Reshaping A Guitar Neck

Reshaping A Guitar Neck

Reshaping A Guitar Neck at Haywire Custom Shop

Guitar neck shaving, thinning or reshaping a guitar neck, re-profiling a guitar neck or shaping and duplicating guitar necks? At Haywire Custom Guitars, we do it all and as a result, you’ll feel more comfortable with your guitar. You’ll feel more comfortable with your guitar playing too. Therefore, if you have a neck that you just love but it’s a bit too thick-we’ll shave it for you.  $135.00 plus return shipping to your door will get guitar neck shaving done to a thickness more comfortable for you.  We’ll also replace the finish on the back to help preserve the wood and keep it smooth and beautiful.

Guitar Neck Reshaping: What is Your Preference, A Thin Neck or Thick Neck ?

Neck thickness should be chosen for what best fits your hands, not the “tone” it has.  Furthermore, that should be the major consideration in the choice of your new neck. The timbre of a fat neck is noticeable. However, most of the tone comes from your playing technique-not the wood.
On an electric guitar tones are affected by everything from the pickups and amplification to pedals, pickups to speaker enclosures.

Guitar Neck Shaving Is A Viable Option For Maximum Comfort

In a live playing situation “wood tones”  in an electric guitar will become even less noticeable.  Let’s say everything is equal and the guitar is perfectly in tune and intoned.  The overall sound of your guitar may be noticeably affected by a fatter/ thicker neck but generally only when you are playing without the guitar plugged in to an amp. Most of all, high gain electric guitar tone is very much dependent on a players technique and comfort with his instrument and not the thickness of a neck. Therefore, guitar neck shaving is a viable option for comfort.
Neck tone is an issue that no empirical evidence has ever put to rest. However, comfort  does affect your playing ability and technique which is what matters most in finding and maintaining your tone. Start with finding a neck that makes playing a joy and enhances your technique in a way that allows you to play your best, then:

Find the best amp that suits your ear for the tone you like. 

However, other factors to consider are pickups, effects, speaker enclosures, etc.
When we do guitar neck shaving, it’s intended for musicians who are working and need a good tool so it will play better. A guitarist’s tool is not intended to be entered into a beauty contest. If your neck thickness is an impediment to your playing, then guitar neck shaving is the right decision for you. Neck shaving is to help you be more comfortable with your guitar. A finish is applied simply to prevent moisture from absorbing into the neck wood. If you are a guitar collector, neck shaving will not improve the resale value of your instrument. Remember, anything that you to an original instrument will take value away. Collectors love all the flaws on an old guitar.

Thank you for stopping by the website and taking time to inquire about Reshaping A Guitar Neck!

The best way to communicate what you need is to either work with specs from your existing neck or send a neck along with the one you’d like shaved. Ideally the sample neck you send should be what you’d liked duplicated on the neck to be shaved. We can duplicate anything.   If you want to work from your existing neck then move the strings and take thickness measurements with a digital caliper. We do this every time a neck comes in to the shop. Take the sample thicknesses from-1st fret   3rd     5th     7th      9th     12fth frets. From those measurements we’ll be able to determine how much you need removed to make it a better playing neck for you. Similarly, we use those thickness numbers to work from.

Here is a typical example of the info we share with you when reshaping a guitar neck:

The specs as it came in were as follows: 1st fret 3rd 5th 7th 9th 12th .925 .947 .963 .977 .991 .101 After a guitar neck shaving here are the new specs as follows: 1st fret 3rd 5th 7th 9th 12th .829 .850 .890 .901 .904 .932
In the same way, we can get the reduction as close as possible within a few thousandths of what you need removed.
There are other ways to communicate your desired result, such as simply: “I’d like a 20% reduction” and we can do that.
The more specific you can be the better the outcome. We can duplicate anything you send us as well.
The other consideration is the back profile and if you’d like it to stay the same or if you want a change.

Neck Back Profiles

What is a “neck profile?” It simply refers to the shape of the back of a guitar neck. It’s also referred to as the neck “back shape.” You can find neck and back profiles here: https://haywirecustomguitars.com/guitar-neck-replacement/ Guitar neck shaving, thinning or reshaping a guitar neck, re-profiling a guitar neck or shaping and duplicating guitar necks? We do it all as a result, you feel more comfortable with your guitar.   Therefore, when you have a neck that you just love but it’s a bit too thick, we’ll shave it for you.     “Just $135.00 plus return shipping back to you will get guitar neck shaving done to a thickness more comfortable for you.   We’ll also replace the finish on the back to help preserve the wood and keep it smooth and beautiful. Best of all,
no waiting. We work on the neck as soon as it gets here. the turn around time is 2 days or less from when we receive it”.  

2 things to remember when shipping to us:

Firstly, Ship with the US Post Office. They are less expensive and much more careful  with your packages from our experience.
Second, Forget buying “signature required” services. Our postal carriers know where to leave the neck safely and securely.   These two tips will save you money, save time by getting us the neck sooner and delivered safely. “We are musicians working for musicians”    Send your neck or guitar to us here:
Rick Mariner c/o
Haywire Custom Guitars Inc.
Haywire Custom Shop
Lees Landing Circle
Conway, SC 29526 Call: 843-347-5742
http://haywirecustomguitars.com

Get: Reshaping A Guitar Neck, Guitar Neck Replacement, Fret leveling, Nut filing,Custom Guitar Neck Contours, Custom guitar neck shaping, thinning, shaving and profiling

By Rick Mariner| December 24th, 2019|A Perfect Guitar World, action on the back of your guitar neck, better guitar tone, Better More Reliable Guitar, custom guitar by Haywire, Custom guitar modifications, Custom Guitar Mods, Faster playing neck, fix your guitar, Guitar Action, Guitar adjustments, guitar comfort level, guitar comfort modifications, Guitar Education, guitar improvements, guitar modifications, Guitar Neck Adjustment Information, Guitar Neck Carving, Guitar Neck Comfort, Guitar Neck Profile, Guitar Neck Re-Profiling, Guitar neck reshaping, Guitar Neck Shaping, guitar neck shave, guitar neck shaves, guitar neck shaving, Guitar Neck Shaving Service: Haywire Custom Guitars:, Had your guitar neck shaved?, Haywire Custom Shop Original Recessed Heel Crest Option, Haywire Neck Shaving., How To Communicate The Shape For Shaving Down My Guitar Neck, http://haywirecustomguitars.com/guitarneckshaving.html, neck shave, neck shaving, One Day Guitar Repair, profiling, Reshaping A Guitar Neck, shaving, thinning|0 Comments

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About the Author: Rick Mariner

Mr. Rick Mariner Owner and Founder and CEO of Haywire Custom Guitars Inc. He is a member of The Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans (A.S.I.A.) as well as a guitar player. Rick holds a bachelors degree from University of Md.and a Masters degree from George Washington University. Rick developed his exclusive 8 – Point “Gig- Ready” guitar process that allows for Custom Guitars that are “GIG-READY”. With Rick’s many years of development and guitar set-up experience, Haywire Guitar shop “Builds satisfied players… one Haywire guitar at a time”.

Used Guitars

Used Guitars

Superficial surface finish cracks are prone to all guitars. Importantly, more in used guitars.
Strats tend to crack the paint or finish surface in that exact same spot where the neck meets the body. Used guitars are especially more prone as they have been handled more.
If you bought a guitars that was not listed as Mint, NEW or Perfect
then it’s a used guitar. Ordinary wear and tear and surface cracks are to be expected sometimes, so clearly a surface crack in the body where the neck meets the pocket is a non-issue. Equally important, if a used guitar plays well and sounds good and is in excellent playing condition
why worry?

The “Real Value” of used guitars

Remember-most used guitars aren’t beauty pageant entries, just good possibilities as great playing guitars for you.
You need to ask yourself? Did I buy this guitar to play it or look at it?
When you said nothing about how well it plays but just how it looks it’s not the guitar with a problem.
The real value of a “used guitar” is that it allows a player to have some experience with a higher end instrument without the higher cost.
I really hope as a serious player you try it to determine if it plays excellently.
Most guitar players are Divas, sure I get it. They are superficial and tend to choose instruments as they would a girl friend.
Don’t do that. It’s a tool. If you buy a dull tool-then don’t complain…sharpen it!
Haywire Custom Guitars neck and profile + back contours for ease of playing.
To an untrained eye-sometimes what may look like an issue is usually not an issue at all.
When paint is stripped from a used guitar body there will be a space where the excessive amounts of paint used to be.
As a guitar builder-I want some space for my guitar necks to align properly. That is a very important part of setup later on.

Not every neck fits perfectly tight

When adding a neck to a guitar body there are 4 axis which need to be perfectly positioned. As follows: right, left
and forward and backward neck alignment. If the neck is perfectly aligned on all of those axis-it will play properly.
When buying a used or new guitar that is what to look for.
Look at the margin space on each side between the neck and strings.
Ideally you should see the same amount of neck space from each of the “E” strings to the side of the neck-all the way down.
That will give an indication of the proper alignment to right and left axis. Further, the strings will ride just over top of each pole piece on each pickup. That is another indication alignment is correct.
Not every guitar neck fits perfectly tight with every body. It doesn’t need to.
It just needs to align and play well.

Musical Discrimination

Musical Discrimination

Musicians are and have been subjected to much musical discrimination over the years. In fact, it is still prevalent in 2019. In Myrtle Beach, S.C. county of Horry, discriminatory laws and statutes for musicians still exist.
From: WMBF News, in their investigation they discovered musician Rich Johnson, a musician from Long Island, makes as little as $75-$100 per night playing music part-time at a local restaurant. However, the City of Myrtle Beach in answer to the ” musical discrimination” issue, insists under penalty of law that he spend $100 on a “business license” and if not face up to $500 in fines or a month imprisonment for each unlicensed performance. Does this make sense? What other jobs in Myrtle Beach require a license to work? Why are musicians treated like “second class” citizens and made to pay for licenses to work?
This excessive greed directly harms the ability of law-abiding South Carolinians to earn an honest living playing music. See law excerpt below.

Musical Discrimination Business License Requirements

“(843) 918-1200

The City of Myrtle Beach is an ever-growing and thriving place to open and operate a business!  Below you’ll find information about the city’s busienss license requirements.  For answers to frequently asked questions regarding the business licensure process, see our Business License FAQ page.  To see lists of recently approved business licenses, visit the New Business Licenses page.

Questions?  Contact the Business License office directly at 843-918-1200.
BUSINESS LICENSE REQUIREMENTS in Myrtle Beach, SC

The following information represents part, but not all of the City Code pertaining to Business License musical discrimination requirements.
NOTE:  City Council has approved the following revised business license ordinance which took effect with the license year that began June 1, 2015.
Sec. 11-21.       License Required.
Every person engaged or intending to engage in any calling, business, occupation or profession,  in whole or in part, within the limits of the city is required to pay an annual license tax for the privilege of doing business and obtain a business license as herein provided, to include charitable and not-for-profit organizations as provided herein; provided however, a business license shall not be required for a promoter or vendor that is a participant in an event or convention that is contained within the interior meeting or convention space of a hotel or motel and where said event or convention is not open to the public and attendance is by registration only”.

Musicians Upset Over Musicians’ License Required By City Of Myrtle Beach

Fines of $1,095.00 per performance charged by city of Myrtle Beach

So, how did the City of Myrtle Beach react to musicians when asked about the unfair music fees? In fact, they raised the fees, then after the musicians paid the fees to perform, Myrtle Beach, banned “busking”.
MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) May 3, 2018 / 01:23 PM EDT – Myrtle Beach musicians want the city of Myrtle Beach to remove its ban against “busking,” which would allow artists to play on street corners receiving tips from bystanders. 
Dennis Fox says he started playing his guitar along Ocean Boulevard when he turned 18. In 2016, he says he bought a year-round busking pass through the city for $750 allowing him to play wherever, but the city banned all busking last summer.  In addition Myrtle Beach has also decided to charge enormous amounts to park when simply going the beach. Importantly, no more free beach parking they say! No more Mr. Nice guy. Myrtle Beach’s greed has gotten out of hand. Take a musician out to lunch today, but not in Myrtle Beach.

By Rick Mariner| June 26th, 2019|Guitar Education

How does the tone capacitor value affect the sound of your guitar?

How does the tone capacitor value affect the sound of your guitar?

Capacitors and Pots in The Haywire Custom Shop

How does the tone capacitor value affect the sound of the guitar?

Most guitars and basses with passive pickups use between .01 and .1 MFD (Microfarad) tone capacitors with .02 (or .022) and .05 (or .047) being the most common choices. The capacitor and tone pot are wired together to provide a variable low pass filter. This means when the filter is engaged (tone pot is turned) only the low frequencies pass to the output jack and the high frequencies are grounded out (cut) In this application, the capacitor value determines the "cutoff frequency" of the filter and the position of the tone pot determines how much the highs (everything above the cutoff frequency) will be reduced. The rule is: Larger capacitors will have lower cutoff frequency and sound darker in the bass setting because a wider range of frequencies is being reduced. Smaller capacitors will have a higher cutoff frequency and sound brighter in the bass setting because only the ultra high frequencies are cut. For this reason, dark sounding guitars like Les Pauls with humbuckers typically use .02MFD (or .022MFD) capacitors to cut off less of the highs and guitars like Strats and Teles with single coils typically use .05 MFD capacitors to allow more treble to be rolled off.

The capacitor value however, only affects the sound when the tone control is being used (pot in the bass setting) The tone capacitor value will have little to no effect on the sound when the tone pot is in the treble setting.

What is the difference between 250K & 500K guitar pots?

Either 250K or 500K pots can be used with any passive pickups however the pot values will affect tone slightly. The rule is: Using higher value pots (500K) will give the guitar a brighter sound and lower value pots (250K) will give the guitar a slightly warmer bassier sound. This is because higher value pots put less of a load on the pickups which prevents treble frequencies from "bleeding" to ground through the pot and being  lost. For this reason, guitars with humbuckers like Les Pauls use 500K pots to retain more highs for a slightly brighter tone and guitars with single coils like Stratocasters and Telecasters use 250K pots to add some warmth by slightly reducing the highs. You can also fine tune the sound by changing the pot values regardless of what pot value the guitar originally had.

What is a No Load guitar tone control and how does it work?

The No Load Pot is used on some Fender USA Strats, Teles and Fender basses and is wired like a standard tone control. From settings 1-9 it works like a standard tone then clicks in at 10 (full clockwise/ bright setting) and removes the pot and capacitor from the circuit. This eliminates the path to ground that exists with standard pots even in the full treble position. By eliminating the path to ground through the pot, the only load on the pickup is the volume pot. So, if 250K pots are used, the load is reduced from 125K to 250K and if 500K pots are used, the load is reduced from 250K to 500K (high resistance = low load) The reduced load allows more power output from the pickup and reduces the amount of high frequencies that bleed off to ground. This gives a noticeable increase in brightness and output in the full treble setting. The no load pot can be used in place of any standard tone control on any guitar or bass.

Does the number of control pots used affect the sound of a guitar?

Yes: Since the load on the pickups is determined by the total parallel resistance of all pots that are being used, using fewer pots will reduce the overall load and give a slightly brighter sound. Connecting more pots is the same as using lower value pots, two 500K pots will lose or "bleed" the same amount of treble frequencies as one 250K pot. To lessen the effect, switching should be designed (when possible ) to remove pots from the circuit when the related pickup is not selected. An example of this is the Les Paul: bridge controls are out of the circuit when in the selector is in the neck position and the neck controls are out of the circuit when the selector is in the bridge position.

Ordering From Haywire Custom Guitars

If you would like to order this or any other custom guitar, please contact us and we will be happy to discuss your guitar needs.

Posted by HaywireCustomGuitars

Active Guitar Pickups - What Are They?

Active Guitar Pickups – What Are They?

Guitar pickups that are active can make a huge difference in your sound

Active guitar pickups low-impedance. They also enhance your guitar with quiet operation and lower magnetic requirements. Consequently, there is no unnecessary pull on the strings. Heavy passive magnetic pickups will hamper sustain or pull your strings out of tune. Big huge pickups hamper sustain. Active pickups will not do this. YAAYYY!  There are a variety of ways to “Activate” a pickup.  A small “buffer” preamp will do the work, but it will also amplify the hum and buzz the pickup produces. Just because any pickup is “active” doesn’t mean you’ll get great results just a strong, clean and quiet signal.  In The Haywire Custom Shop-we like EMG pickups. They are one of our favorite.

Active guitar pickups are reliable, clean, in addition, sound great

Active guitar pickups are reliable, clean, in addition, sound great and utilize an internal pre-amp (inside the pickup). As a result, not only makes the pickup louder, hence reduces the noise and they were made to be active!  In EMG’s the pickups have higher output than traditional passive pickups. The internal preamp is the most efficient way to operate an active pickup. All connections are shielded.  The output of the active pickup cable is low Z. Activation makes your pickups less susceptible to noise. Also, it avoids sloppy loose connections in a guitar and installation is easy. Easy installation. They have also introduced “solder-less” connections for players who want more simplicity. If you feel more comfortable with solder, cut the connectors off.

The output of the active pickup is low Z

Some find that the output level of your EMG pickup is too hot to get clean tones. The best fix is to reduce the height of the pickup.  The proximity of the pickups to the string has a lot to do with higher volume. If that doesn’t do it for you, then use the amp and guitar volume controls.

you can snug these pickups high right up under the strings

Unlike a traditional passive volume/tone system, the low-impedance EMG system lets you turn down the volume with very little effect on the tone, so you won’t sound muffled when you back off the volume knob. This is much like the Haywire Treble Bleed Option for passive style pickups.  Especially relevant you can snug these pickups high right up under the strings so they’ll hear much more subtle sounds, harmonics  percussive notes other pickups fail to hear.
Active guitar and bass pickups require a battery. The EMG has the “Select” models which are passive and don’t need one.  The pre-amp in the active pickups styles, located inside the pickup encased in epoxy, and is powered by either one or two 9 volt batteries. The EMG active pickups after-burners, numerous effects and EQs are powered by a 9 volt (IEC 6LR61/NEDA 1604A) battery.

Active guitar and bass pickups require a battery.

We recommend normal alkaline batteries (Eveready or Duracell, for example) for best results. These are easy to obtain, inexpensive and the same batteries that you would use in an effects box or wireless unit. Rechargeable batteries in EMG systems are not recommended. Although they are compatible electrically, They be problematic and have some “memory” issues.

Active Guitar Pickups Use Electronics To Improve The Sound of Your Guitar

EMG Active guitar pickups, EMG effects and EQ units can run off a single battery usually with no problems. Because the power drain on EMG products is very low,  you can get long battery life.  Furthermore, unplug when you’re not playing to maximize battery life..  If you have room for multiple batteries in your guitar, you can use two batteries wired in series to power your onboard circuitry for a total of 18 volts.

the power drain on EMG products is very low

The output level will not increase, but you’ll have more headroom and crisper sounds. This is excellent for percussive/slap bass styles where you can generate large instantaneous power levels across the entire frequency spectrum.
You can also wire two batteries in parallel to provide a regular 9 volt supply but with much longer lifespan between battery changes. Most of EMG’s  products are rated for 27 volts they recommend a maximum of 18 volts.  Any benefits of 27 vs. 18 volts are negligible.

jack included with all models has a switch that disconnects the battery

All EMG pickups and EQ systems are designed for extremely low power drain. The pickup jack included with all models has a switch that disconnects the battery when the guitar is not plugged in. So, unplug when you’re not playing as a good housekeeping measure to maximize battery life.
Each of their pickups requires about 80 microamps (uA), except for the Vintage Series pickups which require 220 uA each. EMG active EQ circuit requirements vary widely but are higher than pickups. NOTE: a standard 9 volt alkaline battery provides 580 milliAmpHours (mAh) of power. That means that it will provide 580 milliAmps for 1 hour or 1 milliamp for 580 hours. There are 1000 uA per mA. You can figure the approximate battery life of any setup by adding up the individual power requirements, then dividing 580,000 by this total. Here’s an example:
1 – EMG-81 = 80 uA
2 – EMG-SV = 220 uA*2 = 440 uA
1 – EXG = 410 uA
——–
Total required = 930 uA
Total life = 580,000 uAh/930 uA = 623 hours
If  your guitar stayed plugged in day and night, the battery would last a month. Under normal playing conditions, you would probably be looking at changing the battery once or twice a year.  Of course, you should always carry a spare battery and not try to drain it! Because EMG pickups are designed operate as Active guitar pickups, they’re not very functional without power.

you should always carry a spare battery

When the battery weakens over time, the output level will reduce and sound from your guitar will become more distorted. This is a sign to change the battery now. Below a certain voltage, the onboard active circuitry will stop working.  At  that point, you will hear little or no output from the guitar. Remember:  Unplug your guitar because of the output jack and battery relationship when using active pickups. Disconnect the cable when your guitar is not in use. This will prevent premature power loss from the battery.

Active guitar pickups can make a huge difference in your sound

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Could Your Guitar Be A Roadblock To Success?

Could Your Guitar Be A Roadblock To Success As A Guitar Player?

A hard to play guitar could be a roadblock to success as a guitar player and musician. At Haywire Custom Shop, we prep a guitar with our "8 Point Gig Ready Process”.  Of course not every step is completely necessary on every guitar, for example if the pickups on the guitar we are working on are potted (dipped in wax) no need to cover that again.  As a result, our process has an underlying agenda.

we avoid problems that create roadblocks to your success

Which is to act as a screening tool for an overall view of your guitar integrity as well as play-ability. By going over each step it can and often does lead to checking into other issues that need attention. So, basically we do a preliminary forensic guitar test to determine the overall baseline health of the guitar.
The most important part of your guitar is its neck.  Because all guitar necks are subject to great stress as a result of string tension and seasonal change, there are times when a neck may take on a slight bow (or warp) or neck hump.  However, if it does, there is no cause for alarm we'll find it when we check for the straightness.

insure your success as a guitar player

Therefore we avoid problems that create roadblocks to your success as a guitar player.  As they arrive in the shop, each guitar neck is checked and adjusted to be sure it is true and straight to ensure proper alignment on all axis. This step ensures proper action and allows for better and consistent string height and easier guitar tuning and playing. If a neck is bowed, then playing at the bowed area in the neck is always more difficult. The reason is that the strings are higher off the neck at the area of the bow. A player has to remember to slightly change his/her technique when playing around that spot. Rather than have to deal with that we make sure the neck is parallel to the strings and all action up and down the neck is the same. In that way, a player only has to think about the  music and not how hard to push down the strings in certain problem spots.  Finally, our inspections and fixes can help insure your success as a guitar player. Make sense?

 Play Effortlessly

Posted by HaywireCustomGuitars

Installing A Bolt-On Guitar Neck

 Installing A Bolt-On Guitar Neck

    at: Haywire Custom Guitars Inc.

If a bolt-on neck will drop in a body with a bit of room to align it right or left that's a good choice so far. Generally when I prep or order a neck I'll fill the heel screw holes. If there are holes already drilled in the neck heel in it then you can try to use them but never trust holes on necks drilled by someone else.  It's always best for the most successful project to drill your own holes in the neck heel (and have a depth stop so you don't drill through the other side and blue tape works well). The optimum way with the least headaches is to simply dowel the holes. Use wooden Bar-B-Que skewers then add glue in the hole break them off in the holes, sand smooth and you ready to go. Now with a fresh clean surface to work with you can move to the next step.  So let's go over how to get it PERFECT.  I have used this method in hundreds of neck installs and it is the best technique. As follows and note: You'll need to add the "two E" strings to the neck before final installation on body to set the string margins exactly.

First: Tape the neck plate onto the back of the body vertically and horizontally leaving the holes exposed. Next, using a "C" clamp, add the neck, body and neck plate together and place a thin piece of wood in each jaw to protect the guitar fret board then tighten. Snug it but not too tight. Now, add the two outside "E" strings. This is where a very slight gap between the sides of the neck and body comes in handy and extremely helpful. 

Setting the margins is a critical operation, however not difficult.  Once you have clamped the neck and added the 2 outside strings, face the guitar and move the neck right or left to get the string margins set perfect on each side of the fret board all the way down.

Once this is done then you can enter the final installation steps. Take care to "mark the screw hole depth" on the drill bit with tape bit so as not to drill through the front of the fret board.  Ready? Tighten the clamp, spin the guitar around and drill one hole. Add the first screw (some liquid dish detergent always helps the journey for the screw threads to enter smoothly), spin the guitar back around to check your string margins again and the neck hole alignment within the back plate. If the neck needs adjustment then tap hard on the head stock with the heel of your hand to get everything aligned again. Now you're ready for the rest of the holes to be drilled.

 It is not a difficult process but methodical and deliberate. You follow this on EVERY install and your necks will all come out with the perfect amount of margin space between the outside strings and the edges of the fret board.Once in the neck may need shims to tilt it either up or back. Be sure and add shims if necessary. They are sometimes critical to eliminating "Buzz".

  This technique will assure that everything is straight and true. The small gap will help to accomplish this and give you enough room to set the margins exactly right on each side.  Let me know if I can assist further. Also please write us from the Haywire Custom Guitars website and let us know what you're interested in.   

Rick Mariner-Haywire Custom Guitar Shop

Ordering From Haywire Custom Guitars

If you would like to order this or any other custom guitar, please contact us and we will be happy to discuss your guitar needs.

"Tune Up" Your Guitar!

Has your guitar become a little difficult to play sometimes? Does it sound, "out of tune"? Are the strings too high off the neck?

  "Tune Up" Your Guitar!                       

Has your guitar become a little difficult to play sometimes?  Does it sound, "out of tune"?  Are the strings too high off the neck?  Is the neck warped or bowed?  Are the tuning gears difficult to turn?  Are moving parts rusty?  It could be that your guitar needs a tune up!

A hard to play guitar could be a roadblock to your success as a musician, so if you want your guitar to play better and faster, let Haywire prep your guitar with our " 8 Point Gig Ready Process".

It's like getting it ready for the Grand Prix!  This is the same process that we perform on all of our new instruments, and it will put your “baby” back in shape, and allow you to play fast and in tune up and down the fret board like never before!

Bring your guitar back from the dead with a well-deserved tune up from Haywire Custom Guitars!  This includes cleaning the electronics,  the fret board,  tightening any loose hardware,  adding the proper washers to the input jack and tightening it to make sure it stays tight,  re-stringing, adjusting the truss rod, cleaning and adjusting nut slots,  set string height and intonation!  See our whole process below. 

Point 1:  4 - axis alignment of the guitar neck

Each guitar neck is checked and adjusted to be sure it is true and straight to ensure proper alignment on all axis. This step ensures proper action and allows for more accurate and easier guitar tuning, playing and set-up in the following steps.

Point 2:  Inspect and lube the guitar tuning gears

Before installing the guitar tuning gears, each one is checked thoroughly. Each tuning gear is adjusted so that there is no play in the mechanism. They are then lubricated to insure smooth and even movement to make your guitar tune accurately.

Point 3:  Potting the guitar pickups

We dip the pickups in hot wax to reduce squeal and unwanted guitar feedback.

Point 4:  Prep the guitar body

Upon installing the guitar electronic components, great care is taken to ensure that all wires are properly routed, spaced, and grounded to ensure years of trouble free service with your guitar.

Point 5:  Level and polish the frets

This insures that all of the guitar frets are level, eliminating any possibility of fret buzz due to unevenness.

Point 6:  Radius the guitar strings

Most guitar necks have a contour over the top of the neck called the radius. We adjust the strings to make sure the height of each string follows the contour of the guitar neck radius.

Point 7:  Adjusting the overall guitar string height and the action

Once we set the contour and radius of the guitar strings, it’s time to adjust the overall height of the strings from the top of the frets to the bottom of the guitar strings.

Point 8:  Set the guitar intonation

This step is done twice. The intonation is set two times with a 24 hour "seat-in" period in between to allow the guitar to properly re-seat to the new adjustments.

Make your guitar play and sound like your favorite instrument once again!  For more information, visit

Help With My Guitar

For special occasions or just because, giving a guitar is the quickest way to make someone feel special. The future is now: you can set the delivery date for up to 12 months in the future.

 Send one now.

Give a Guitar by Mail

Ordering From Haywire Custom Guitars

If you would like to order this or any other custom guitar, please contact us and we will be happy to discuss your guitar needs.

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Buzz Kill - There are two kinds of guitar buzz......

There Are Two Kinds Of Guitar Buzz......

 

The first is a mechanical or "guitar fret" buzz from high frets or very low action on a guitar where the frets haven't been leveled on the guitar fret board. This kind of guitar buzz rarely translates through an amp.

 

 My friend Curtis called me when he discovered the cause of a recent "mystery guitar buzz"  thought to be in his guitar but instead when he switched off his "push-on" style knob in his music studio to operate on the dimmer lights the "buzz" disappeared. He asked if I knew about that. Sure I knew about it. Sometimes we forget to share information with our friends until they jog our memory. Thanks Curtis!  Now that you reminded me of the buzz. Musicians have a lot to deal with during performances: club owners, equipment failures, another band playing on their stage tonight because someone double booked etc. It also reminded to to share some solutions with my guitar playing friends to make their lives a bit easier.

The second  type of guitar buzz is an "electronic or electrical guitar buzz" from extraneous and malfunctioning electronics, poor ground circuits, loose guitar ground wire and variable resistor switches. These inline with the circuit the amp is plugged into can wreak havoc. For this problem solver we'll concentrate on the most common forms of electrical buzz that drive musicians crazy.

What Curtis discovered was how a rheostat acts in a circuit with a guitar amp. What is a "Rheostat"?  Simply, a device used to regulate an electric current by increasing or decreasing the resistance of the circuit. Some common uses of a rheostat are to dim stage and room lights, to control the speed of an electric motor.  They are used to control the volume of a "house" sound system. It's usually in the form of a push-push on-off wall light control button in place of a light switch. They are used to lower the lights in a room,club, on-stage, in-studio and drive musicians crazy. Armed with this information you are now more prepared to do something.

Some solutions: Calm down. Think. Get your heavy duty extension cord. Look for alternate sources of power in the room. You're looking for an isolated output, ensuring that any electrical noise and interference present on the incoming power supply is filtered out. Try each outlet until the buzz is gone in which case you are no longer in the circuit with the problem. If you still have a problem check to see if you are using a three prong plug. That is important. Most of all you need a good ground. Therefore be sure you have all three prongs working due to any ground issues

Another effective solution to use is a "power conditioner".

Why?  First of all, it has an isolated output, thereby ensuring that any electrical noise and interference present on the incoming utility supply is filtered out. Simply put, a "power conditioner" is used for surge protection and noise filtering. The rig I use has an amp top mounted 3 space rack. There is a power conditioner in one of the spaces (see photos below). As a result if you use a power conditioner or try all of the above solutions something is bound to go right!

Haywire Custom Guitars 

Buzz Kill - There Are Two Kinds Of Guitar Buzz......]

 

Since power line conditioners provide effective and reliable protection against voltage fluctuations they clean up line disturbances. They deliver an enhanced level of power protection consequently referred to as a ‘CLEAN’ supply. - See more at: Power Conditioners

Your guitar needs an isolated output, hence ensuring that any electrical noise and interference in the area on the incoming power supply is filtered out. Kill your guitar buzz.

 

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Guitars In Conway, SC

Home/Custom Guitars in Conway SC, Guitar Repair in Conway SC/Guitars In Conway, SC

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It’s hard to find repair work for your Guitars In Conway, SC. It’s always great to hear from players when work is performed for them because I never feel as if the job is complete unless I do. It’s the only way our continued improvement can be measured. We are available for local musicians here in Conway SC.
We are craftsman, techs, luthiers. We are musicians working for musicians who fit, tailor and build Custom guitars in Conway SC. at the 2007 Lees Landing Circle location for people with custom needs. Also we design and
build guitars for players with orthopedic issues. For example: If they play every day for a living when the guitar is just too heavy. Then we build guitars for men and women who need extra light guitars or specific design needs.
Haywire Guitars builds and customizes for professional musicians world wide.
Locals have few options which is why we exist for walk-ins.
When customers arrive we have an interview process to determine
the best possible product for their need then build it.
Our goal is to provide a great Pro-level gigging
instrument for the average work a day player playing for a living.

Haywire Custom Guitars location @ 2007 Lees Landing Circle in Conway, SC.

We don’t make any money on Reverb, Ebay or any of the auction sites it simply provides us with free advertisement and a platform to demonstrate what we can really do in our custom guitars shop at a great price. So when players think of a new custom build, maybe they’ll think of Haywire Custom Guitars. Our location is on the Waccamaw River just outside of Conway, SC off of Highway 90 on Lees Landing Circle.

Customer BJ Craven

The area is uncluttered, quiet, spacious and comfortable for players needing work on their guitars. There is, Wi-Fi, amps, guitars, testing equipment, parts and new guitars available there. Call, drop in and check out the work we do. You’ll love it! Haywire Custom Guitars Shop: 843-347-5742.

By Rick Mariner| May 31st, 2019|Custom Guitars in Conway SC, Guitar Repair in Conway SC|0 Comments

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About the Author: Rick Mariner

Mr. Rick Mariner Owner and Founder and CEO of Haywire Custom Guitars Inc. He is a member of The Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans (A.S.I.A.) as well as a guitar player. Rick holds a bachelors degree from University of Md. and a Masters degree from George Washington University. Rick developed his exclusive 8 – Point “Gig- Ready” guitar process that allows for Custom Guitars that are “GIG-READY”. With Rick’s many years of development and guitar set-up experience, Haywire Guitar shop “Builds satisfied players… one Haywire guitar at a time”.

My Guitar is Not a Thing. It is an Extension of Myself.

It is Who I Am.

Our Reverb Store
Contact Us

A Perfect Guitar World

Call Us Today ! 843-347-5742|haywire@sccoast.net

• Custom Guitars for Pros
• Testimonials From Our Customers
• About Haywire Custom Guitars
• Custom Guitars
• Buy Now
• Services & Guitar Repairs
• Your Custom Guitar
• Images-1,000 Guitars Gallery
• “Click” to Hear Music
• Haywire Custom Guitars Blog of Guitar Articles
• Haywire Newsletter
• 
  

A Perfect Guitar World

This is a guitar world now of changing your own parts. Players mistakenly think they are experts when they change a part and it works.
In a perfect guitar world that happens. As you know it’s not a perfect world.
We do it all. We’re not simply “parts changers” but Luthiers, techs and craftsman.
We build from scratch and refurbish used guitars as well. Craftsman are no longer getting into the fields of Art in Industry, refurbishing or woodworking. Luthery skills are not taught in schools.
We are a custom guitar shop in South Carolina and have been building guitars for over 30 years.
Sometimes we build our own necks. However, we will add whatever our customers want.
We are not beholding to any company. We do neck shaving, profiling, installation etc.
Our necks are branded sure, on the head stock designs we create.

Musicians working for musicians

We have lots of guitars in the store, but if we have nothing set up exactly how a player needs it-then we get “real custom”.
Therefore, if it requires a change to another neck with a new install to get you a smaller, thinner profile, we’ll do it. We can use one of our necks, but if a customer desires to send a neck to install on a new guitar we can remove the existing neck and add the one they choose.
Everything is done here that you can’t get in a music store. We are musicians working for musicians.
The goal is the get the right guitar in the right hands and a happy guitar player results.
When customers can state a very specific need, the outcome is naturally better. Above all, we listen.
In many cases, a player will ship a favorite neck to be duplicated for size, width and thickness.
Therefore, one of our necks can be used for that. It’s called a “baseline” neck.
A “baseline neck” is a starting point to create the final product for your perfect guitar world.

Guitar Neck shaving in the Haywire Custom Guitars-Custom Shop

This is a guitar world now of changing your own parts

Meanwhile, if a customer has huge hands and we have to start from scratch, but say Warmoth, Fender, Allparts, USA Customs
has one already built that is close-then that is the route we’ll take.
The cost varies according to what companies will charge for their “baseline” neck.
Our baseline neck has always been a very reasonable: $135. We work quickly and accurately.
The turn around time to add a neck is maximum 2 days and usually just one day.
Most importantly, these are just some of the things that we think about every day to make your custom guitar exactly right for the guitar player who needs a great instrument for his or her passion-PLAYING GUITAR in a perfect guitar world!!

We’re building satisfied players….. One Haywire Guitar at a time!!

When someone contacts the Haywire Custom Shop to re-build a guitar or do a repair sometimes it’s the same feeling that a doctor has about operating on his own child. It’s hard to let go of the guitar-even
for some minor updating and modifications.
So, trust is the key. Once the player has faith that we care and will do a good job then the process begins in earnest.
We also have available: “One Day Urgent Care Guitar Services“
for any special needs guitars needed. We’ll do it in one day.

 Rick Mariner| May 29th, 2019|A Perfect Guitar World|0 Comments

About the Author: Rick Mariner

Mr. Rick Mariner Owner and Founder and CEO of Haywire Custom Guitars Inc. He is a member of The Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans (A.S.I.A.) as well as a guitar player. Rick holds a bachelors degree from University of Md. and a Masters degree from George Washington University. Rick developed his exclusive 8 – Point “Gig- Ready” guitar process that allows for Custom Guitars that are “GIG-READY”. With Rick’s many years of development and guitar set-up experience, Haywire Guitar shop “Builds satisfied players… one Haywire guitar at a time”.

My Guitar is Not a Thing. It is an Extension of Myself.

It is Who I Am.

Our Reverb Store
Contact Us