So you play guitar and have a show coming up, maybe it’s your first performance, maybe it’s your hundredth, either way, making sure your guitar is ready for the stage is definitely important. We'll be putting a youtube video out this weekend covering these if you'd rather watch a video than read an email. www.youtube.com/spottsmusic Here are 5 ways to make sure your guitar is ready to rock!
1.) Replace those strings!
If your strings are over the 3-4 week mark, chances are they aren’t at their optimal. While you can still get life out of them, if the performance is something important to you, getting all the tone out of your guitar will make a difference. Guitar players professionally have someone change their strings before each gig. This isn’t saying that you should change your strings before each show, I would play them until I notice the tone starting to leave them, but that’s a different discussion for a different day.
2.) Intonation matters!
Making sure a guitar's intonation is accurate ensures that it is in tune with itself all the way up the neck. If a guitar is not, it may be in-tune at open notes, but slightly off as you work your way down the neck. String length changes are what lead to intonation adjustments and are done on the saddles of the guitar. If your show is today, and you don’t know how to check your guitar, and you can’t get it into the shop to us which we can check the intonation for free for you!
3.) Active Electronics? Change the battery!
If your guitar has a 9v, either test it or replace it. There is nothing worse than having your guitar quit working mid-song because of a battery. I’ve been there, and hopefully you never have to experience it. 😊
4.) Clean your Electronics/Tighten Your Output Jack!
If your guitar lives in the world, the moon, or really any planet with an environment, cleaning out the electronics are a good thing. Corrosion from humidity, general dust and dirt can cause intermittent problems in signal. Volume pots get scratchy over time. Cleaning the electronics out will ensure all is well with your signal. Tightening the Output jack ensures the cable doesn’t pull the jack out of the guitar.
5.) Get the Action Setup so the Guitar Plays at its Best!
From a simplistic standpoint action is just the how hard or easy the guitar is to play. There are several things that lead to a guitar being a great playing guitar or a tougher guitar to play. Neck adjustments, bridge/saddle adjustments, nut/fret adjustments can all help to make sure your guitar plays at it’s best.
These steps will only affect the guitar, being the guitarist, it’s on you to hit the right notes and put on a show! Practice, play, and ENJOY THE PERFORMANCE! If you’d like to have us do any of these steps for you, we are ready and willing! Stop by.
All in all we want you to have an amazing show and we love helping you make music!
Questions? Lets talk.
Email: keppy@spottsmusic.com
Phone: 814.371.5666
Message us: www.spottsmusic.com / Facebook / Instagram / Youtube
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