1994 Yamaha FG-335ii

Here’s a lovely instrument that was rescued from a Glen Burnie Pawn (gun) shop.  When it came into our shop, there was mold? mildew? funk? all over the fingerboard, and the rest was quite filthy as well.  No idea how long it had been hanging around in its current state, but the neck and bridge both were both overly angled toward the sound hole.  Our first thought was that it may require a neck reset in order to make music again.

First we cut away the strings, and gave the guitar a thorough cleaning.  Then we allowed it to relax in a properly-humidified space for around two weeks, so that the wood could acclimate.  Amazing how the box and neck corrected after a couple weeks at the spa!

We still had to do a quick (very slight) bridge shave in order to complete the Southeast Setup (along with a new hand-carved bone nut and bridge), but we avoided a very intrusive repair, and are sending this fine instrument back into the world to again make wonderful music.

Always keep your instruments in a room where you can control the humidity.  50% is the goal.  40 – 60% is a passing grade.  And, please, take string tension off of your guitars if they are not being played regularly.  By “regularly,” I mean daily.  No need to put undue stress onto delicate architecture.

Thanks for listening to my TED Talk.