MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES
The average player can accomplish few guitar repairs without considerable risk to the instrument. Every guitar player should, however, be able to describe the function of each part on the guitar and electric bass and diagnose most malfunctions.
Players can correct these problems:
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Pitting and corrosion may indicate worn strings. Replace the strings.
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False strings produce out of tune harmonics. Replace the strings.
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Mismatched strings produce different tone qualities and may be of different material and color. Replace unwanted strings with matched ones.
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A dull, lusterless finish; rusted metal parts; or obvious dust and dirt mean you should clean the instrument.
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Pressing the first and sixth strings at the highest fret can check faulty pickup and pole-piece screw adjustment on electric guitars. Each string should be about 1/16 inch above the pickup. Set pole-piece screws lower for thick, wound strings and higher for thin, unwound strings.
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If switches or knobs are noisy when the volume is up, contacts are probably dirty or corroded. Apply contact cleaner.
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Loose screws on tuning machines, pickups, bridge, pick plate, output jack, cover, and neck plates may all be tightened with a screwdriver.
* These problems require a competent guitar technician for their correction:
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Warped necks can be diagnosed by sighting down the neck from the nut to the body. Both neck and strings should be square and even with the body.
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The neck can become unglued from the body. Look for a gap between the neck and body.
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The neck may bow up. Check the side view of the guitar from the nut to the body.
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A bridge starting to pull loose will create a space along one side of the bridge.
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Worn frets have grooves caused by string friction.
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A nut is badly worn if the grooves are deeper than half the string diameter.
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A broken nut has cracks on or around it.
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The bridge saddle may be worn or maladjusted if the instrument is in decent condition but the string height on the fingerboard is not close to 1/8 inch.
Any problem not described here should be referred to a technician. Electrical malfunctions should also be referred because of the danger of electrical shock.
