I'm just wondering what the most common mistakes you can make with a guitar which could cause the structure to distort?
Thanks!
These are the main ones that I know about:
The Lazy Planner:
Leaning the guitar casually against a wall or furniture, instead of putting it on a stand, will often lead to the depressing sound of twanging strings and crunching wood, as it falls over. This usually results in anything from a modest dent or scratch to a snapped headstock. Guitar shops see a steady flow of embarrassed guitarists with snapped headstocks glumly asking if they can be fixed. Almost 90% of guitar players can relate either a lucky escape or a disaster story. The other 10% probably aren't being entirely honest...
The Hot Car Trick.
Nothing like a few hours in high heat to warp a neck or provoke a crack (direct sunlight through glass works especially well).
The Luthier Wannabe
Fiddling with settings, when you don't have a clue what you're doing never really goes out of fashion either. Many an eager newbie, who should have had the bridge adjusted, has misunderstood what needed doing and tried giving the truss rod a hefty swag of turns just to see what happens. Don't.
The Hempel Junior.
I know somebody who lost a mandolin when a family member sat on it. But the prize for the most dramatic version of this trick goes to GN regular Joe Hempel who lost an acoustic guitar when he discovered his small son sitting IN it. Or what was left of it....
The Casual Friend.
If anybody called Townshend asks to borrow your instrument, think twice before offering it.
Apparently Reznors are a risk too.
But, in my experience, common sense and reasonable treatment usually seems enough. My guitars have survived being owned by me, which is quite a testament to their robustness.
:wink:
The Hempel Junior.
I know somebody who lost a mandolin when a family member sat on it. But the prize for the most dramatic version of this trick goes to GN regular Joe Hempel who lost an acoustic guitar when he discovered his small son sitting IN it. Or what was left of it....
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
I've learned my lesson, make sure you learn yours.
In Space, no one can hear me sing!
FANTASTIC post Chris...your the man :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
:lol: Great post Chris :lol:
You missed one tho'... Lighter fluid and guys named Jimi :D
You missed one tho'... Lighter fluid and guys named Jimi :D
Darn.... you're right ... :oops: These days there's always something I forget.... :wink:
Good to see Ballybiker here again too. :)
Chris ...... you have made me laugh again. Too funny! :lol:
"Work hard, rock hard, eat hard, sleep hard,
grow big, wear glasses if you need 'em."
-- The Webb Wilder Credo --
That was funny and about covers it. 8)
Just want to add, overtightening strings. :?
Mistakes with the significant other can cause a great deal of distortion at times, and also falls down flights of stairs.
Like a bird on the wire,
like a drunk in a midnight choir
I have tried in my way to be free.
"Divebombing" a guitar without a trem bridge by pressing against the top front of the body and the back of the neck runs a certain risk. I've heard of a Dano exploding during this maneuver.
"A cheerful heart is good medicine."
Mistakes with the significant other can cause a great deal of distortion at times
Didn't I read on here one time that someone's angry wife or girlfriend torched the shed where the band kept all their gear?
Great post, Chris. :lol:
All my life I wanted to be somebody. Now I see I should have been more specific.
"Divebombing" a guitar without a trem bridge by pressing against the top front of the body and the back of the neck runs a certain risk. I've heard of a Dano exploding during this maneuver.
Neck bending ... The thought of it makes me cringe! :shock:
"Work hard, rock hard, eat hard, sleep hard,
grow big, wear glasses if you need 'em."
-- The Webb Wilder Credo --
Pete Townshend has physically distorted guitar bodies and fretboards.
"A cheerful heart is good medicine."
"It breaks my heart to see big stars smashing perfectly good guitars" :note2: :note1: :note2: :note1:
"Work hard, rock hard, eat hard, sleep hard,
grow big, wear glasses if you need 'em."
-- The Webb Wilder Credo --
Mine, too!
"A cheerful heart is good medicine."
