ao link
Amps
Boost and Overdrive
Delay
Distortion
Fuzz
Guitars
Modulation
Pitch
Reverb
Utility
All
All

The Science of Guitar Headstock Ergonomics - Seeking the perfect Shape!

Acacia GuitarsCaparison GuitarsDoerr GuitarsErnie Ball Music ManESP/LTDFramus and Warwick GuitarsFriedman GuitarsGibsonGrainger GuitarsGuitar Gear Improvements and PrototypesGuitar Gear ResourcesGuitar MaintenanceGuitarsHartung GuitarsIbanezIconic GearJacksonKnaggs GuitarsNik Huber GuitarsPeavey GuitarsPRS GuitarsSchecter Guitar ResearchScott Walker GuitarsStone Wolf GuitarsSuhr GuitarsWashburn Guitars+-
2023-GPX-Trapezoidal-Headstocks-700.jpg

This is my third feature on headstock ergonomics - following on from my 2016 original, and 2018 follow-up. On this occasion the catalyst for this article was the recent Birmingham Guitar Show - where I liked a lot of the body shapes I saw on display, but was put off by their unergonomic or in fact actually rather ugly headstocks.

 

Creating an aesthetically beautiful but distinct headstock shape is an incredible difficult task these days - and lots of brands essentially ’fail’ in that area - ...

Stefan KarlssonPopularCommentsRSS FeedContent Subscriptions

Best of Swedish, Finnish and Norwegian Guitar Pedals and Pedal Builders

BJFEBjörn JuhlBoostBoost and OverdriveCompressorDarkglass ElectronicsDistortionDriveDual-DriveEBS SwedenEffects Pedal MakersElektronFuzzGlitchGuitar MaintenanceGuitar Synth and SequencerHimmelstrutzMad Professor EffectsMarshall Style DistortionOverdriveParasit StudioPedal PlanetPladask ElektriskSilicon FuzzSoundBrutUtility+-
2019GPXBestofSwedFinNorBuilders700-min.jpg

As mentioned in my Danish/Denmark pedals feature I had initially intended to do the Best of Scandinavia, but Denmark has so many internationally known brands I had to separate them out. For the remaining Scandinavian countries Sweden is obviously the strongest here with 6 featured in the Top 9 listing, then 2 Finnish and only 1 Norwegian brand of significant note.

 

Probably the most significant persona in Scandinavian pedal design / building is Swede Björn Juhl - who has pretty much ...

Stefan KarlssonPopularCommentsRSS FeedContent Subscriptions

The Really Useful Sub £100 Guitar Tools and Utilities Gift Guide

Crimson GuitarsEbowErnie BallGear MaintenanceGruv GearGuitar AccessoriesGuitar MaintenanceGuitar ToolsIbanezMusic NomadPlanet WavesPower SuppliesRoadie 2 TunerRoadie TunerTC ElectronicThaliaTrue ToneTunersUtilityWittner+-
2018GPXGuitarGearGifts700-min.jpg

These are all tools, utilities and gadgets that I have and love and use all the time, or are on my wishlist for imminent acquisition. I’ve chosen to stick to the more casual side of guitar maintenance - and have thus excluded things such as fret-rockers and the like. If you want to do full setup, intonation and nuanced maintenance of your guitar you will need some more serious tools than these - these are really just for everyday maintenance, string changes, quick restore, buff and polish...

Stefan KarlssonPopularCommentsRSS FeedContent Subscriptions

Thoughts on Modifications, Partscasters and Kit Building, and DIY Guitar Making in general

Analysis PlusBen CroweBig Leg CircuitsChristopher OwenCrimson GuitarsDarrell BraunGear MaintenanceGuitar AccessoriesGuitar Gear Improvements and PrototypesGuitar Gear ResourcesGuitar Gear RetailGuitar MaintenanceGuitarsPaul Reed SmithPRSSchallerSeymour DuncanThe Tone KingWarmoth Custom Guitar Parts+-
2018GPXPRSS2SinglecutSatinMod-min.jpg

This article was inspired by a number of things really, but most recently triggered by a few YouTube videos - by Louis The Tone King and Darrell Braun. I’ve been an avid follower of Louis, Darrell and one Ben Crowe over at Crimson Guitars for a few years now. I have watched all of Ben’s crazy guitar builds and have for a long time been tempted to go on one of the Crimson Guitar Building Courses and make my own axe as it were.

 

In my recent feature about Guitar Tuning ...

Stefan KarlssonPopularCommentsRSS FeedContent Subscriptions

Further Thoughts on Guitar Tuning Fidelity, Locking Machine Head Types and Arrangement

Ernie Ball Music ManGear MaintenanceGuitar Gear Improvements and PrototypesGuitar Gear ResourcesGuitar MaintenanceGuitarsIconic GearMachine Heads and Tuning PegsPaul Reed SmithPRSSchecter Guitar ResearchScott Walker GuitarsWarmoth Custom Guitar PartsWashburn Guitars+-
2018GPXTrapezoidHeadstocks700-min.jpg

The last time I covered this subject - ’The Shape of a Guitar’s Headstock has a significant impact on Tuning Stability’ I focused more on what the issues were rather than the solutions. Here I will go into slightly more detail about the science of guitar tuning fidelity and all the little gains that can be made by doing things properly! This article was sparked in part by my recent article on 9 ’SG’-style guitars, where I really decided for once and for all that I would never buy a guitar with ...

Stefan KarlssonPopularCommentsRSS FeedContent Subscriptions

The Guitar Setup Checklist

Guitar IntonationGuitar MaintenanceGuitar SetupGuitar Setup ChecklistKnow Your GearPhillip McKnight+-
2016AfBlgGuitarSetup

I’ve reported before how disappointed I was with a recent guitar setup. Being a follower of ’Know Your Gear’ guru Phillip McKnight, I have taken it upon myself to adapt his own excellent setup checklist - with a view and a mission towards creating a universal standard that all guitar owners and technicians can make use of.

 

Phillip McKnight guarantees his work for 12 months, which lends itself to an annual MOT-style checkup - which I believe is the right sort of ...

Stefan KarlssonPopularCommentsRSS FeedContent Subscriptions

The Shape of a Guitar's Headstock has a significant impact on Tuning Stability

Ernie Ball Music ManFeaturedFenderGibsonGretschGuitar AccessoriesGuitar Gear ResourcesGuitar Gear RetailGuitar MaintenanceGuitarsIbanezIconic GearJacksonLP-Style and Single-Cut GuitarsMachine Heads and Tuning PegsMetal GuitarsOffset GuitarsPaul Reed SmithPRSRickenbackerSchecter Guitar ResearchSG-Style GuitarsS-Style and Double-Cut GuitarsT-Style Guitars+-
2016AfBlgGuitarHeadstocks700

Note - follow up article [here]

 

Many a owner of a vintage guitar has experienced the difficulty of keeping the guitar in tune. There are a couple of factors here that are critical to tuning fidelity. Firstly, get over the hangup of having to use the original tuners - you really need locking tuners for any reasonable peace of mind. Locking tuners are available in a vast variety of shapes and types, including various vintage-inspired ones, so it should not prove to be problematic to find a ...

Stefan KarlssonPopularCommentsRSS FeedContent Subscriptions

Guitar Accessories, Tools and Resources

Beat MachineCablesGuitar AccessoriesGuitar CaseGuitar CleanerGuitar Gear ResourcesGuitar Gear RetailGuitar MaintenanceGuitar OilGuitar StandsGuitar StrapGuitar ToolsInstrument InsurancePicks and PlectrumsPower SuppliesStrap LocksStringsTunersUtilityWireless+-
2016AfBlgGuitarAccessories700V3

Beyond the Guitar there are a variety of other accessories you need to have in order to play, protect and maintain your guitar and playing. I’ve listed essentials at the top, and then additions for Maintenance. depending on how much of that you wish to do. Most guitars come with a basic set of tools - necessary allen keys and truss-rod wrench, but not much else. Most Ibanez owners get the benefit of a freely included amazing guitar multi-tool which is also available to buy and recommended...

Stefan KarlssonPopularCommentsRSS FeedContent Subscriptions

Are UK Guitar Stores and Technicians not as Professional as their American counterparts?

Guitar Gear ResourcesGuitar Gear RetailGuitar IntonationGuitar MaintenanceGuitar Quality AssuranceGuitar RepairsGuitar SetupGuitar Technicians+-
2016AfBlgGuitarTecs700

As reported in a previous post, I recently got back into guitar after several years’ absence. I will do a separate later post about the decision making process which led me to my new guitar. When I received it however and in my dealings since, I have become acutely aware that the UK does not seem to adhere to the same quality standards / standards of professionalism as the USA.

 

There was some mystery as to the state of my guitar when I first received it - it was supposed to be ...

Stefan KarlssonPopularCommentsRSS FeedContent Subscriptions
News Navigation






















































Gerimaya Whyte
Some Thoughts on the Sheeran Looper+ and Looper X
"May opt for the Sheeran+ at this point for a "...
19 hours ago
max pixs
The Tanabe Zenkudo Dumble Drive is truly an inspiration machine full of verve and vibrancy
"Hi, I have a Kondo Shifuku D-Style, an in-depth "...
1 day ago
James Moses
Favourite Guitar Tuning Pedals and Devices of different sizes
"I'm sure you know by now, Peterson did "...
2 days ago
Stefan Karlsson
Why and How Cioks' Future Power Generation Series of Power Supplies is the Best in Class!
"Yes the Cioks Hi5Mod is a sort of special edition "...
4 days ago
Alev Guran
Some Thoughts on the Sheeran Looper+ and Looper X
"Hi Stefan, I’m not a looper pro but I use my "...
10 days ago
Waiting