OUCH! My guitar hurts what the....?

I wish I had a dollar for every time I heard this lament. I've often thought about all of the "would be" guitar players
that abandoned the idea when they experienced "hard to press" strings. To me, it's sad because many times, it was the guitar itself.
To be frank, "virgin fingers" will definitely feel some discomfort for the guitar requires, like many things in life, an
adaptation to its physical requirements to producing sound. Rather, it should in fact, be somewhat easy to start playing, especially if the guitar is built well and "set up" appropriately.
Lets look at some scenerio's dealing with what I call "THE OUCH FACTOR"

Scene 1: "I want a guitar!"
A kid wants a guitar. A parent or friend ( with good intentions ) goes out, buys a guitar and as a surprise, gifts it to him or her.
The initial challenge is, what type of guitar is it? , is the size correct? , does it play easily? The guitar may be a huge challenge for a number
of reasons, too large of a body style... heavy gauge strings, old corroded strings, high action ( where strings are too far away from the fingerboard, )
poor intonation, ( good sound is compromised ), and the list goes on.

Solution: 
Bring the new player to an experienced guitarist or to a reputable music store / guitar service shop for help in choosing the right guitar. 
It will make a big difference in allowing the new player a chance to continue on without experiencing discomfort and poor sound.

Scene 2: "Grandpa's old Guitar"
Why go buy a new guitar when you can dig out the old guitar in the attic or whatever?  Now if we're lucky it might be a beautiful, well crafted
example the guitar but in many cases, it's not... the strings are old and there may even be a few missing. String tension, over prolonged time
coupled with either high or low humidity conditions can cause challenges also.

Solution: 
Bring Grandpa's" old guitar to a professional luthier / guitar service shop and have them evaluate it. In many cases, it does not cost a lot
to get it ready or set up for it's second or third life with a new player. There's quite a sentiment towards vintage guitars and some are worth a few bucks
so have it appraised when you bring it in.

Scene 3: "The Infamous Cheapie Guitar"
Yep, you heard it. "Why spend a lot of money on a good guitar when Billy may not even end up playing it."
As a certified Luthier and Guitar Repair Service AND an accomplished guitarist and teacher, I have to say many...yes MANY new players walk away
from what would be a wonderful instrument to learn...but...the OUCH Factor ocurred.
This is exactly the point here...if Billy can't play it because the guitar is very poorly built and it also sounds like some alien notes are spewing from it,
every time he or she strums a chord, you can kiss his or her interest goodbye. Would you buy a cheap, poorly built car for your kid's first car? Hello.
Keep in mind, if the quality guitar is not played, you can generally re-sell it for what you had into it.

Solution: 
Look for a reputable brand of guitar...Taylor, Martin, Gibson, Fender, Ibanez and Epiphone to mention a few. Start if possible, with a subsized 
guitar like a 3/4 size acoustic or a parlor model. The travel well and are easy to handle and play. Some of my favorites are the Baby Taylor ( trending at
$175. - 200 and the Taylor GS MINI ( trending at $350-400 ). If your on a budget, check out some of the Ibanez youth or student models in the $100 range.

So my friends, if you or someone you know experiences the OUCH Factor, call us or stop by the shop because we specialize in "Ouch Removal"!
We are Born Again Guitars LLC - Certified Repair, Restoration and Custom Builds Wake Forest, NC 27587
Visit us at BornAgainGuitars.com

Stay Tuned!

"Just in Case"

AKA: Care & Protection of the Guitar

Opening Scene: My basement studio

It's a band rehearsal and the floor is strewn with the usual array of 1/4" cables and XLR's. 

Enter my keyboard guy laden with the keys and he trips on a cable and I watch in horror as my 1976 Les Paul deluxe, which was on a "cheapie" stand,

heads for a faceplant on my linoleum covered, concrete floor. With a knot in my stomach, I approach the guitar, now lying face down, still echoing

the faint sounds of the A11/E chord. Slowly and carefully, I raise her up, expecting the worse...and to my delight, all is well short of a small

dent on the binding. Nothing short of a miracle...thank God.

Needless to say, I've never used a cheapie stand again...and no cords attached until it's ready to rock.

So let's talk more about protection in general. When I was in Luthier college, I remember Bryan Galloup telling us that best place for a guitar is in 

the case when not being played. Bryan is the owner of the acclaimed Galloup School of Lutherie and Guitar Repair in Big Rapids, Michigan.

Cases were designed to protect the instrument especially under the rigors of travelling to and from gigs. Not to make a pun, but in my case, it was my 

1961 Fender Strat ( which I still have ), and the hardshell case has been a good protector over the years and it was my "moneymaker" for quite a few 

years. It did not see a lot of air transport which would have required a much more protective case, but served me well.

The guitar case today comes in many styles and designs and can be anything from Aircraft aluminum style anvil cases, to ABS molded, to steel and pvc

hardshell types, heavy padded-foam filled styles, thick padded-soft sided gigbags, oldstyle chipboard and finally the thin, nylon, zipper styles which I 

refer to as dust covers only. They are all capable of protecting the instrument yet all have a specific capability and level of protection. The best example

I can remember is when I started to ride motorcycles as a kid, I bought a cheap $30 helmet and a friend asked me why I bought it. I said it was to save my

bucks. Then he said, "wouldn't you rather spend $100 and save your brain?" Then the bulb went on!

At my shop, I get quite a few guitars in for repair and lot's of them were a result of not keeping them in the case along with damages resulting from

a crappy case. I can almost trace the cause by the nature of the repair needed. It's a no brainer, less protection?...the higher risk of damage.

Here's a few do's and dont's;

Don't- leave an uncased OR cased leaning up against anything

Don't- place loose accessories in the case- use the compartments and even then put them in a cloth or bag.

Don't- Leave your case or guitar near excessive heat, moisture or cold.

Don't- Pack your cased guitar into a tight space, it may damage clasps and locks

Do- Use a protective case that matches appropriately the value of your instrument

Do- Make sure the case FITS the guitar and prevents excessive "freeplay" or movement

Do-Keep your case maintained as you would your instrument. Use proper cleaners and lubricate locks and clasps

Do- Keep the guitar In the case when not being used

As a final note...although solid body guitars are less prone to suffer the effects of "bumps" and jolts remember that acoustic guitars are are

are especially prone to have damages occur based on the construction however...in the world of guitars, treat them all with respect and care.

If you have a guitar that needs repair or restoration, feel free to call us. We treat everyone's guitar as if it were our own...and remember my

friends, "Stay Tuned"

hans

BornAgainGuitars.com

"STRINGS ATTACHED"

Ask a guitar player as to which strings they prefer-and get ready for a "cornucopia" of responses.

It's quite a subjective discussion and there is a myriad of choices out there in the sales racks.

The point is...are you selecting the best strings for your GUITAR...or for your personal liking...or both?

"Both" is the correct answer. Here's a few helpful facts you may enjoy.

As a luthier / player and  full service shop, I see a lot of guitars and at least 25-30% come in with strings that, in my opinion, are not exactly the best choice available...especially on acoustics. So let's start with acoustics, where there is a tad more discipline involved.  Acoustic guitars mandate a particular gauge of string, simply based on the design, configuration, style and construction of the guitar. The physics and design of quality acoustic guitars is an intricate craft and it is a serious business to achieve optimum performance for a fine instrument. Choice of woods, tolerances, bracing and design all play an integral part and the strings must be the gauge recommended by the maker. Although I myself am a "non conforming, free spirit", I have learned to be respectful of this rule.

My findings are that many acoustic players change to lighter gauge for ease and comfort, most times delighted with the ability to "push them around a bit more" and use more vibrato. I am guilty of that too. In those old days, I didn't pay much attention to any nuances or differences but here's what I eventually noted:

The nut of the guitar is slotted. Those slots were cut to match the gauge of strings specified...say mediums. Lighter gauge strings then would have

a tad more "freeplay" within the slots which comprimises intonation, harmonics, vibration and sustain.

Always contact the guitar maker and get string specs or google info and check chatrooms or blogs. As an authorized Taylor Service Center, we have a complete set of specs for every model and can also provide specs for many other notable guitar makers. It's always good to experiment with other

strings but keep in mind the ramifications. String tension changes will effect dynamics and usually require a truss rod adjustment, so learn what works best for your guitar.

Some players conversely put medium strings on smaller bodied guitars that require lights, expecting more volume. In most cases it does not provide any

increase in volume and if anything, will increase neck relief in which case they would have to tighten truss rod to adjust tension. The concern here is pulling up the bridgeplate and swelling the guitar top.

The other consideration is of course player style. I play fingerstyle but I also play hard so i pound, palm mute, chunk and pluck. I switched from light to light/heavy. I go through strings a bit more often than my buddies but I'm happy. But let's say your a fingerstyle player with a light touch. You may like something with medium bass side and extra light top. Also, open tunings will require more hybrid sets so you need to find that perfect combo.

Today, because of the technology and breakthroughs in string production, there is a wonderful array of hybrid mixtures. Find out also what material choices may work best for you. Nickel plated, Phosphor bronze, etc. It will help you establish "your sound and tone".

When you do wish to try different gauge strings, I suggest recording some of your music with the current strings, then change to the new set and give them some time to stretch...and record the new set. Make some notes. Play with and without effects ( clean ). You will be able to compare the nuances and find the right string choice and, life will be good.

As far as solid and semi-solid body guitars...there's more "frontier" out there...color, gauge, composition...and it relates more directly to what style

is played...heavy metal, jazz, blues, rockabilly, alternative and every other genre. Less risk here... and whether you shred, sweep, fingerpick, or strum, the choices are almost endless. Guitars and bass guitars today can be setup for just about any playing style and accommodate a wider selection of strings.

As a closing note, here at BornAgainGuitars, we often get guitars in that have "dead" I mean "dead" strings, basically corroded and rusty. It's not uncommon when someone is an occasional player, to put a guitar away without wiping off both the guitar and the strings. Not good! The strings have both moisture ( natural acids ) and dead skin on them, it also transfers to the neck and collects near the base of the frets. Try to get into the habit of wiping down the strings and the guitar after playing. This will help you get optimum service of the strings and the guitar will play much smoother. Make sure the guitar is not stored where there are any extreme temperature changes. Controlled humidity is essential to "Guitar Health" Try to keep humidity to between 50-55% RH.

So there's a couple of helpful hints my friends, enjoy the music and go find that "right string" and do your thing...it's all good.

...and  STAY TUNED!!!

Hans    

info@BornAgainGuitars.com

2. 

"Let's size you up!"

Fit, Feel and Fixes for the Guitar player.

The good news is that after thirty two years of a great marriage, I still fit the tuxedo I was married in. Fit, is a good thing, especially appreciated by my wife.

The "not so good news" is that being a guitar service and custom build shop, I constantly see folks playing guitars that "don't fit". Most times it's not intentional but here are a few classic examples of "guitar fit' challenges.

    a. The guitar was inherited or bought as a a gift and was too large or too small for the            players age or build.

    b.The model, style or condition was not suitable or effective to learn on.

                                       Good Fit is Essential!

In one particular case, a new guitar student came to me with a deep bodied, full size dreadnaught acoustic which, by all good intentions, was a surprise gift from mom and dad. Purchasing a guitar for anyone must include the players presence in order to really evaluate the fit. 

Because of my student's body shape, she could not keep it in players position and short arms labored to hold the guitar properly. This guitar became a challenge to hold and thus difficult to play. I went to my closet and pulled out a parlor guitar and it fit the players needs immediately. (Parlor guitars are smaller than standard acoustic guitars). As a result, the improved relationship between the players size and guitar made the ability to learn a pleasurable experience and energized the student with confidence. 

I sometimes wonder if the person or store that they purchased it even asked about the physical elements pertaining to fit for the student/player. It is a simple oversight but I wished I had a dollar for every pair of shoes I bought online that did not fit. You have to "try on" personal items and the guitar is no exception.

Though many factors enter into the choice of guitar, we at BornAgainGuitars start with fit. Other features of the guitar also become rudimentary such as neck width and radius, gauge of strings, action and body shape.

Let's start with hand size and finger length. Most steel string guitars have a 1-5/8" or 1-7/8" wide nut, ( the base point of the instrument scale where strings come from the tuning machines ) and this is the general spec that most players are familiar with. Nylon string classical guitars usually have a 2" wide nut for a different string spacing and playing style.
Importance here is to match hand size to neck style and size for ease in learning to play the instrument.

1 3/4"nut  

Classical nut

When choosing a "student" guitar it may be helpful to know that economy priced guitars have improved over the years but many do have somewhat high "actions" ( height of the strings from the fretboard ), that are difficult to press down causing discomfort to the new players fingers.

High humidity can also compound the situation even more. ( Acoustic guitars live well in controlled environments the likes of 68-70 degrees F with 45-55% relative humidity.)
Born Again Guitars offers customers free consultation on care and maintenance.

Finally, guitars may require additional attention to other facets such as neck alignment, truss rod adjustment, saddle / bridge, nut and fret condition, to name just a few. In most cases, these are the fixable parts of the fit and feel process...finessing your goals. 

One "Fit Scenario" I recall, was with a friend who wanted to learn to play guitar. He was a brauny 6' 4" man with considerably large hands and fingers. The 1 5/8" wide nut was not at all compatible with the hand size. 1 3/4" was also tight...then 1 3/4" ...still no go.
I suggested a classical model with a 2" wide nut and it was, to quote, not his "preference".

I thought about it and then had an another idea. He had mentioned he liked to listen to Django Reinhardt albums. We immediately started looking at Gypsy Jazz guitars and "Boom!" that was the answer. I found a 2 1/8" wide nut model and it all came together.
He now has a guitar that fits and he is enjoying it a lot.

Gypsy Jazz

At BornAgainGuitars, we see a lot of guitars and we know the importance of "Fit and Feel". 

Using myself as an example...
I'm 5'8" tall with average sized hands but short fingers and short arms. I grew up with strats and teles...they seemed to fit my hand. I played standard dreadnaught style acoustics. They also "seemed" comfy. 

Over the years my tastes changed and I started to consider trying different guitars. Classicals, Jumbos, semi-hollow, different basses too. What a wonderful adventure...and the word "Fit" took on new dimensions. I discovered OM style and Parlor guitars which quickly took a firm hold on me and I still prefer them to this day. I could play them better and with more versatility and expression. I prefer 1 3/4" with a 12-14" radius.

I also experienced different gauged strings and new radius configurations which opened up all types of new doors and musical genres and most importantly, it's helped me to pass that knowledge on to other up and coming guitarists...(and change the mind of a few "diehards" too.)

The bottom line is "Fit & feel"...it can go a long way so let BornAgainGuitars help you find that perfect fit, improve your playing and make your musical journey an exciting, comfortable and rewarding one. 

Call us at 919-906-0318 and remember...

"Stay Tuned!"

What is the perfect guitar for you?

By Michael Stierhoff- The GuitarYouDreamAbout.com

It doesn’t matter if you play acoustic, electric or bass guitar or how long you have been playing or how experienced you are. At some point you will recognize that something could be better and your instrument has a lot to do with how well you play.

I was a Rush fanatic when I purchased an Ovation acoustic guitar; I was convinced that it would give me the edge to play Alex Lifeson acoustic parts live and there is no doubt that it was a quality instrument.

But relatively quickly, I realized that the fingerboard was far too narrow and in the long run I learned that wide fingerboards with D profile necks are best for my hands.

In a lot of ways, I was lucky with that Ovation. I sold it at a profit and my personal style evolved rather rapidly.

Alex Lifeson with Ovation Acoustics

If  you’ve been playing for a while, you probably are also aware that your perfect guitar probably isn’t the perfect guitar for your best friend or for your favorite musician… we’re all different and we can waste a lot of time and money when we imagine that the perfect instrument for someone else is perfect for us.

That’s one of the big ‘takeaways’ that you will see throughout the BornAgainGuitars blog— your perfect guitar (or perfect guitars depending on the breadth and depth of your interests) is usually rather specialized; it supports your requirements 100% and anything else just gets in the way.

Tone, feel, aesthetics—  everything that contributes to your ability to play your best should be considered. From styles of music to hand size or balancing cutting-edge technology against classic mojo, the perfect guitar can be a lifelong quest.

At BornAgainGuitars, we can speed up the process and help you discover the exact sound and feel that you need to play your best. Sometimes we setup and update your current instrument and sometimes we build from scratch.  We look at all of the variables and that gives you lots of options:

Optimization

From bridge adjustments, fret crowning, polishing and new nuts to repairs and touching up the finish, optimization is a relatively inexpensive way to make your current instrument a perfect instrument. We have plenty of  tweaking experience, making small changes that provide dramatic results (string gauge, composition and height is a great example).

If your current instrument is already ‘in the ballpark’, setup and restoration is often the best way to protect your investment and make playing more enjoyable.

Upgrades and Modifications

From locking nuts and tuners to electronics, medium changes can make extreme differences. If you have the right platform (perhaps a guitar that feels perfect) modifications that build on a solid foundation can be hard to beat.

One of my personal favorite approaches is to find electric guitars that feel good and sound good unplugged. It’s relatively easy to design electronics that build on a great natural sound. Half-Out-of-Phase Telecasters, Spin-a-split Les Pauls or TV Jones pickups on an inexpensive Gretsch Jet; all are relatively simple modifications and combinations that can add tons of color and edge to your sound.  

(Here's our Cover Guitar Series for those who need a single guitar that provides a lot of diversity for live performances and Turning a Parker NiteFly into a great Cover Guitar. )

Of course you need a stable, solid instrument as a starting point and it is essential to understand the end goals up front.  That’s how BornAgainGuitars works, it a cumulative process, and mods and upgrades are a relatively fast and cost-effective way to create your perfect guitar.

Custom Design

As you would expect, custom designs are the ultimate opportunity to build exactly what you need. As with optimization and modification, it’s crucial to consider all of the variables. Of course, the great news with a custom design is that everything is possible.

From scale length to wood selection, remember that BornAgainGuitars founder, Hans Boyesen, went to Luthier school to give you every possible option. (And keep in mind that he already had the artistic experience and imagine how Abalone and Mother of Pearl inlays add aesthetic and monetary value.)

Boyesen Engraving

Boyesen Custom OO

Boyesen Custom Tele with Inlay

Ultimately, custom designs offer an incredible value because tone, aesthetics and playability are interwoven… form may follow function, but you can really make it ‘pop’ when all of your goals are built into the design.

So now you know what it takes to find your perfect guitar, give us a call! At BornAgainGuitars, we have the experience to translate your needs into the instrument that meets your ergonomic, economic and tonal requirements:

1.  Technical knowledge to optimize your current acoustic, electric, or bass

2.   Tone and touch experience to refine, modify and restore your current instrument

3.    Design and artistic experience to build an entirely custom instrument 

BornAgainGuitars.com/your-perfect-guitar.html

Compare and contrast- 1961 Stratocaster and 1962 Les Paul SG

By Michael Stierhoff at The Guitar You Dream About

At BornAgainGuitars, we help you discover the exact sound and feel that you need to play your best. Sometimes we setup and update current guitars and sometimes we build custom. And one of the best opportunities is setting up and restoring classics; because we get to compare and contrast some of the greatest vintage guitars along the way!

We recently setup a 1961 Stratocaster and a 1962 Les Paul. both are superb rarebirds and the comparison is easy— famous workhorses, in great condition, modified in the 70s, great sounding, easy to play, and truly iconic.

Vintage 61 Strat and 62 Les Paul 

But there is plenty to contrast as well—

1961 Stratocaster

The 61 Strat is the epitome of all things ‘Fenderish’- The 25.5 scale length and maple neck provide plenty of snap and brightness. The retrofitted 5 position switch gives nice ‘in between’ tones in the 2 and 4 positions and the noiseless Dimarzio pickups are a significant advantage for avoiding 60hz hum.

As expected, the Strat is chimey and clear on clean tube settings—think Dire Straights. It remains tight and focused when overdriven.

1962 Les Paul Special SG

With a 24.75 scale length, all Mahogany construction and full size Dimarzio PAFs, the Les Paul is considerable warmer. But it retains a lot of cut and bite due to the SG style and weight.

Clean tube sounds are very thick, while the overdrive is punchy, heavy, and compressed. It’s considerable less muddy than Les Paul Standards that came and before and after… but it’s not exactly an SG either. The sound is Who or AC/DCish.

Either guitar would be great for blues, rock, pop or even jazz. The Strat has the advantage for country timbres while the Les Paul has the advantage for sustain and crunch.

Why would you pick one over the other?

• Clean vs crunch- Both cover a lot of ground however,
• This Strat has a really fast attack— great for chicken picking and articulating the individual notes in a chord. It  has less sustain and thickness than the Les Paul when overdriven.
• The Les Paul has more ‘bloom’— the explosion of overtones that thickens tone after attack and encourages sustained distortion . The clean is somewhat thicker and less snappy than the Strat.
• Neck
• SG /Les Pauls are famous for exceedingly thin and fast necks.
• The Les Paul has a slight advantage with access to upper frets due to a very thin neck joint.
• The Strat give you more room ‘within the frets’ due to the longer scale and a broad, almost modern ‘D’ shape.
• Vibrato
• The Strat wins hands down if you need a whammy bar.
• Les Paul vibratos from 61-62 were nearly unusable and probably the reason this one was switched to a Badass tail piece.
• Weight 
• The Les Paul is somewhat lighter by design. 
• However, the Strat is made from relatively light ash and neither are heavy. 
• So weight isn't a major factor.

Why would you choose vintage instead of new construction? Both approaches make sense depending on what you are looking for:

• Considering CAD designs and CNC computer controlled precision available today, new construction provides more flexibility for extremely tight specifications. And hardware and electronic modifications are easy.
• However vintage guitars are still in demand for good reasons:
• Wood- You won’t find these tone woods anywhere- Modern alternatives work well with modern designs. However, the old growth ash and mahogany that made these guitars what they are simply doesn't exist anymore.
• Longevity- These are durable puppies that proved their ability to live in the real world by simply surviving. And everyone’s ear is different, but there are good arguments that the classics really do sound special or they wouldn’t be in such demand.
• Mojo- Fess up, there’s something cool about classic guitars from the early years of rock and roll;)

What is most important is that you can do whatever works for you. At Born Again Guitars, we will help you modify your current instrument, restore a classic, or build your custom dream instrument.

Of course, it takes a lot of experience to match the sound and feel that is right for you—after all there are infinite options and you may have a limited budget:)

At BornAgainGuitars, we combine the three necessary arts to meets your ergonomic and tonal requirements:

1. Technical knowledge to optimize your current acoustic, electric, or bass
2. Tone and touch experience to refine, modify and restore your current instrument
3. Design and artistic experience to build an entirely custom instrument 

Contact Michael at The Guitar You Dream About

Good news sidebar. The Strat owner has all of the original parts! It’s understandable that these rarebirds were modified for better tone and playability in the old days- At BornAgainGuitars, we’re probably never going to recommend rarebird modification. However, if you’re going to do it (or have already done it) hold on to those original parts!

BornAgainGuitars.com