Guitar maintenance tools

mada999

Hi folks,

I'm just looking to know if anyone know's where i can buy some guitar maintenance tools, specifically something to measure string heights and also check for neck bowing etc etc?

Thanks,

mada

Rigsby

I'd imagine the basic tools you require are available in most music shops. You could give "X Music" a ring and find out. Otherwise you could check out this site :



http://www.stewmac.com/

Banjo

You can get a set of feeler gauges from Halfords for checking the action for not too much. 6 or 8 quid I think. Make sure you've also got a capo or a spare pair of hands.

For neck bowing you just need a precision-machined steel ruler, ideally about 18 inches long, which you should be able to get from any big hardware store. Same goes for Allan (sp?) keys for truss rod adjustment.

A credit card will do the job for checking if your frets are level - you just need a straight edge that spans 3 frets at a time.

Any old rubber mallet should do the business for knocking raised frets back in if it comes to that, though I've not tried to level or dress frets without dedicated fret files so I'm not sure if there's a cheap alternative to the proper tools there.

Stewie Mac has great guitar-specific tools but you pay a premium for 'em, plus import duty and VAT, so you're often as well off to walk down to B&Q

wild turkey

i use an ordinary level to get the neck perfectly straight & an oilstone to level frets but you need a proper fret crowning tool
A set of hobby files takes care of the fret edges
& t-cut to polish them
Feeler guages are fine for neck relief

eoin5

I just use the strings held down on the first and last fret for neck relief. If theres an upbow the string will choke if you try to play it between the those two points. If theres too much relief you can see it in the centre. If the neck and frets are good you only need a tiny gap.