There are various possibilities. If the strings have been on for a few months (or years!) then I would definitely recommend that you change them before worrying that there may be other issues with the guitar. However, there are a lot of things that can cause tuning problems – strings binding in the nut slots, loose machine heads (tuners), loose locking nuts, bad stringing techniques, wrongly set or faulty trem units… most problems can be diagnosed relatively quickly on examining the guitar – contact me.

Short answer – No! This is why acoustic guitars are generally set a little higher than electric guitars. Even with perfectly level frets there will be increasing string buzz as the the strings get closer to the frets and/or as you play harder. An electric guitar can be set lower than an acoustic because a lot of the buzzing isn’t amplified by the pickups.

Setting up a guitar is a fine balance of playability versus tone and if you really can’t stand the buzzing of strings then the action will have to be set a little higher. There are a lot of other factors like string gauge, tuning, and the type of guitar so the above answer is a rather condensed one!

I can only give you my opinion of certain pickups and if you were to ask 10 different people you will likely get 10 different answers! Obviously the best way to find out is hearing a similar guitar with that pickup in it - not always easy to do! Failing that, you’re probably best to research internet forums and magazines to get other people's opinion on the pickup. The only way to really find out is to actually install the pickup in your guitar.

Time allowing, yes, but it’s not advisable. If the guitar needs neck adjustments then technically it should be left for some time to settle in. Having said that, I have successfully set up guitars ‘last minute’ with no issues. If the guitar is playable then it’s probably best to let it be and have it set up after the gig. On the other hand if the guitar is playing like a dog then it’s bound to be a huge improvement.

This really depends on how you look after them and how often and hard you play. It also depends on your body chemistry as some people corrode strings badly (I’m one of them). Cleaning your strings after every use will greatly extend their life. Old strings will not intonate properly and cause tuning problems. Floyd Rose equipped guitars will suffer serious tuning and stability issues from old strings. Be it once a week or once a year, it’s totally dependant on the individual.

Adjustments differ for different playing styles, tunings and the actual guitar in question so there is no definite ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ setup. Neck adjustments vary as do nut slot height and action. However, although there are no exact measurements there are usually certain areas where improvement could or should be made. I don’t charge a fee to look over a guitar and show you what improvements, if any, can be made - contact me.

Clean the strings with a soft, dry cloth after every use. Run the cloth carefully under the strings - that’s where a lot of ‘gunk’ builds up!

Use ‘lemon oil’ to clean and condition rosewood or ebony finger boards when you change the strings. The lemon oil ‘feeds’ the wood and stops it drying out - frets can come loose if the wood dries and shrinks. Don’t use oil on lacquered boards as it can get under the lacquer and soak into the wood - not good!

Use guitar polish and a soft microfibre cloth to clean the paint/lacquer. Polish isn’t technically needed but it does leave a better gloss. If you’re cleaning the guitar while the strings are off be careful not to inadvertantly move any hardware that will affect the setup of the guitar - Les Paul bridge adjustment thumbwheels are a favourite!

No, sorry. At present I can only accept cash or cheque. Cheques must be supported by a valid guarantee card that covers the amount in full.