Setup kit from Stewmac

[iblive]

Since purchasing some goodies from Stewmac I've been on their email list. Just got this today.

STEWMAC.COM : Basic Setup Kit

Seems like a helpful kit for those of us that like to work on our own guitars... and the prices doesn't seem too bad.

 

[oldrockfan]

I've ordered many items from stewmac and have been very happy with them. Good stuff and good price and tons of helpful info on their website. If you haven't got one yet, their fret rocker is a great little tool for checking guitar actions for high or low frets.

 

[Col Mustard]

guys I know that are Luthiers tend to say, "if you buy all the great things from StewMac, you'll have a perfect shop but you'll have to work really hard to pay for it all." These guys make their own custom tools and jigs... Just like Dan Earlewine does. That said, I've bought many things from this outfit, and they always give me just what I want. I recommend StewMac over and over. But I don't buy everything that tempts me. *grins

 

[Tobacco Worm]

Stew-Mac does indeed carry great tools and products. Many of the tools I use for repairs and builds are made in my own shop. If I see something that requires a special device, often I'll build it. But again, I was trained in the old school by guys that were in the business back before WWII. I adopted their mentality with the attitude of: If you need a tool. You don't have it. Build it. But again, I do get a few things from Stew-Mac that either I don't have, or can't build with the stuff I have. Guess I'm getting tired and lazy in my old age!:) Again, I love their tools though!!

Wade

 

[dbb]

If you can build it, do so! For those of us with fewer tools, skills, or both, sometimes we have to buy a certain tool.

I've had good service from Stew-Mac and no problems. Yes they can be pricey but they are honest and reliable.

 

[Tobacco Worm]

Yup. They're the best on the market and not just a source for pots and switches! They do have real honest to goodness luthier tools! I love their double sided nut files! Handy as pockets on a shirt! Clamps and other devices that are not to be found anywhere else are at Stu-Mac. Good folks.

Wade

 

[smitty_p]

I bought some Stew Mac fretting tools when I refretted my SG several years back. They did seem nice and performed well. I would definitely buy more. But when I replaced the pots in my Washburn several years ago, I bought pots from Stew Mac and wasn't impressed with them at all. They seemed pretty cheap and I didn't like the taper, either.

When I replaced the pots again recently when I rewired it for 50's wiring, I used Bourns pots, and I liked them much better. The quality seemed better and I liked the taper better, too.

 

[CATMANDUE]

I have the same kit. I got it a while back. The straight edge and feeler gauges are my primary weapon of attack on my guitars. I've been working on guits since around 95-6? I've got proficient at it. Action + Tone = Perfect guitar. Both are equally as important to me. The first time I knew I did good was on my Washburn D10N. The first guitar I cherryed out was a beautiful White Korean Squier Strat with maple neck, that I rescued from some sleazy pawn shop in Cypress, California. Relief on the Strat was .004. On the Washburn acoustic it still is .007. I wish I never sold the Squier. I still got three great Strats now however but, a man can never have too many Stratocasters. I did not have the tools I have now when I first started working on guitars. I did get the book by Dan Erlewine. I learned how to work on guits by using his techniques in his 2nd edition Guitar Player Repair Guide. I view this book like a guitar Bible! I had it stolen once and, I was lucky to be able to buy a second one!

 

[CATMANDUE]

I've ordered many items from stewmac and have been very happy with them. Good stuff and good price and tons of helpful info on their website. If you haven't got one yet, their fret rocker is a great little tool for checking guitar actions for high or low frets.

That is going to be my next purchase from them. I feel frets and making a nut are two of the hardest things to work on. I need to make a nut for one of my guits and, I want to check the frets on it as well on this oldie but goodie. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Col Mustard]

Stewmac sells pre-slotted nuts made outa Tusq for many models of guitar, including Gibson Epiphone and Fender. These are pretty easy to install, and are cut close enough to right that you only need to do a little sanding and filing. I've replaced the cheap plastic nut on two Epiphones with these, and it makes a dramatic audible difference IMHO. They fit well, so you sand them down just a touch and glue them in with a bit of shellac, so you can tap them out without fuss if necessary. "It's so easy it almost feels like cheating."--quote from Dan

 

[oldleftySG]

Have it, use it, like it. Good quality tools.