Repair Columns

Drawing from many experts both here at Gibson and from respected friends of Gibson, these columns walk you step-by-step through many repair, maintenance, and upgrade procedures.

• Getting down with Mandolin Set Up
  If your mando just won't tune 2 x 4, then check out these hints for making it more harmonious.
  
  
• Get up and dress your funky frets
  Sure to make you and your instrument look and play better.
  
  
• StewMac: Online tools, parts and the secrets of the trade
  StewMac is the place to get the tools and more to fix the funk.
  
  
• Ins & Outs: 4-Conductor Humbucking Pickup Coil Cutting
  A clip here and a clip there and you've got a new sound and new performance from your humbuckers.
  
  
• Don't kill that guitar: Dealing with hard to tune instruments
  (May 1998) A list of some of the more common (and frustrating) tuning problems and their possible solutions.
  
  
• Slide Easy: Dobro and Resophonic Set Up
  (Apr. 1998) The simple steps to perform a Dobro setup for resophonic type instruments. Applies to both fingerstyle and Hawaiian style.
  
  
• Lacquer Finish -- Care and Maintenance
  (Mar. 1998) The Do's and Dont's to help that nitrocellulose lacquer finish retain its original beauty and functionality.
  
  
• Tuner Replacement
  (Feb. 1998) The issues to consider before replacing your old tuners, and the 6 step guide to doing it properly.
  
  
• Smooth Frettin': Fretboard Clean and Polish
  (Dec. 1997) The guide for one of the easiest do-it-yourself jobs in the guitar maintenance/repair handbook.
  
  
• Swapping Sounds: Pickup Replacement
  (Nov. 1997) Finally found that perfect pickup? Here's how to install it without making a mess.
  
  
• Basic Guitar Setup
  (Oct. 1997) A step-by-step procedure for easy, do-it-yourself guitar setup.
  
  
• Varitone six-way tone control
  (Jan. 1999) What's up with the six-position Varitone switch?