The Bench

Gibson Les Paul headstock with the bell-shaped truss rod cover between the tuners

Should You Adjust Your Own Truss Rod? (And Whic...

Yes — most players can and should learn this. Here's what a truss rod actually controls (relief, not action), how to measure neck relief, which way to turn the rod,...

Should You Adjust Your Own Truss Rod? (And Whic...

Yes — most players can and should learn this. Here's what a truss rod actually controls (relief, not action), how to measure neck relief, which way to turn the rod,...

Diagram comparing 22-fret and 24-fret guitar necks, showing the neck pickup sits about one inch closer to the bridge on a 24-fret neck

22 Frets vs 24 Frets: Does the Extra Two Frets ...

Two extra frets have no tone of their own. What they do is shove the neck pickup about an inch toward the bridge. Here is what actually changes on a...

22 Frets vs 24 Frets: Does the Extra Two Frets ...

Two extra frets have no tone of their own. What they do is shove the neck pickup about an inch toward the bridge. Here is what actually changes on a...

Illustration comparing a gloss guitar neck finish that grabs the hand with a satin finish that lets the hand glide

Why Does My Guitar Neck Feel Sticky? Gloss vs. ...

A sticky neck is the finish, not the wood. Why gloss necks grab in summer, how satin compares, whether it changes tone (it doesn't), and how to safely de-gloss a...

Why Does My Guitar Neck Feel Sticky? Gloss vs. ...

A sticky neck is the finish, not the wood. Why gloss necks grab in summer, how satin compares, whether it changes tone (it doesn't), and how to safely de-gloss a...

Diagram comparing a thick gloss nitrocellulose guitar finish with a thin satin Faded finish in cross-section

Are Gibson "Faded" Guitars Actually Worth It? A...

"Faded" means a thin satin finish, not a lesser Gibson. A bench tech on what the finish really changes, what it doesn't, the price gap, and what to check before...

Are Gibson "Faded" Guitars Actually Worth It? A...

"Faded" means a thin satin finish, not a lesser Gibson. A bench tech on what the finish really changes, what it doesn't, the price gap, and what to check before...

Diagram showing how heavier gauge strings pull a guitar neck into more forward bow (relief) than lighter strings

If You Change String Gauge, Do You Need a New S...

Changing string gauge is really changing tension, and your setup is balanced for a specific tension. Here's what actually shifts — neck relief, the nut, intonation, and floating tremolos —...

If You Change String Gauge, Do You Need a New S...

Changing string gauge is really changing tension, and your setup is balanced for a specific tension. Here's what actually shifts — neck relief, the nut, intonation, and floating tremolos —...

Illustration comparing guitar string tension for shipping and storage: tuned to pitch, down a whole step, and fully slack

Should You Loosen the Strings to Ship or Store ...

Store a guitar tuned to pitch; for shipping, drop it a whole step — not fully slack. An honest bench guide to string tension, truss rods, and headstock breaks.

Should You Loosen the Strings to Ship or Store ...

Store a guitar tuned to pitch; for shipping, drop it a whole step — not fully slack. An honest bench guide to string tension, truss rods, and headstock breaks.