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Erich Andreas

Guitar Maintenance Mastery: DIY Setup, Cleaning, and Intonation for Acoustic and Electric Guitars

Are you tired of sending your guitar to the shop whenever it needs a tweak? Do you dream of achieving that pro-level setup like the legends - Eddie Van Halen, Jimi Hendrix, or Slash? You can transform your guitar-playing experience with our brand-new course: Guitar Maintenance Mastery: DIY Setup, Cleaning, and Intonation for Acoustic and Electric Guitars.

Why This Course?

Read more

Guitar Maintenance Mastery: DIY Setup, Cleaning, and Intonation for Acoustic and Electric Guitars

Are you tired of sending your guitar to the shop whenever it needs a tweak? Do you dream of achieving that pro-level setup like the legends - Eddie Van Halen, Jimi Hendrix, or Slash? You can transform your guitar-playing experience with our brand-new course: Guitar Maintenance Mastery: DIY Setup, Cleaning, and Intonation for Acoustic and Electric Guitars.

Why This Course?

Expert Guidance: I've teamed up with Greg Ellis, my trusted guitar technician for over a decade, to bring you this comprehensive course. Greg isn't just any tech; he's the floor manager at Carter's Instruments, Nashville's premier vintage guitar store. His expertise spans decades, covering everything from electric guitars to acoustic guitars and amplifiers.

- All Levels Welcome: Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned player, this course caters to guitarists of all styles and skill levels. Learn to maintain and set up your instruments with confidence.

What You'll Learn:

- Guitar Storage and Cleaning: Discover the best practices to keep your guitar in top condition, ensuring longevity and sound quality.

- Wood Conditioning: Understand how to care for different types of wood, preserving the tone and feel of your guitar.

- Stringing and Tuning: Master stringing your guitar for optimal playability and tuning stability.

Professional Setups: From action adjustment to intonation, learn the secrets behind pro-level setups, saving you time and money.

Why Greg Ellis?

- Proven Track Record: Greg's meticulous approach has saved countless guitars, from vintage treasures to modern marvels. His insights are not just theoretical; they're battle-tested.

- Hands-On Teaching: Greg and I will guide you through each process, showing you how to avoid common pitfalls and achieve professional results at home.

Your Ticket to Guitar Greatness:

Imagine tweaking your guitar to your exact preferences, just like your guitar heroes. This course isn't just about maintenance; it's your direct path to customizing your sound and feel without the fear of damaging your beloved instrument.

Don't Let Another String Slip Out of Tune - Join us now and:

- Save on costly repairs

- Master your guitar's setup

- Enhance your playing experience

Enroll Today in "Guitar Maintenance Mastery: DIY Setup, Cleaning, and Intonation for Acoustic and Electric Guitars" and start transforming your guitar into the perfect instrument for you.

Jump in now - your journey to becoming a guitar maintenance pro starts here.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • How to perform a professional set up for guitars.
  • What to consider for electric guitars maintenance.
  • What to consider for acoustic guitar maintenance.
  • How to properly store, keep your guitars healthy.
  • How guitar luthier string their guitars.
  • How guitar luthier tune their guitars.
  • How guitar luthier clean their guitars.

Syllabus

Now we will discuss basic cleaning of the guitar. Taking care of the frets, fretboard, and the body of the guitar.

Here, we jump into conditioning of the fretboard and maintenance of the hardware.

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Guitar Maintenance - Course Contents

Welcome Greg Ellis, my guitar tech, in the introduction to this course that will be covering basic guitar maintenance and setup.

We delve into the first bit of this course where we talk about guitar storage.

In this video we talk about restringing a guitar properly.

In this video we discuss how to properly tension strings after restringing your guitar.

Now we will discuss general electric guitar maintenance, and also how to evaluate your guitar to see if it may need maintenance.

In this video we discuss the basics of evaluating an acoustic guitar to see if the guitar may need maintenance.

Next, we discuss what really happens in a Pro Setup. We answer the question... "What do you do for that charge that I can't do on my own?"

In this video we recap the guitar maintenance series with Greg Ellis.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Features Greg Ellis, a seasoned guitar technician from Nashville's premier vintage guitar store, offering practical insights applicable to both electric and acoustic guitars
Covers essential aspects such as guitar storage, wood conditioning, and stringing techniques, which are crucial for maintaining the instrument's longevity and sound quality
Explores professional setup techniques, including action adjustment and intonation, empowering guitarists to customize their instrument's feel and sound to their preferences
Teaches how to evaluate both electric and acoustic guitars for maintenance needs, enabling players to identify potential issues early on and prevent costly repairs
Requires specific tools and supplies for guitar maintenance, which may not be readily available and could represent an additional cost for some learners

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Guitar Maintenance Mastery: DIY Setup, Electric/Acoustic with these activities:
Review Guitar Anatomy
Familiarize yourself with the different parts of a guitar to better understand the maintenance procedures covered in the course.
Show steps
  • Identify the major components of both electric and acoustic guitars.
  • Research the function of each component.
  • Create a labeled diagram of a guitar.
Read 'The Guitar Handbook'
Supplement your learning with a comprehensive guide to guitar care and repair.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'The Guitar Handbook'.
  • Read the sections relevant to guitar maintenance and setup.
  • Take notes on key concepts and techniques.
Practice String Changes
Reinforce your understanding of stringing techniques by practicing on an old guitar.
Show steps
  • Gather necessary tools and supplies.
  • Remove old strings from a guitar.
  • Install new strings, following the course instructions.
  • Tune the guitar to pitch.
  • Repeat the process multiple times.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Document Your Setup Process
Solidify your knowledge by creating a detailed guide to your own guitar setup process.
Show steps
  • Choose a guitar to work on.
  • Document each step of the setup process with photos or videos.
  • Write clear and concise instructions for each step.
  • Share your guide with other guitarists online.
Explore 'Complete Guitar Repair'
Deepen your understanding of guitar repair with a comprehensive guide.
Show steps
  • Acquire a copy of 'Complete Guitar Repair'.
  • Focus on chapters related to setup and maintenance.
  • Compare the book's techniques with those taught in the course.
Build a Guitar Maintenance Kit
Apply your knowledge by assembling a complete guitar maintenance kit.
Show steps
  • Research the essential tools and supplies for guitar maintenance.
  • Create a list of items to include in your kit.
  • Purchase the necessary items.
  • Organize your kit for easy access.
Help Others with Guitar Setups
Reinforce your learning by assisting other guitarists with their setups.
Show steps
  • Offer your services to friends or local musicians.
  • Guide them through the setup process, explaining each step.
  • Answer their questions and provide helpful tips.

Career center

Learners who complete Guitar Maintenance Mastery: DIY Setup, Electric/Acoustic will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Guitar Technician
A Guitar Technician is responsible for the maintenance, repair, and customization of guitars. This course provides a solid foundation for becoming a guitar technician, by training learners how to perform essential tasks such as cleaning, conditioning, stringing and intonation. This hands-on experience with both electric and acoustic guitars can be invaluable for anyone looking to offer professional guitar services. The course covers best practices for storage, which is a crucial part of keeping instruments in excellent condition. Those aspiring to a career as a guitar technician should take this course to gain practical, real-world knowledge of how to maintain guitars, and even more importantly how to perform a professional setup.
Musical Instrument Repair Specialist
A Musical Instrument Repair Specialist handles a wide range of instruments, and this course is useful for those who want to further specialize in guitar repair. The course teaches best practices for maintenance and professional setups, and gives a good foundation for understanding the construction of both electric and acoustic guitars. The stringing, tuning, and wood conditioning modules of this course may be especially helpful. Understanding the principles of guitar repair can help any specialist expand their capabilities.
Luthier
A Luthier is a craftsperson who builds or repairs stringed instruments, including guitars. While this course focuses on maintenance and setup rather than construction, it offers essential skills that will help any aspiring Luthier. The training in proper stringing, tuning, storage, and wood conditioning will contribute to the long term health and sound quality of guitars. The course particularly focuses on professional setups, offering a foundational understanding of how to optimize instrument playability. Individuals looking to become a Luthier should take this course to understand crucial elements of guitar maintenance and repair.
Hobbyist Guitar Builder
A Hobbyist Guitar Builder can use this course to learn the details of guitar setup and maintenance. While construction is not the focus, the ability to properly setup and maintain a guitar impacts its playability. This course offers essential knowledge of the proper ways string, tune, and care for electric and acoustic guitars. The focus on professional setups may prove to be especially helpful. Even a hobbyist builder can benefit from a more thorough understanding of how to best maintain their creations.
Vintage Instrument Dealer
A Vintage Instrument Dealer requires detailed knowledge about the care of older instruments. This course offers extensive information on how to maintain and preserve guitars. The skills of wood conditioning, proper storage, and cleaning, all mentioned in the course, are particularly important for vintage instruments, which require careful handling. The training in professional setups is crucial when assessing a guitar's value, as well as the repairs and maintenance they may need. A vintage dealer should consider this course to learn best practices for guitar preservation.
Touring Musician
A Touring Musician needs to be self-sufficient when on the road, and guitar maintenance is a crucial skill. This course teaches the essential aspects of guitar care, setup, and intonation. Being able to perform basic maintenance and setup gives musicians the ability to ensure that their guitar is always ready to perform. The course discusses everything from restringing to wood conditioning and professional setups, all crucial skills for those who cannot always rely on a guitar tech. A touring musician can use this course to be better prepared for any guitar issues they face on the road.
Guitar Designer
A Guitar Designer should possess a deep knowledge of how guitars work as well as their maintenance needs. This course offers valuable insights into guitar setup, cleaning, and intonation. Understanding these key elements is crucial in the design process, as it allows guitar designers to create instruments that are both functional and enjoyable to play. The course discusses professional setups, stringing, and wood conditioning. For aspiring designers, this course provides hands-on knowledge for creating better instruments.
Musical Instrument Appraiser
A Musical Instrument Appraiser is responsible for assessing the value of instruments, which requires a thorough understanding of their condition and maintenance. This course directly addresses how to maintain guitars, and how to set them up for optimal playing conditions. Knowledge of wood conditioning, cleaning, stringing, and intonation is valuable when assessing a guitar. For an aspiring appraiser, this course may prove useful in determining the value of guitars.
Recording Studio Technician
A Recording Studio Technician should have a strong knowledge of how instruments function and how to keep them in good condition. This course is useful for any technician looking to expand their knowledge of guitar maintenance and set up. Understanding of everything from intonation, cleaning, stringing, and professional setup can be used to ensure the best sound quality when recording. With the skills learned, a technician can make minor adjustments to guitars, ensuring a superior recording experience. A recording studio technician may find this course helpful in improving the quality of their recordings.
Music Store Owner
A Music Store Owner needs to understand the products they sell, including the maintenance and care of guitars. This course provides valuable insights into how to keep guitars in excellent condition. Knowledge of storage practices, stringing, intonation, and the professional setup process is essential for anyone running a store that deals with musical instruments. The course content also allows a store owner to better assist customers with their guitar maintenance questions and needs. For an individual planning to open a music store, this course may be useful in creating a knowledgeable approach to your product line.
Music Production Specialist
A Music Production Specialist who works with guitars need to understand how to maintain them to ensure optimal sound quality. This course provides valuable knowledge on guitar setups and maintenance. By learning practices for cleaning, storing, and conditioning, a music production specialist can make sure that the guitars they use will sound its best when recording. The course content about stringing, intonation, and professional setups also means you can optimize the guitar for various uses. If you are in music production, this course might help you master your craft.
Musical Instrument Salesperson
A Musical Instrument Salesperson is more effective when they can offer advice to customers about guitar maintenance. This course gives the salesperson the know-how to discuss guitar care, setup and maintenance. By understanding how to maintain both acoustic and electric guitars, the salesperson can build credibility with their customers. This allows them to offer more thorough information about the products they sell and even help customers avoid common issues. Taking this course can help increase sales and establish customer trust for a salesperson.
Music Teacher
A Music Teacher who teaches guitar can benefit immensely from this course. They can guide their students on how to properly maintain their instruments. By understanding of setup, intonation, stringing, and the techniques taught in the course, teachers can offer better advice to students on how to care for and optimize their guitars. This enables them to give advice beyond just the notes and chords, ultimately improving their student's learning experience. This course may help them become a more well-rounded guitar instructor.
Music Therapist
As a Music Therapist, an understanding of instruments is important for providing effective therapy sessions. While this course focuses on guitar maintenance, the knowledge gained can be applied to ensure instruments are in good working order. The course covers storage, cleaning, and stringing, which allows therapists to provide optimal conditions for their clients. Guitar setup can help improve the playability of their instruments, therefore helping the client. For a music therapist, this course may be useful for keeping their instruments in good condition.
Sound Engineer
A Sound Engineer who works with guitarists can find this course to be useful in their work. A sound engineer can do more than just capture the sound of a guitar, they can also aid in guitar maintenance. The course's exploration of guitar setup, cleaning, and intonation will give you the tools to ensure an optimal recording experience. The course's thorough discussion of guitar maintenance is directly relevant to any engineer who works with guitars. This course may be useful for optimizing the sound of guitar recordings.

Reading list

We've selected one books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Guitar Maintenance Mastery: DIY Setup, Electric/Acoustic.
This handbook provides a comprehensive overview of guitar maintenance and repair. It covers a wide range of topics, from basic cleaning to advanced setups. It serves as a valuable reference for understanding the principles behind guitar maintenance and setup, offering a deeper dive into the 'why' behind the 'how'.

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