Pro Guitar Tech's Most LOVED Things (and how to use them)
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- Опубліковано 4 тра 2024
- Links to Ben's Favorite Tools:
Capo (affiliate link)
sweetwater.sjv.io/c/2330848/9...
Soldering Iron (affiliate link)
amzn.to/47WhhRM
Deoxit D5 (affiliate link)
amzn.to/47WUl4Y
Deoxit Fader Lube (affiliate link)
amzn.to/3PlNTNL
Toothpicks (affiliate link)
amzn.to/44xJ88c
Wood Glue (affiliate link)
amzn.to/3R5pFbU
Razor Blades (affiliate link)
amzn.to/3YYeuDM
Lighter Fluid a.k.a Naptha (affiliate link) USE AT YOUR OWN RISK
amzn.to/45Vearu
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0:00 Intro
0:25 Capo
3:00 Soldering Iron
3:37 Deoxit D5
4:44 Toothpicks
6:25 Razor Blade Trick
9:56 Lighter Fluid (yes, really)
11:59 Wrap Up
Jimi Hendrix also used zippo on his guitar once..
He used zippo to blaze the way.
🤣
😂😂😂
And we seen how well that worked out. I use rubbing alcohol instead.
@@goswocleaned the finish right off that guitar lol
We need to have weekly or monthly "guitar tech tips with Ben" segment. These tips are so helpful specially to everyone that has no chance of going to a tech or just doesnt have the funds to send their guitar o a guitar tech
I'm a Strat owner, and often I see Strats with 'over-torqued' pickguard screws, to the point that the screwheads are dimpling the guard, it's not only unsightly, but can lead to cracking the edge of the guard, I NEVER use a powered screw driver on pick guard or Tremolo/vibrato cover screws, I'm just not in that much of a hurry. P.S., I'm commenting on your comment because my computer won't allow me to post my own (it does that every now and then).
An old Carpenter told me about Lighter fluid in 1968. He had a can in his tool carrier and I asked Him why. He explained what a good finished surface cleaner it was. I went home and tried it on the Finger board on my Strat and was sold. I mentioned it to my Dad and he showed me that he also carried a can in his tool box. All the Old-timers Knew about it, even my Mother.
Asking Questions and being Curious has served me well over my Lifetime. People have always responded enthusiastically and seemed eager to Share. Love the content! 😎
Just be careful that you don't do a Jimi Hendrix 🙂🔥🎸
Lighter fluid = naptha. Lighter fluid is about $0.85/fl. oz. Naptha is about $0.18/fl. oz. Don't buy lighter fluid. Buy naptha.
We use zippo fluid in plastic model making. Stuff has a billion uses.
@@deputyrock3489 Yeah, and it'll come in a 1l bottle, too. It's what they sometimes use as dry-cleaning fluid. Dissolves a bunch of stuff, then evaporates instantly. Of course, it's dangerous as hell, which is why a lot of cleaners go up in flames.
Jesus man, what did that guitar EVER do to you.
This is a great segment for those of us who are hobbyist musicians and want to try to do a better job of taking care of our instruments. 👏👏👏
Big time, I've been playing a long time but doing my own setups has always been daunting.
It's great for anyone who takes guitar and music seriously.
There is a tool designed to do exactly what you are doing with that razor blade. We use it in the auto painting industry. It’s a tungsten block and we use them for scraping off runs in the clear coat. They will literally last forever!
... Ben needs his own UA-cam channel, what a great, easy to understand, and knowledgeable guitar tech. I could listen to this dude share tips all day long. His vast knowledge and simple maintenance tips remind me of Dan Erlewine.
We need a 10 hour video with Ben.
Rhett! Crazy as it may sound, these two videos are among if the most valuable content you’ve ever created. Thank you! So grateful for you!
10:36 polishing, polishing, polishing 😂 Loved the @twoodfrd reference.
I was gonna say that… we have a Ted fan!!
I just use toothpicks to spread superglue globs. They work like miniature paint brushes if you smash the tips flat. I really liked this segment because he wasn't trying to sell you any specialized expensive tools only available from big name suppliers. 90% percent of luthier tools are not specifically for guitars.
yeah it only get expensive when you need precision and quality tools for nuts / fret leveling etc, but even then just taking an extra long time with skill u can get away with less, but i wouldnt recommend it
what are luthier tools for ?
Use dispenser tips, much better, never dries out and super cheap. 100 cost a few bucks and that will last most professionals a decade, so for home use, spend those 3 bucks and dispeslnse superglue accurately. You will make up for it by no longer wasting glue so it pays for itself in one bottle of glue. And no need for a cap. If it dries out snip off a cm or so and replace once you snipped the whole tip.
Lighter fluid is great for cleaning strings and will add life to bass strings which is great for that bass that sits in the corner and comes out on random occasions 😁
I'm gonna have to give that a try!
Ben Calhoun is such a chad
He left the other store?
@@marcgv He did, they mentioned it in a recent vid
Absolutely, his ego fills the entire shop...
As a fellow full time luthier/tech my one advice for Ben regarding power tools for guitar purposes is to go to Ikea and buy the electric screwdriver they offer! Plenty enough power for most simple tasks in our trade i.e. neckbolts, pickguard screws, tuning keys, etc. but have a 15 speed governor that makes it invaluable. Can screw down pickguard screws without fear of breaking the guard due to too much torque.
I agree with everything that was discussed and I’m sure there were a lot of takeaways for many.
The only no no that was done is the use of power tools; one slip and you’re screwed. Plus if the clutch is improperly set you will strip the screw, damage the head and maybe even break it off!
agreed. You need to be a jedi power tool person, be one with the tool, to do what he does. If you think you are, you probably aren't. Get a very complete set of hand tools. Nothing fancy, you can get almost everything at Harbor Freight or down in your grandfather's basement workshop.
I don't have an issue with power tools, they're using the wrong kinds. A DeWalt cordless drill motor that you build a deck with is not the right tool for luthier work. I have a Bosch power screwdriver that works wonders. It's designed for highly detailed work and have electronic chips that control the torque and speed. You cannot make it strip a screw hardly. It's not just a clutch. It senses when the screws are nearing full depth and adjust the power so it doesn't strip. But they're a little expensive. And using a regular screwdriver on the 4 neck bolts when you have to remove the neck several times would drive you nuts. Your wrist would be sore as hell.
If using a power tool on a guitar, it's a good idea to have one with either an adjustable clutch or adjustable speed. That way you can lessen the risk of over-torquing any bolts or screws, as well as decreasing the likelihood of cross-threading or having the screw go in at a weird angle.
As a frequent power tool user. They’re great for taking out. And also good for cinching screws close to depth. But in situations like this. Final torque with a hand screwdriver is my preferred method.
(Also. Those clutches have different levels of torque depending on how fast you’re going in my experience. Inertia in the chuck and what not)
I might also be worried about it slipping out of the screw and damaging the finish. Yikes. 😮
For any Australians, Naptha is Shellite here. It is amazingly useful!!!
I once maintained laptops for a salesforce. Lighter fluid was the best cleaner we had. Removes sticker and goo like nothing else.
Servisol super 10 is as good as "Dioxit" over here in the UK. Rather than razor blades I use Stanley knife blades coz' they last way longer and I have a box of 1000 in the workshop! The superglue guitar string tip is new to me and I was a shop repairer (using expensive nozzles). Superb video.
Great tips! As someone who’s been getting more into the tech side of guitar it’s nice to hear how different people approach upkeep and repair
Cool Video!
Can you do one with Ben that shows exactly his entire procedure for tuning and intonation? Sounds like he does a much more in depth job than I do and it is always great to see someone of his caliber showing his methods.
Thanks again for a great video!
Ben explains his views very well and keeps everything extremely simple. I think working on your own guitar, has always looked complicated and dangerous and that keeps most guitar players-including myself- from trying this stuff out for themselves. He definitely makes things look like it’s no big deal. Can you do more videos with his tips and tricks? These two videos are super helpful
Det are à Tool to use to det the trustrod
There is no need to take of the neck there is a tool and you only have to take off the pickgard.
Deoxit makes a spray for pots specifically called F5 that has lubricant in with the cleaner. It will not eat away at the carbon tracks in the same way D5 will. Use D5 for electronic connections that don't move and F5 for ones that do.
This is a myth that has been debunked many, many times. Deoxit does not degrade pots.
@@cloudconnect agree to disagree from personal experience
@cloudconnect I had one amplifier that D5 started dissolving some plastic in some switches. Idk if it was the propellant or some other volatile compound in it. Based on that it could cause a problem with some cp film potentiometers. Tbh, I still use it on everything.
Really great and helpful information!
Thanks for the Video, Rhett.
I could watch Ben all day showing
how things are done properly.
I absolutely love these Ben videos. I just cleaned up some junk off of the finish of my 79 Strat that had been bugging me for years. I was too afraid to use solvents on it before. Zippo to the rescue. Thank you and Ben for these tips. Love to have regular little tips and tricks from you and Ben on guitar fixes and maintenance 🎸❤️
I am loving Rhett’s channel these days! Almost feels like there’s been a refresh with the gear series and I couldn’t be happier. Thanks Rhett!
Always great to see what others do on their workbench. Sometimes you pick up a new trick or a different use for an old tool. 😎🤘
I really enjoyed this video. Very informative! Going to get some of these items.
Awesome video. This guy's got some serious knowledge. I knew a few of these but didn't know the super glue trick for filling in dings. A must-try in the future for sure!
Great stuff! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you guys. I’ve been doing my own maintenance for 45 years and I learned so many new tricks and tip. I was just getting ready to clean and restring my les paul custom and my Gibson wm45 acoustic. So from an old fart I sincerely appreciate it. John
My father taught me about using tooth picks on screw holes and about lighter fluid when I was a teen in the 70's. I still use those today. A couple of years ago I bought a new motorcycle and it had stupid safety and EPA stickers all over it. They are required to put them on the tank. Warm up the sticker with a hair dryer to get it off. Then after it cools, use lighter fluid to remove any adhesive residue that may be left.
Absolutely brilliant Rhett. Love the Zippo trick tx so much
I have a bridge off in the other room with the strings capo'd, and another with a piece of velcro doing the same work. Super glue is also the finish repair's best friend. It's amazing how well it buffs to invisibility whether it's a lacquer or poly clear coat.
I can do showroom finish quality work, but still find myself hack-smithing some projects for the sake of getting them done.
I love this guy. He say so many things that I tell all my client and students. I will say this though - People with power tools *who know how to use them correctly* will do less damage to a guitar than an amateur with a screwdriver they found in a drawer or at the back of the garage. Perfectly possible to over-tighten neck screws, strip the heads and/or threads, and crack the neck plate, by hand. Correct use of the torque control on a good power driver will make sure it never happens.
Priceless information, thanks for sharing!
Cool video. Enjoyed these guitar tech videos. Lots of gems and practical advice. Excellent!
This was so awesome and relaxing to watch
I love this guy, his calm energy. ❤
That's so great. I'm working on my own guitars for over 10 years now and I'm always using that stuff all the time. Lighter fluid to clean alsmost everything, especially the fretboard, toothpicks for the strap pins (I use the glue method) deoxit for the pots. Only thing I don't use is razor blades, but I also don't work on the finish besides relicing a guitar from time to time. I have uses razor blades for that before, but only to remove material. This is great that a pro also likes to use that inexpensive stuff, that get's the job done really well.
That was a lot of great information in a very short time- excellent!
good stuff! that said, two little notes:
there's no good reason _not_ to put the titebond on the toothpick when filling the stripped hole before running the screw in; it takes hardly more time or effort and the result will be far stronger and more reliable
that tele might have just been what was on the bench at the time of the demo but you _don't_ need to remove the neck to tweak it! the original tele design is that the pickguard slips right off without disturbing the pickup or even needing to loosen the strings, at which point you'll see a nice wide cutout between the neck pickup and the truss rod nut. adjust it with your offset screwdriver and you're good to go!
same with the original '50s P bass, those little black bakelite pickguards were really just giant truss rod covers
Ben is a legend. I’d like to see him in more videos.
I remember using old chewing gum to keep a pickup switch cap on as a kid. Probably not on Ben's list. But it did work.
I use a ALL of these as well at my shop in LaGrange, Ga. Great video!
#4 Billy Chapman did the same for my LP copy, toothpick and wood glue, I have not had to worry about my strap button for the past 20 years now.
Wow, I've learned a heap about taking care of your guitar watching your channel. Thanks so much.
ben is the best! was there this morning. i bought a 1986 RAT pedal from them, but the jack was old and was messed up, took it back and he fixed it in 5 mins!
Always a good episode when Ben is on it!
Love these kind of videos. Plus I got my own intuition a validation on the toothpicks. Did not have previous information about it, but used the idea on a couple of guitars.
Very useful stuff, thanks.
Clicked in to leave this tab open for later, immediately saw the Mills shirt, subcribing now as a result. Nice job.
A most excellent video, and really useful for everybody from beginners to pro.
There was even something for Me : the capo trick, which seems extremely useful !
what kind of toothpick? I don’t want to alter my tonewood…
Now that's funny 😂
Use the minty ones as they will actually enhance your tonewood!
I use the zippo gas to clean the fretboard sometimes, and the bridge and the strings every time I play and strings can last months without any oxide, but they still sound less bright with time, and btw its more noticeable on the E A D strings, and I have less broken string on the bridge due to oxidization because my sweat is just radioactive man, so its a very nice thing to have to clean and preserve form oxide all the metal parts. Other cleaners are probably dangerous for guitar and for your health, and zippo gas is cheap too.
On the neck adjustment with vintage neck but access, I neatly dremel a slot between the neck pickup rout and neck pocket that allows access to the truss rod screw without removing the neck. Just take the pickguard off and there you are. So handy and invisible with the guard back in place. One exception would be if the guitar was a valuable vintage guitar.
Nice video!
great stuff, could watch this all day.
Been watching vids on these guys for a while and as a GC tech in Alpharetta I did meet Ben once when he came in to our store and he was very polite to me and I knew he worked at RG in Roswell
So now I've been catching these recent vids on the loves & hates
And have to say I feel very validated because these techniques are the near exact spot on methods that I practice on my own and customers guitars everyday
Ben as I've heard and seen is well respected for his skills
I haven't ever worked a plek machine as leveling is by me done the old fashioned way
Ben can do either Im know!
Oh yes btw the "Luthier" string knots I have to deal with drive me nuts too!!!! Hate them!!
Great series and very informative! 👍
As a tech/luthier this is 100% accurate! The first one is a bonus for me though. Never thought of that. I always just used some painters tape to hold the strings in place. Thnx👍
Awesome info vid, thank you!
I see other's talking lighter fluid too. Years ago (like in the '80s) I asked an old guitar tec what his string-changing & board cleaning procedure is (was, now.) You may want to ask Ben his take on this. He told me 1st thing (on non-lacquered fretboards) after string removal was hit the board with lighter fluid followed by quick 0000 rubdown. Told me the fluid dried the wood just enough to clean around the frets really well. Clean (he used Formby's green furniture cleaner,) fretboard conditioner to re-swell, string n go. Been doin' it near 40 yrs here.
the trick with the capo is gunna come in clutch with my AV2 tele and strat when I need to make adjustments. thanks for that!
Great tips and explanation of the spotrepair, got some guitars to try that out on. I'd like to add that Instead of independent tools you could get a multitool from Ibanez, high quality tools, small size and adequate for on the road repairs and in addition a string cutter/winder from d' addario for exapmle.
Great video that will save me money, time and frustration. Thanks Rhett, well done. How about more on other guitarist needs like amps and acoustics?
I would love a tutorial on fixing an output jack wire with soder
Outstanding segment. Great tech news.
Thank you for this video. I look forward to the video that you do with your guitar tech where he demonstrates soldering. A switch, a pot, a cable, a ground etcetera. The common basic DIY repairs. It is very easy to be too hot or too cold for those of us who do not solder. “How not to make your very own cold joint” might be a title for this. Thank you.
Soldering is basically a question of experience. Don't ask me how my first soldering jobs looked. But by now I have put in new pickups and pots in more than one guitar and soldered all the cables for my pedal board. 200ft of cable and the jacks are so much cheaper than individual cables.
1. Apply Acid Flux (unless using flux-core solder)
2. Heat the electrical post
3. Dab a drop of solder on the item you want to attach the wire to
4. Trim wire insulation back 1/4"
5. Touch bare wire to cold solder
6. Apply heat to the wire until the solder melts.
7. Hold the wire in place for 10 seconds (until it solidifies)
8. Wipe excess Flux off the joint.
Stewmac sells a great truss rod wrench for teles so you don't have to take the neck off. Only the pickguard.
EVERY one of these mentioned on is my bench. You are correct, Sir!
Good content brother… Some great info for us budding techs…
Yeah, huge thanks to Ben !!
What a great and useful video! Thanks a bunch!
Sometimes when changing over to locking strap buttons the supplied screws are smaller in diameter. Using a wooden match stick and tite bond glue fills the original hole nicely. In most cases using a tiny drill bit to create a starter hole makes for an easy install. Great video
Pretty awesome video, more of that please
Great tips, thanks.
Very interesting insight!! Enjoyed that
More guitar tech videos like this. I love them. Also shoutout to Ben!
I’m using all these stuffs!!! And really, great; am doing every luthier works as diy projs(8-eg, 3-ag, 1-bg)!👍
Rhett, I’ve been watching your stuff for a while now but haven’t gotten around to subscribing until after this vid. I have really gotten into working on my guitars lately and this video for sure helped a lot! So today I become a sub! Thanks for all the awesome content man
Very Cool, Thankyou. So many useful tips. Awesome series. Cheers
On the ultra-rare occasion that I may wish to turn the truss rod nut on my '52 Tele, I do not take the neck off, or even loosen a single neck bolt. I take the pickguard off which adequately exposes the truss rod nut so that I might slip the end of a screwdriver into its slot and do the job.
Upon reading this back, it t strikes me that this operation has a somewhat sensual flavour. Well, so be it. I do love guitars.
Love listening to Ben give his tips. Sometimes though he assumes we know how to do things that we don't know how like in my case he assumed I would know how set set my intonation. I assure you I don't, but I've seen some things to help out.
this is great information ty
Great video!
Thanks for the tips!
Good tips. THanks.
So glad to see Ben back lm the channel.
Been using the toothpick solution for years (I always dip mine in wood glue) - it works perfectly. I'm really, REALLY enjoying these - I mean, how often do any of us have the opportunity to just sit and pick the brain of a pro guitar tech? This, and the one on "Things Ben Hates" (LOL) are extremely helpful, and Rhett, I'm very appreciative of you doing these!
Great advice, they teach some of these tricks in our luthery school as well! One point though, the part with lighter fluid being safe on everything is not entirely true, it might do some damage on a shellac ( french polish) finish. But, that is something you're not very likely to come across at least with electronic ones and not with factory made acoustics either, so in that way you're still pretty much safe :)
Love these types of videos!
Great Tipps, especially the lighter fluid one 🤯
Lighter Fluid!! Brilliant!! I never would have thought that would be safe for a finish.
Cool vid! Lighter fluid? That's a new one and makes perfect sense!
On super rare occations you bumb into a video that actually saves you money, this happened just now😮 I had my strap button srew loose and I was about to bring the guitar to repair shop, now it is fixed! Thank you
Freakin Excellent video! I really do like the variety of stuff you share on your channel Dude. Good on ya Rhett.
Big House is my favorite "if I hit the lottery" store in Atlanta. That Lemmy Marshall bass stack gets my attention every time, and they always have a good selection of vintage basses. I also appreciate the selection of vinyl they have in the shop, too.
Thanx brother!
I grew up in Atlanta. I've been away for a long time. Sometimes i miss it.
Whenever i do go back, I'm lost. It really has changed.
Nail polish remover works great to remove super glue, Many solvents will remove superglue and other things but obviously don’t use it on an area you glued together only use it in a situation like this were u got some in an area not intended. I have used gasoline many times to remove spray paint and the paint that’s used on roads from the paint on cars but no matter what solvent u use it has to be done with caution they are typically highly flammable, can damage the finish and when I use them them I wash the area after because even if it evaporated there is still some in the pours of the surface which can eat away at the finish. I also use this acid made to clean bare unpainted rims for painted surfaces that are oxidized or stained it makes finishes look like new in situations where u think u need to repaint but u can’t leave it on for too long just a few minutes because it will ruin the finish so it has to be washed off.
Great video. Ben is the best!
Naptha. Great Stuff. I removed ball point ink from a lovely Martin D-28 with some Naptha. It did not disappear right away, but after several weeks, I suddenly realized it was gone, and all I used was Naptha as recommended by the Martin Guitar Factory rep. Saved my lovely guitar. Cleans off on its own and with a damp rag. JT
I feel like this series is like if Tested and Rhett's channels collided. Absolutely love this. Thank you Rhett. I'm sure it's way too much of a learning curve but would love if Ben had his own channel.
Someone call the cops because Rhett is KILLIN IT