03/18/2026
Is your instrument performing at its peak? Whether it’s a long-forgotten heirloom or your daily player, we provide the precision repair and "TLC" needed to ensure optimal playability.
Recent Project: Had this beautiful Left-Handed Fender Strat on the bench recently. After a full setup, a fresh set of strings, and sorting out a wonky tuning key, it's playing like a dream. This classic Strat is officially ready to wail on some classic rock.
Message us today to schedule your repair or setup.
Tech Tip: Taming the Wonky Tuning Key
There is nothing quite as frustrating as a guitar that refuses to stay in tune just as you're getting ready to wail.
The good news? A loose or slipping tuner usually isn't permanently broken; it just needs a little preventative TLC. Here is how you can keep your hardware tight and your tuning stable:
Snug the Button: Take a look at the very tip of the tuning button. You'll often find a small screw there. This doesn't just hold the button on; it actually adjusts the turning tension of the internal gears. Keep in mind that adjusting this tension is usually for vintage tuners or vintage-style tuning machines. If a key feels floppy or slips easily, giving that little screw a slight tightening turn is often the instant fix.
Check the Mounts: Turn your guitar over and look at the back of the headstock. The small mounting screws holding the tuning machines in place can slowly vibrate loose from hours of playing. Gently snug them down with a precision screwdriver. Word to the wise: These go directly into wood, so just make them snug—never over-tighten, or you'll strip the hole.
Mind the Nut: Sometimes a tuner gets the blame when the real culprit is a sticky nut. If you hear a "ping" sound when tuning and the pitch suddenly jumps, the string is binding in the nut slot. Next time you change your strings, color in the nut slots with a regular graphite pencil. The graphite acts as a dry lubricant and lets the string glide smoothly.
Take five minutes to check these spots during your next string change, and your guitar will reward you with rock-solid tuning!
