No matter how much we love our guitars, they don’t always love us back, especially if they’ve been knocked about, neglected, or just played to death (which, to be fair, is a good thing). At Austin Guitars, we see all sorts of repair jobs come through the door, from snapped strings to electronic glitches.
So, let’s talk about some common guitar repairs and how you can avoid needing them in the first place!
1. The Snapped String Saga
What happens?
You’re mid-song, feeling like a rockstar, and then—ping!—your top E string is gone. Happens to the best of us.
How to avoid it:
Change your strings regularly (especially if they’re starting to feel grimy).
Stretch them properly when fitting a new set.
Go easy on those crazy bends unless you’re sure your strings can handle them!
Need a restring? No worries, bring your guitar down to the barn, and we’ll sort you out.
2. Dodgy Electrics
What happens?
One minute, you’re cranking out killer riffs, the next, silence. Crackly jacks, dodgy switches, or dead pickups can be a nightmare.
How to avoid it:
Keep your input jack and controls clean, dust and sweat build-up can cause issues.
Use quality cables (not that £3 one you found in the bottom of your gig bag).
If something’s not right, don’t ignore it, little problems can turn into big ones fast.
If your electrics are playing up, we’ll get ‘em back in action in no time.
3. The Neck Nightmare
What happens?
Your guitar’s neck is looking more like a banana than a straight piece of wood. Action’s too high, frets are buzzing, it’s all a mess. Or worse, the headstock has taken a nasty hit.
How to avoid it:
Store your guitar properly, extreme heat, cold, or humidity can cause havoc.
Use a proper guitar stand (leaning it against a radiator is asking for trouble).
Get regular setups to keep everything playing smoothly.
If disaster strikes and your headstock takes a hit, don’t panic, repairs can work wonders.
Luckily, we do setups and repairs too, so if your neck needs a bit of TLC, just give us a shout!
Keep Your Guitar Happy!
Look, guitars aren’t that high-maintenance, but a little love goes a long way. Keep it clean, store it properly, and don’t wait until something’s really broken before getting it sorted.
And if things do go wrong? We’re here to help! Whether it’s a restring, a setup, or a full-on repair job, Reg, Paul, and Peter are always on hand to get your guitar back in top shape.