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...
Graduate Profile: Patrick Berhow (Video)
Graduate Profile: Patrick Berhow (Video)

Patrick Berhow, a graduate of the acoustic and electric programs, now works for well-known factory repair shop MIRC. He shared how Guitar Craft Academy helped him advance his career in Music City: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_syzVrHph0&t=4s

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Tech Tip: Book Match
Tech Tip: Book Match

"We use the term 'book match' frequently in the guitar trade. People often ask: What does 'book match' mean? The images on the left are of a board that I have sawn in half along its edge. The adjacent cuts are opened like the pages of a book to make a guitar back....

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Graduate Profile: Craig Standridge (Video)
Graduate Profile: Craig Standridge (Video)

Craig Standridge is a retired Air Force veteran who came to Guitar Craft Academy to pursue his love of luthiery. Now graduated, he's continued on with us as a teaching assistant and is growing his own repair business on the side. Check out his story:...

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Tech Tip: Installing an Inlay into a Guitar Fretboard
Tech Tip: Installing an Inlay into a Guitar Fretboard

Steven Mather is lead instructor at Guitar Craft Academy. Inlay can be a difficult process to execute properly. I did a demo of inlaying a block inlay into a bass neck to demonstrate how I go about this process. Step 1: The first step is to measure the inlay...

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Iconic Guitars: the Gibson J-200
Iconic Guitars: the Gibson J-200

For the first installment in an ongoing series exploring iconic guitar models, we spoke with Marty Lanham, owner of Nashville Guitar Company and an instructor at Guitar Craft Academy Nashville, about the iconic Gibson J-200. Marty Lanham of Guitar Craft Academy...

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Graduate Profile: George Pjetri (Video)
Graduate Profile: George Pjetri (Video)

George Pjetri graduated from Guitar Craft Academy in 2017 and now works for Gibson USA doing finishing work in their Nashville factory. He says he had a dream of working for Gibson and enrolled at Guitar Craft Academy in order to give himself the foundation he...

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