Tools, Tools, Tools…

Some tips for you if you’re interested in building or maintaining your own guitars.

Tools are like guitars – you can never have enough (I look forward to your comments!). But when it comes to building and repairing guitars, it seems that there are a lot of specialist tools that you could spend a small fortune on. A few companies, one in particular in Ohio, have made a name for themselves offering tools that save luthiers a lot of time, money and mistakes made using the wrong tools. 

Of course, some of these tools are very similar to normal tools you can get in any DIY shop. Or are they? When can you get away with ‘normal’ tools, and when do you absolutely have to have a dedicated luthier-designed tool?

If money were no object, then this wouldn’t be a problem! Here are a few tools that I have found to be indispensable and really can’t be replaced by your grandfather’s hand-me-downs. 

Quick disclaimer! The photos are of my tools so they may show signs of wear. Other brands are available.

nut files, guitar builder, luthier Suffolk

Nut files

I tried everything first, except spending the cost of a steak dinner for two (including drinks) on a set of three files! I tried regular small files, saw blades, feeler gauges wrapped in abrasive paper, and other ideas. But having a set of files made to the exact width needed to make an accurate slot is worth a lot more than that birthday meal out. Cutting a nut correctly is crucial to having a guitar that plays properly, and stays in tune, so you’re always better off biting the bullet and doing it right. A set of nut files will pay for itself very quickly. 

Notched ruler

If you want to check the straightness of a neck (that has frets…) then you need a notched rule. Buy one for each scale length you are likely to encounter, including bass scale lengths, and you’re set. Placing a ruler on the top of the frets to see if the neck is straight doesn’t take into consideration the potential irregularity of the frets. Use a file with notches that go either side of the frets and you can see easily how straight the neck is. 

notched ruler, Luthier tools
shinto rasp

Shinto rasp

This might not be a specialist tool, but it’s certainly one I find indispensable. There are a lot of rasps on the market, but the Shinto rasp is by far the best and easiest to use. It’s efficient, sharp and makes rasping a joy. A good day, for me, is when I get to use my Shinto rasp. I just can’t live without it!

String height gauge

Ok, it’s basically a ruler. But the thing is that you can keep it level on the frets to measure string height, and it’s accurate. Instead of having millimetres marked on it, it has marks horizontally in 0.25mm increments. Perfect. It makes a ruler far too fiddly, and it’s another tool that I use every day and it makes me happy!

string height gauge, luthier tools, Suffolk luthier
truss rod spanner

Correct socket spanners (for truss rods)

Some truss rods, like those used by PRS, require a socket spanner instead of an Allen key. Trying to find a spanner that is the right size and small enough to fit in the space left around the truss rod end can be very difficult, so it’s easier just to use the right tool made for the job. 

Long truss rod allen keys

When the end of a truss rod is so far inside the neck that a normal size Allen key won’t reach it, get one that has a longer shaft. Normally sold by luthier tool companies, they save you scratching headstocks and getting frustrated. 

Nylon socket spanners

When undoing nuts, particularly on pots, you don’t want to scratch the guitar body or knurl the nut when your spanner slips. Nylon sockets fix both problems. The ones I have are bright green so you can find them on a messy workbench!

Fret leveling beam

This is another tool that I tried to make do with before giving in and buying the proper one. Milled from steel, rather than just cut, a fret levelling beam will get your frets absolutely level, which saves you a ton of headaches when setting up, and of course plays better.

fret crowning file, luthier tools, guitar builder Suffolk

Fret crowning file

The thing with fretwork is that you need to do it right or you’ll chase your tale trying to fix a problem that you probably can’t see. In fact, fretwork is perhaps the most crucial part of a guitar that needs to be done right, and that does mean getting the right tools. With a fret crowning file, you’ll make sure the shape of the fret is right and you don’t mark up the fretboard. If you’re using flat files, you may be using a lot more guesswork than you need to. Of course, with time and practise you can use a regular file, but why make it harder for yourself?

Fret bevel file

Yes, another fret tool. Getting the bevel on the fret ends right makes them look tidy and professional. You can try making one yourself, but in the interest of time, buying one just makes sense. Your fret ends will look uniform and clean. Nice! 

fret bevel, guitar builder, guitar repairs, Suffolk

There are a few gadgets and jigs I’ve made over the years to make things easier (like an old jack plug with thread attached to it for removing the jack socket in a hollow guitar), but I think this covers the ones that I discovered couldn’t be replaced with DIY counterparts. At the end of the day, you need to get the job done right, and efficiently. Sometimes that means buying the right tool for the job. 

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