This is a simple log for me. It’s my Guitar Repair To Do List for 2026 and my journey. You keep a Guitar Repair To Do List, don’t you???
“Can anyone call themself a guitarist or bassist if they have never put new strings on their guitar or bass?” – Shoshin Guitarist
Fender CD60 – Buzzing on Low E String
January 14, 2026. My only viable method was adding some “bow” to the truss rod.
The hard part was finding a good hex wrench to do so. My 4mm hex wrench from the hardware store did not give me enough leverage.
Problem solved. I purchased an Eklind “Ergo Fold” Hex Keys from Amazon.
“Just remember to loosen all the guitar strings before doing any truss rod work. Be patient, slow, and careful. Making small adjustments repetitively is better than making a BIG adjustment to start.” – Shoshin Guitarist
As soon as it arrived I began working. It’s a good tool, I knew that from the start.
I loosened the strings so I could get the Eklind Ergo Fold into place at the base of the neck by the well recessed hex hole. Just be patient, try inserting the Eklind in between different guitar strings. Be patient.
Then I was able to budge the truss rod counter-clockwise. It took some strength. But once it was budged, I adjusted it several times and the low E buzz and buzzes at 1st and 2nd fret disappeared.
I celebrated my success by playing my Fender CD60 for 30 minutes. Fun.
February, 2026 Update: The Fender’s strings are a bit grittier than I would like. They are easily 2 years old. Need to put new strings on the Fender CD60.
Peavey Predator-Plus TK – Buzzing low E String
Saturday, January 10, 2025. Bridge height was maxed out so I adjusted the truss rod. It’s a dial truss rod at the base of the neck. ChatGPT told me to adjust counter-clockwise to add some bow to the neck. I did so and it worked.
Problems Solved:
- Which way to adjust the neck?
- Adjust counter-clockwise.
- What wrench shall I use? I believe it was a 4mm hex wrench (not sure).
- You need to be careful in loosening all strings.
- Then you need to find an opening in the strings so you don’t SNAP them when you twist the hex wrench counter-clockwise.
Re-String my First Guitar
Something…
Kustom HV30 Amplifier Needs Deoxit on High Gain Dial – Just Live With It
It’s a nice amp. But it has a lot of scratchiness on its Gain dial. One day I will fix it with Deoxit spray. One day.
Solution: I have decided to just live with this nuisance. Dave Simpson on YouTube, with a similar Kustom Amp, suggested that using the Lead channel, just put Gain at 9 o’clock and Volume at Noon. Works for Dave Simpson. It will work for me. I am being Kaizen. Better is sometimes just easier than Perfection.
Fender Squier Mini Goes Out of Tune Quickly – Problems
This is a common problem with short scale guitars. ChatGPT seems to think new strings and a new bone nut will resolve the “out of tune” problem.
This year, 2026, I will do it. What’s the worse that can happen on a $40 guitar? Worst case scenario, I can take it to my local guitar guy to fix my mistakes.
Also, the frets have always been way too spikey. I suspect this Squier Mini made in 2011 in Indonesia always had spikey frets. The owners probably didn’t care for the guitar in dry Chicago winters for 14 years. So yes, the Squier Mini frets are spikey.
PS: This guitar when played, sure does sound nice to my ears.
Epiphone Les Paul Special II LE – Needs Some Small Work
It really is a nice guitar. I traded a travel guitar for it, straight up. The owner drove in from the far suburbs to make the trade.
February 13, 2026 Problems and To Do List
- Spikey Fretboard.
- The fretboard has always been a bit spikey. But it’s time for me to cure this problem once and for all.
- Truss Rod Adjustment.
- Today, in wintertime, I tried it and many notes sounded a bit buzzy. Playable but buzzy.
- I think the best solution is adjusting the truss rod. Need to “bow” the neck a bit to eliminate buzzing. That should solve it.
Jet JT300 Needs Some Small Work – Just Live With It For Now
I always wanted a Jet JT300 (I blame it on Dave Simpson on YouTube). My Jet JT300 came to me on two trades in one week.
- Traded my Dean MLX for a Cort Bass and Squier Telecaster.
- The Squier sounded odd and the guitar itself felt like just a piece of wood to me. Sorry.
- Traded my seafoam Squier Telecaster for a one year old JT300 sunburst guitar.
February 2026 Winter Problems:
The only problem is that the frets seem spikier than when I traded for the guitar 3-6 months ago. I store the Jet JT300 in its own bag and the room is humidified.
So come springtime, I will file down the spikey frets.
I might also get the Jet JT300 re-strung. I think the strings are original 9’s, they are perhaps 1 year old, and I prefer 10’s for telecaster strings.
The Glarry Thinline Semi-Hollow T-Type needed New Strings – Done
This Glarry was my first “real” guitar. Please don’t laugh 🙂
I bought it for $60 used with a set-up. I probably play it more than any electric guitar. At least every other day. It withstands temperature drops, neck is smooth without spikey frets, tuners are decent.
I think my Glarry Semi-Hollow Thinline is a Hidden Gem Budget guitar.
February, 2026 Problem Solved:
The Glarry’s strings were easily 2 years old. I took the guitar to Tom at Midwest Buy and Sell in Chicago and Tom re-strung it for $30.
Plays as great as ever. It’s now surviving its 3rd cold winter in my Chicago, IL, USA basement 🙂
Thanks for Visiting Shoshin Guitarist Today
As time goes on I will add to this guitar/bass repair list and actually make some repairs.