https://acousticguitar.com lessons, music to play, and how-tos for all guitarists Sun, 17 Aug 2025 15:43:40 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://i0.wp.com/acousticguitar.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/AG_Favicon.png?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 https://acousticguitar.com 32 32 103806923 https://acousticguitar.com/learn-a-hill-country-blues-lick-with-mamie-minch-acoustic-guitar-teaching-artists/ https://acousticguitar.com/learn-a-hill-country-blues-lick-with-mamie-minch-acoustic-guitar-teaching-artists/#comments Sun, 17 Aug 2025 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=148445 This Mississippi Hill Country lick turns up again and again, in countless variations by players like R.L. Burnside and Robert Belfour. So let’s learn it!]]> https://acousticguitar.com/learn-a-hill-country-blues-lick-with-mamie-minch-acoustic-guitar-teaching-artists/feed/ 1 148445 https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-how-to-cure-your-guitars-wintertime-humidity-blues/ https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-how-to-cure-your-guitars-wintertime-humidity-blues/#respond Fri, 06 Jan 2023 16:56:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=104387 Maintaining your guitar’s humidity level is key in avoiding lots of headaches, from a fluctuating setup to potentially expensive structural repairs.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-how-to-cure-your-guitars-wintertime-humidity-blues/feed/ 0 104387 https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-why-is-my-action-suddenly-high/ https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-why-is-my-action-suddenly-high/#comments Thu, 01 Dec 2022 16:48:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=107938 Action (string height) plays a big role in how comfortable it is to play your guitar. High action could be due to a lot of different reasons—some are easy fixes. ]]> https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-why-is-my-action-suddenly-high/feed/ 1 107938 https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-why-does-my-new-guitar-need-a-setup/ https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-why-does-my-new-guitar-need-a-setup/#comments Thu, 27 Oct 2022 16:09:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=107185 It can be frustrating when a brand new acoustic guitar isn't set up for optimum playability. Here are some reasons your new axe may need setup work right out of the box.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-why-does-my-new-guitar-need-a-setup/feed/ 1 107185 https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-how-to-minimize-string-breakage-and-what-to-do-when-it-happens/ https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-how-to-minimize-string-breakage-and-what-to-do-when-it-happens/#respond Thu, 06 Oct 2022 17:35:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=111111 Is it safe for the guitar, the strings, and the player to switch back and forth between standard and open tunings? Ask the Expert!]]> https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-how-to-minimize-string-breakage-and-what-to-do-when-it-happens/feed/ 0 111111 https://acousticguitar.com/why-isnt-my-acoustic-guitar-intonating-well/ https://acousticguitar.com/why-isnt-my-acoustic-guitar-intonating-well/#comments Thu, 23 Jun 2022 15:22:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=107614 Here are some things to check if you notice something is outside of the reasonable range of intonation on your guitar and it’s off enough to bother the ear.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/why-isnt-my-acoustic-guitar-intonating-well/feed/ 3 107614 https://acousticguitar.com/how-to-shop-for-a-used-guitar/ https://acousticguitar.com/how-to-shop-for-a-used-guitar/#respond Thu, 26 May 2022 15:51:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=104476 Even with a repair or two to consider, you still stand to get more for your money when shopping used or vintage. And of course, you can’t reproduce the mojo of a cool old guitar.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/how-to-shop-for-a-used-guitar/feed/ 0 104476 https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-caring-for-your-guitar/ https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-caring-for-your-guitar/#respond Thu, 28 Apr 2022 16:41:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=108260 Guitar repair expert Mamie Minch gives a rundown of some basic things a guitar owner can do, and not do, to maintain the health of their guitar. ]]> https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-caring-for-your-guitar/feed/ 0 108260 https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-why-is-my-guitar-buzzing/ https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-why-is-my-guitar-buzzing/#respond Fri, 08 Apr 2022 16:13:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=103525 Is your acoustic guitar making an unwanted buzzing sound? Here our resident expert offers some possible causes and solutions.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-why-is-my-guitar-buzzing/feed/ 0 103525 https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-vintage-guitars-and-aging-plastic-parts/ https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-vintage-guitars-and-aging-plastic-parts/#respond Thu, 17 Mar 2022 15:47:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=102594 Hello, gentle readers. Lately, I’ve received lots of questions about issues stemming from aging plastics on old guitars. From curling pickguards to binding rot, it’s one of the things that people have to bear in mind when buying and playing older instruments. Q: I bought a Martin 0-18 from the ’60s a few years ago, […]]]> https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-vintage-guitars-and-aging-plastic-parts/feed/ 0 102594 https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-is-it-safe-to-hang-my-guitar-on-the-wall/ https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-is-it-safe-to-hang-my-guitar-on-the-wall/#comments Thu, 11 Nov 2021 16:35:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=110490 Will hanging my guitar on the wall alter the setup or damage it? Expert luthier Mamie Minch offers two great reasons to hang your guitar, plus some caveats to consider.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-is-it-safe-to-hang-my-guitar-on-the-wall/feed/ 1 110490 https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-how-does-a-truss-rod-work/ https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-how-does-a-truss-rod-work/#respond Thu, 04 Nov 2021 15:35:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=102130 The truss rod is a long metal rod installed in a channel running most of the length of your guitar’s neck. Here's how it works and how to tell if it needs adjustment.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-how-does-a-truss-rod-work/feed/ 0 102130 https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-when-do-you-need-a-re-fret/ https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-when-do-you-need-a-re-fret/#comments Thu, 07 Oct 2021 15:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=102169 Should you keep the vintage frets on your vintage Gibson for the sake of the guitar’s authenticity? What's causing that mysterious metallic fret buzz? Ask the Expert!]]> https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-when-do-you-need-a-re-fret/feed/ 1 102169 https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-is-fingerboard-oil-snake-oil/ https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-is-fingerboard-oil-snake-oil/#respond Thu, 30 Sep 2021 15:40:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=108621 Does applying oil to an acoustic guitar's fingerboard have any benefits other than making it look nice? Our expert weighs in on fingerboard oil.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-is-fingerboard-oil-snake-oil/feed/ 0 108621 https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-does-my-guitar-need-a-neck-reset/ https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-does-my-guitar-need-a-neck-reset/#respond Thu, 05 Aug 2021 15:45:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=108926 Neck repairs are a common occurrence on a vintage acoustic guitar and can enhance the sound of a valued instrument. Don’t feel nervous about getting this repair done.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-does-my-guitar-need-a-neck-reset/feed/ 0 108926 https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-if-your-guitar-isnt-playing-or-feeling-right-check-for-a-loose-bridge/ https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-if-your-guitar-isnt-playing-or-feeling-right-check-for-a-loose-bridge/#respond Fri, 08 Jan 2021 16:35:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=102978 Q: Over the last few months, the action on my older Yamaha dreadnought has gotten uncomfortably high up the neck. I brought it into the repair shop for what I expected to be a setup, but there was apparently an issue that I hadn’t anticipated. I was told it could use some setup work, but […]]]> https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-if-your-guitar-isnt-playing-or-feeling-right-check-for-a-loose-bridge/feed/ 0 102978 https://acousticguitar.com/innovation-through-tradition-four-modern-luthiers-discuss-their-craft/ https://acousticguitar.com/innovation-through-tradition-four-modern-luthiers-discuss-their-craft/#respond Tue, 13 Aug 2019 15:34:19 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=112274 The world of guitar making is in an exciting moment, with exceptionally skillful luthiers handcrafting instruments to the highest standards. Many of these artisans are making instruments in ways that draw from traditional techniques and designs while bringing them into the contemporary world—through everything from porcelain resonator cones and tiny archtops to demurely dressed Gypsy […]]]> https://acousticguitar.com/innovation-through-tradition-four-modern-luthiers-discuss-their-craft/feed/ 0 112274 https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-how-to-know-when-to-hang-er-on-the-wall/ https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-how-to-know-when-to-hang-er-on-the-wall/#respond Fri, 04 Jan 2019 22:50:11 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=109175 I have a Takamine dreadnought that I bought used, and it has been a trusted companion for the past ten years. I like it because it was affordable when I was just learning, and it sounds good. It’s become harder and harder to play in the last six months, so I took it to my […]]]> https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-how-to-know-when-to-hang-er-on-the-wall/feed/ 0 109175 https://acousticguitar.com/how-to-pack-a-guitar-for-shipping/ https://acousticguitar.com/how-to-pack-a-guitar-for-shipping/#respond Tue, 30 Oct 2018 00:04:35 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=108498 You can’t control everything that happens to a guitar while it’s in transit, but there are steps you can take to protect it during shipping and handling.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/how-to-pack-a-guitar-for-shipping/feed/ 0 108498 https://acousticguitar.com/the-importance-of-a-strong-bridge-glue-joint/ https://acousticguitar.com/the-importance-of-a-strong-bridge-glue-joint/#respond Sat, 09 Jun 2018 16:55:13 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=106644 I play a Gibson LG-0 that my mother handed down to me—she got it as a teenager in the ’60s. It’s a great guitar and in pretty killer shape considering all it’s seen. A few months ago, I noticed that the bridge was pulling up. (I can get a piece of paper under the back […]]]> https://acousticguitar.com/the-importance-of-a-strong-bridge-glue-joint/feed/ 0 106644 https://acousticguitar.com/ak-the-expert-commissioning-the-right-repair-for-a-vintage-guitar/ https://acousticguitar.com/ak-the-expert-commissioning-the-right-repair-for-a-vintage-guitar/#respond Mon, 05 Mar 2018 18:02:12 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=105643 Q: I have a 1932 Gibson L-00 12-fret that appears to have had a neck reset and refret before I bought it. After finding a few muted notes around the 14th fret, I asked a local repair shop for an evaluation and was told they would need to sand down the fingerboard and then do […]]]> https://acousticguitar.com/ak-the-expert-commissioning-the-right-repair-for-a-vintage-guitar/feed/ 0 105643 https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-fixing-string-spacing-refretting-a-bound-fingerboard/ https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-fixing-string-spacing-refretting-a-bound-fingerboard/#respond Wed, 01 Nov 2017 16:04:08 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=104184 Thank you, dear readers, for all your write-in curios and questions over the past months. If I haven’t let you know, I really appreciate it. Sharing your question or concern, even about something small, can help clear things up for other readers—including things they didn’t know they needed cleared up. Below are a couple of […]]]> https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-fixing-string-spacing-refretting-a-bound-fingerboard/feed/ 0 104184 https://acousticguitar.com/why-wont-my-guitar-stay-in-tune/ https://acousticguitar.com/why-wont-my-guitar-stay-in-tune/#respond Sat, 30 Sep 2017 23:24:47 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=103856 Q: About six months ago, I bought a Gibson Hummingbird from the 1990s. Even though it was a little beaten up by the previous owner, it’s a solid guitar. It initially was a little fussy about staying in tune, but lately it’s gotten worse, and it’s particularly frustrating onstage. Why won’t my guitar stay in […]]]> https://acousticguitar.com/why-wont-my-guitar-stay-in-tune/feed/ 0 103856