If you're going to be adjusting your truss rod, you should have a straight edge with fret reliefs cut into one side. That's the best way to evaluate the results of any adjustment. A string height gauge is also usually easier to read than a 6" rule for action height. At least it is for me. The Big Rock bridge pin puller is also much easier to use than the pulling notch on the D'Addario string winder/cutter. Just a few of my opinions. I like your list!
For string to fret measurement, I use a digital caliper. I have Stew Mac's combination gauge, but find it hard to read accurately---one of their few specialty tools that has been a disappointment. ---If all frets are down tight, a regular straight edge is fine. I only use the notched one for spotting fretboard anomalies---just a matter of choice, though.
Always wanted a Gibson Hummingbird and now that Reverb has their “B-Stock” web presence, I just might be able to convince the wife that I need just one more! ;-). Merry Christmas to you Tony, and the entire Polecastro family!
I enjoy your channel. In fact, your resonator review got me to Republic, and I now have my favorite guitar out of the many I have built and bought over 56 years---but, struggling like Bernie. I can build an acoustic or an electric that is top quality, but really do not play well anymore. I used to e a pretty good Delta blues fingerpicker, but age, arthritis and the same "EC" nerve damage are making me struggle. My luthier shop has finally been moved to my garage from 3 years in very expensive storage. Not in my basement yet, so not usable, but at least here. That means that as soon as we get more than sparse electricity in that basement, I can move it in and hopefully return to building, repair and detailed, custom setups, before I die (74 with a very bad heart- no possible treatment). I have 4 guitars, 2 acoustic and 2 electrics in process, but they have been waiting those 3 years in storage, and, sadly, the Imbuia "back", unjoined, has cracked; that is for a guitar for me, a short-scale 12 string. Luckily, the bent sides were clamped in a good mold and survived the storage intact, and the neck and blocks are done. The Englemann Spruce also survived. BY THE WAY, my "REPUBLIC" is a polished nickel Parlor Rocket UFO. I was able to spend real time with their setup man and so it came to me about as close to my own setup as could be expected. At present, I am subscribed to Mike P. and Rick B.'s Ear Training Course, but, I owe you.
Always keep a drawer full of your favorite strings and other guitar mish mash items like bridge pins, tuner gauges, picks, alternate accessories, replacement tuners and screws, old T-shirt for wiping, etc.
🚩 Right on the Money!! Only miss was Humidifier..I like Oasis.. Simple, effective,lasts! Low price. A must Have!! I need a good less expensive guitar to work on Truss Rod. On my Good one,it's Stuck( I think) may be too gentle? Thanks Tony
I have all these tools except for the neck cradle. I guess I'll get one for Xmas! I would add some sand paper, super glue, and some bone dust to the list. Oh, I played about a half dozen Charlie Pride songs with my dad when they were new! 1960s and 70s. Showing my age.
Hi Tony, TAC member and guitar geek. I started TAC seven months ago and have a question about finger nails on my picking hand. How long should they be and how do I take care of them? As a man I never let my nails grow long so I only know how to cut them short. Maybe you could do a short tutorial on Acoustic Life.
Sorry, fat fingered above. A couple more must haves in my tool kit. Fretwire guards to safely clean, sand, and polish the fret wires without damaging the wooden fretboard, and wrench(s) to lightly snug up those loosened tuning machine head nuts on the headstock when replacing the strings. I use some other homemade items, but I won't bore you with those.
Hi Tony, beautiful Bourgeois there, I have the same model... amazing. What type of wood is the sides and back? Mine is fiddle back mahogany. Bourgeois makes incredible instruments.
After over 30 years of playing, the capo is my friend now. I have a Epiphone acoustic that I about about 3 years ago. When changing the strings a few weeks ago, I noticed that a couple of the tuning pegs were very stiff without any strings. Does anyone have suggestions on how to fix this or which new tuning pegs to buy and replace with?
I don't like bridge pin pullers. They don't fit well on the pins and if they slip away you run the risk of scratching the sound board. I use a cork. It's easy, cheap and without the risk of scratches. If the strings are loose you can simply reach into the body and press the pins out from the inside with the cork. You have no cork? No problem, buy me a bottle of wine ...
Hi there I'm Stephen I'm interested in getting a blue chip pick I use large triangles mostly Raven .63 or Dunlop ultex .60 I play mostly lap mountain dulcimers I have 8 what would be the equivalent blue chip? Any feedback would be awesome and y'all have a Merry Christmas!!! THANKS
@@texhaines9957 According to one of the forums that I read, Lowden used to include a wrench with their guitars. Not anymore. You can't even buy one on their web site. They don't sell them. Nobody does. I think I need to stick my hand in the sound hole with a very short 5mm hex wrench and try and get to it. Very frustrating!
@@davidm.kesslerfineart1717 I have 2 HD-28s. The newest one I have is a 2006. One way truss rods. They changed to two way rods sometime after that. They didn't even have truss rods until 1985 I believe.
Tool list: dedicated guitar tooth brush; 0.5 mechanical pencil lead to lubricate nut slots when changing strings.
Get a string height gauge from Stu-Mac. Has lines to make adjustments easy. 😎🎁🎄
Damnit Tony!
You need to do acoustic Tuesdays a bit later so I can be home from work and be watching live! 😆
Best acoustic show on TH-cam 🤙
If you're going to be adjusting your truss rod, you should have a straight edge with fret reliefs cut into one side. That's the best way to evaluate the results of any adjustment. A string height gauge is also usually easier to read than a 6" rule for action height. At least it is for me. The Big Rock bridge pin puller is also much easier to use than the pulling notch on the D'Addario string winder/cutter. Just a few of my opinions. I like your list!
For string to fret measurement, I use a digital caliper. I have Stew Mac's combination gauge, but find it hard to read accurately---one of their few specialty tools that has been a disappointment. ---If all frets are down tight, a regular straight edge is fine. I only use the notched one for spotting fretboard anomalies---just a matter of choice, though.
Always wanted a Gibson Hummingbird and now that Reverb has their “B-Stock” web presence, I just might be able to convince the wife that I need just one more! ;-). Merry Christmas to you Tony, and the entire Polecastro family!
Even though my tuesdays are my sundays, acoustic tuesday always keeps work out of the mind! Thanks for the stories as always!
0000 Steel wool to polish up the frets once a year is also a must have to keep your guitar goodlooking
Great show as always Tony 👍👍
Thanks for reminding me , I need to get a neck cradle and stop struggling with out one 😊
I enjoy your channel. In fact, your resonator review got me to Republic, and I now have my favorite guitar out of the many I have built and bought over 56 years---but, struggling like Bernie. I can build an acoustic or an electric that is top quality, but really do not play well anymore. I used to e a pretty good Delta blues fingerpicker, but age, arthritis and the same "EC" nerve damage are making me struggle. My luthier shop has finally been moved to my garage from 3 years in very expensive storage. Not in my basement yet, so not usable, but at least here. That means that as soon as we get more than sparse electricity in that basement, I can move it in and hopefully return to building, repair and detailed, custom setups, before I die (74 with a very bad heart- no possible treatment). I have 4 guitars, 2 acoustic and 2 electrics in process, but they have been waiting those 3 years in storage, and, sadly, the Imbuia "back", unjoined, has cracked; that is for a guitar for me, a short-scale 12 string. Luckily, the bent sides were clamped in a good mold and survived the storage intact, and the neck and blocks are done. The Englemann Spruce also survived. BY THE WAY, my "REPUBLIC" is a polished nickel Parlor Rocket UFO. I was able to spend real time with their setup man and so it came to me about as close to my own setup as could be expected. At present, I am subscribed to Mike P. and Rick B.'s Ear Training Course, but, I owe you.
Tony, I’m REALLY hoping we can finally meet in person next summer for the next Acoustic Life Festival! Be sure to bring Noah and Levi along!
Charlie Pride and his wife were both clients of mine when I lived in Dallas - wonderful people.
Always keep a drawer full of your favorite strings and other guitar mish mash items like bridge pins, tuner gauges, picks, alternate accessories, replacement tuners and screws, old T-shirt for wiping, etc.
I really want to learn how to do lots of my own work on my own guitars
🚩 Right on the Money!! Only miss was Humidifier..I like Oasis.. Simple, effective,lasts! Low price. A must Have!!
I need a good less expensive guitar to work on Truss Rod. On my Good one,it's Stuck( I think) may be too gentle? Thanks Tony
Excellent List Tony. This is another reason I watch your show.
I have all these tools except for the neck cradle. I guess I'll get one for Xmas! I would add some sand paper, super glue, and some bone dust to the list. Oh, I played about a half dozen Charlie Pride songs with my dad when they were new! 1960s and 70s. Showing my age.
Hi Tony, TAC member and guitar geek. I started TAC seven months ago and have a question about finger nails on my picking hand. How long should they be and how do I take care of them? As a man I never let my nails grow long so I only know how to cut them short. Maybe you could do a short tutorial on Acoustic Life.
Good to see your show again Tony thank you!
Your top ten list today was excellent; however ten is not enough 😁 I work on and restore guit
Sorry, fat fingered above. A couple more must haves in my tool kit. Fretwire guards to safely clean, sand, and polish the fret wires without damaging the wooden fretboard, and wrench(s) to lightly snug up those loosened tuning machine head nuts on the headstock when replacing the strings. I use some other homemade items, but I won't bore you with those.
Knew Charlie Pride music back in the day. From Helena MT
Fast Fret : love that stuff.
Hi Tony, beautiful Bourgeois there, I have the same model... amazing. What type of wood is the sides and back? Mine is fiddle back mahogany. Bourgeois makes incredible instruments.
These are top tips 😀 thanks
Keep it up Tony. Love your enthusiasm :)
Speaking of pretty guitars....Purple Martin!
After over 30 years of playing, the capo is my friend now. I have a Epiphone acoustic that I about about 3 years ago. When changing the strings a few weeks ago, I noticed that a couple of the tuning pegs were very stiff without any strings. Does anyone have suggestions on how to fix this or which new tuning pegs to buy and replace with?
I don't like bridge pin pullers. They don't fit well on the pins and if they slip away you run the risk of scratching the sound board.
I use a cork. It's easy, cheap and without the risk of scratches. If the strings are loose you can simply reach into the body and press the pins out from the inside with the cork.
You have no cork? No problem, buy me a bottle of wine ...
Hey Tony, i can't find an inspection mirror anywhere..where did you find your?
🚩LOVE WATCHING ❤️
What is the Manufacture's name for the Guitar Cradle you are using?
use a go pro instead of a mirror to look in side of a guitar.
What neck cradle are you using?
may be someday I will be able to afford joining the tac family
love that guitar....can anyone tell me the brand name ?
@TONY Hey at 1:30 you said to put a capo on the 3RD FRET but you cleary have it on the 6TH FRET. Whats up with that??
Is it the 3RD or 6TH FRET??
I have all these tools 🤠
Hi there I'm Stephen I'm interested in getting a blue chip pick I use large triangles mostly Raven .63 or Dunlop ultex .60 I play mostly lap mountain dulcimers I have 8 what would be the equivalent blue chip? Any feedback would be awesome and y'all have a Merry Christmas!!! THANKS
TERROR @ 3:31 Someone severed the neck from the guitar.
Have you ever attempted to adjust the truss rod on a Lowden? So far, I find it impossible.
Lowden sent a wrench with the guitar, I thought.
@@texhaines9957 According to one of the forums that I read, Lowden used to include a wrench with their guitars. Not anymore. You can't even buy one on their web site. They don't sell them. Nobody does. I think I need to stick my hand in the sound hole with a very short 5mm hex wrench and try and get to it. Very frustrating!
What I really need is a 5mm "triple bend" wrench, but it's impossible to find.
@@binocencio710 thanks for the info on the wrench.
I don't think the guys at Thompson Guitars could have been more Koi about the decorative accoutrements on their Masterpiece 2 and it's case... ; - }
This comment sounds fishy to me, but a super pretty guitar. Nice catch of nature's beauty. Thanks
Capo. 👍
So at least my shorty playing isn’t due to my lack of 10 must have guitar tools ... have all of them and then some ...
Tony,
I have been looking and can’t seem to find the mirrors. Any suggestions on where to find them? Jim D.
Harbor Freight or Amazon. Look for a mechanic's inspection mirror. Tons of them out there.
Hi Tony i am the first
I believe Martin truss rods only go in one direction. So be careful!
They are adjustable in both directions.
@@davidm.kesslerfineart1717 I have 2 HD-28s. The newest one I have is a 2006. One way truss rods. They changed to two way rods sometime after that. They didn't even have truss rods until 1985 I believe.
@@jamesmorrison2063 I have 8 Martin’s from 2000-2020 models and mine tighten and loosen
@@davidm.kesslerfineart1717 You might want to check with Martin.
@@jamesmorrison2063 I have no reason to do that - everything I have works great.
20 minutes Tony seems like the show is getting shorter and shorter. When are you going back to the studio I miss the old format
Actually with the holidays, I don't mind Acoustic Tuesdays shorter and more focused.
Yes, I prefer the shorter format. Less filler, more succinct and to the point.
I miss the whole studio set and the mail bag and etc. , etc.
a jesus beard is guitar tool #11
Need lovely 😍💋 💝💖❤️