5 Ways to upgrade your Guitar for less than 100$
Telecaster and Tools
Upgrading your guitar doesn't have to break the bank. With these five simple and affordable upgrades you can improve the playability and tone of your guitar without spending a lot of money. Take some time and take your guitar to the next level!
1. Get a bone nut!
Telecaster Bone Nut
The nut is a small but important component of your guitar's setup. It's the piece of material that the strings rest on at the headstock, and it affects the tone and playability of your guitar. Upgrading to a bone nut is a simple and affordable way to improve the sound and tuning stability of your guitar. Bone nuts are known for their tonal clarity, sustain, and the way they help your guitar stay in tune. While it's possible to replace the nut yourself, it's recommended to have a professional do it to ensure proper fitting.
2. Invest in Locking Tuners
Tightening Les Paul Locking Tuners
Tuning machines, or tuners, are what you use to adjust the tension of the strings and tune your guitar. Upgrading to higher quality tuning machines can improve the tuning stability of your guitar and make it easier to keep in tune. Look for tuning machines with a locking mechanism and a higher gear ratio, which will allow for better tuning stability and finer tuning adjustments. Swapping out tuning machines is a fairly easy process and can be done by most guitarists.
3. Set the right pickup height!
Adjusting Telecaster Pickup Height
The height of your guitar's pickups can have a big impact on the tone and output of your guitar. Adjusting the pickup height can help you achieve the desired tone and balance between the pickups. Experimenting with the height of your pickups can also help you find new sounds and tonal possibilities. To adjust the pickup height, you'll only need a screwdriver a ruler and your ears. Be sure to adjust each pickup individually to get the best results.
4. Adjust the action!
Adjusting Telecaster Action
The action of your guitar refers to the distance between the strings and the frets. It affects the playability and feel of your guitar. A high action can make playing difficult and require more pressure on the strings, while a low action can cause buzzing and make it harder to bend notes. Adjusting the action of your guitar can help you find the perfect balance between playability and tone. To adjust the action, you'll need a wrench or screwdriver to adjust the truss rod and saddle height.
5. Polish your frets!
Polishing Telecaster Frets
Over time, the frets on your guitar can become dirty and corroded, which can affect the playability and tone of your guitar. Polishing the frets is a simple and affordable way to improve the overall feel and sound of your guitar. All you need is a 1000 grid fret rubber and a 8000 grid piece of sandpaper. Simply rub the fret rubbber over the frets to remove any dirt or grime, and then use the sandpaper to polish the metal and restore the shine.
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