville When wiring your guitar, be sure to keep it neat. Keep all of your leads short. To do this, I make a “cut list." I pre-measure and cut all of my wire to each specific link. Then, once everything...

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Graduate Profile: Jeremy Smith
Graduate Profile: Jeremy Smith

Before enrolling at Guitar Craft Academy Nashville last year, Jeremy Smith, 25, says he had reached a point in his life where if he didn’t pursue a career in luthiery, he knew he never would. A recent graduate of Guitar Craft Academy Nashville’s electric and acoustic...

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How to Hand-Wind a Guitar Pick-up
How to Hand-Wind a Guitar Pick-up

Wondering how to hand-wind a pickup? Instructor Steven Mather demonstrates the process and explains the intricacies that affect the sound a pickup creates: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EUan_DtIDw

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Purpose of Guitar Bar Frets
Purpose of Guitar Bar Frets

History of Guitar Bar Frets “Bar frets were used on CF Martin guitars made before 1934. Part of the function of this type of fret is to act as a wedge and stiffen the neck. The change to the modern “T” cross-section frets was accompanied by the addition of steel neck...

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Tech Tip: Using a Clamping Caul
Tech Tip: Using a Clamping Caul

“Often, during a repair job, a clamping caul is needed. In this picture, a spruce block has been cut to match an odd-shaped bridge so that the clamping pressure is evenly distributed. This 1964 Epiphone Excellente requires several clamping procedures that...

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