Erik

Electric Guitar String Ground

Potential sources of EMI are all around us: cell phones, radios, computers, and fluorescent lights are just a handful of common sources. To compound the issue, the human body is a natural antenna for electromagnetic interference.

To eliminate the EMI that a player inherently adds to the signal, a wire is attached in such a way as to connect the guitar strings to the instrument’s electronic ground. 

While the player touches the strings, this wire effectively cancels out the noise that a players body adds to the signal by giving it a path to ground. This crucial length of wire is known as the “String Ground Wire”.

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Mitchel’s PlateMate

The bridge plate is an integral part of the internal support structure of an acoustic guitar. As part of the bracing system, it helps to support the instrument top and resist the pulling force exerted upon the instrument by the strings.

Mitchel’s PlateMate is designed to protect your guitar’s bridge plate from damage caused by ball-end strings. It is made from solid brass and installs in minutes. Should the need arise, the plate can be removed almost as easily!

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Acoustic Guitar Bracing Repairs

In an acoustic guitar, bracing is the internal support structure that holds the instrument together. By design, the top, back, and sides of the guitar body must be fairly thin and are typically made from wood. A series of comparatively thicker pieces are then glued to specific locations to provide stability in high stress areas; This is the bracing system.

Without sufficient bracing to reinforce it, the instrument would buckle, crack, and fall apart from the substantial force put upon it by the strings.

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Highwood Vintage Contoured Strat Saddles

Fender “vintage style” stamped saddles have been used for decades on Stratocasters and many other S-style guitars. Made of bent steel, they are highly adjustable and posses a classic look.

However, for some playing styles, these saddles have a major drawback. Highwood Guitars Parts HG Contoured Vintage Guitar Saddles retain the look of the original Fender design with key improvements.

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Acoustic Guitar Bridge Reglue

The bridge truly is the heart of an acoustic guitar. Typically made from a piece of wood such as ebony or rosewood, it is glued to the guitar’s top, where it serves several critical functions. When strung to pitch in standard tuning, a set of light gauge acoustic guitar strings exerts about 160lbs worth of tension upon the instrument. Since the strings are attached to the bridge, this pulling force is partially transferred to it. Though guitars are designed to be able to resist that force, if there is any weakness in the glue joint connecting the bridge to the top, it can fail.

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Vintage Acoustic Guitar Pickguard Replacement

Many acoustic guitars manufactured from the late 60’s through the mid 80’s utilize acetate or celluloid plastic pick guards glued directly on top of bare wood. An unfortunate concern with this technique is that, with age, the pick guards have begun to shrink and degrade. This is similar to another common affliction of vintage instruments: The breakdown of plastic tuner buttons. As many of these instruments have attained a degree of collectability far above the manufacturers wildest expectations, expert repair is often warranted to save these fine instruments.

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Making An Acoustic Guitar Saddle

The saddle is a vital part of an acoustic guitar. Protruding above the bridge, it is one of the primary action adjustment points for the instrument. Without a well made saddle, proper setup will not be possible. Though they can be made from many different materials, for this article, we will be focusing on the process of hand cutting a new acoustic guitar saddle out of a piece of bone.

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