Fret said, start a Q&A. I don’t know if he only meant acoustic guitar care or all things.

I have a Fret question. I have a parts Pbass that I put together years ago. It is all inexpensive parts with the exception of the pickups and the bridge. It is my "beater bass". I like it and it sounds great and plays really well.

I noticed yesterday that there is a hairline crack in the headstock. It is on the front and runs from the nut up to the E string tuning peg. The bass seems fine and I have noticed anything crazy, but is that going to be a problem? I would not be the end of the world if I have to eventually scrap this neck as I only paid about $80 for it years ago and it has served me very well for a cheap neck. Just wondering what to expect. TIA.

I noticed yesterday that there is a hairline crack in the headstock. It is on the front and runs from the nut up to the E string tuning peg. The bass seems fine and I have noticed anything crazy, but is that going to be a problem? I would not be the end of the world if I have to eventually scrap this neck as I only paid about $80 for it years ago and it has served me very well for a cheap neck. Just wondering what to expect. TIA.

The litmus test for a neck crack and structural integrity is the instrument's ability to stay in tune. As long as you can keep the instrument in tune on stage, it's a non-issue structurally. If you can seep red-label Titebond into the crack, that should keep it from getting longer or opening up. But that's more for your peace of mind than the instrument's well being ... if you aren't having tuning problems, particularly on a cheap neck, it's very, very likely a moot point.

Question: what about leaving guitars in cases for years?

Don't let ANY guitar sit up for years totally unattended and ignored. Pull it out at least once or twice a year and at least inspect it for problems because they will only get worse over time sitting in the case.

That being said, it's not a big deal to let a guitar sit dormant if the guitar is being stored in a friendly environment temperature and humidity wise. An air conditioned room in the Gulf South is ideal temp and humidity wise for storing a cased guitar. Store under a bed, or in a bedroom closet. DO NOT store guitars in attics, garages or non-climate-controlled storage facilities.

Also, don't let a guitar or bass sit dormant in poor condition to begin with. String tension over time isn't as bad as an instrument sitting for years with excessive neck relief, the rod will permanently bend to that position and the wood will mummify so to speak like that. Jazz Basses are the worst for this - they will develop a banana neck that cannot be straightened back out.

You can store a well set-up guitar without slacking the strings. But if you feel better slacking the strings one full step, go right ahead. Do not store a guitar with no strings or totally slack string tension without loosening the truss rod. For reasons akin to the previous paragraph.

Fair enough. I’ll go back and see if I can pull the name of the PUP

They are the “Seymour Duncan Thrash Factor Humbucker Set”

That’s what Sweetwater says. Apparently an SD-59 in the neck and the bridge has the Mustaine “Thrash Factor”.

Which leads me to another question. Does Thrash and a semi hollow guitar make sense? Or is it just gonna squeal? Gain and feedback and a hollow body? Or am I way off?

Thanks. I think I’m gonna pass on it. Save my pesos for an amp. Probably the Peavey 30.

Back to hunting.

I use a Genz Benz Shenandoah series acoustic amp, is that it?

Any Genz-Benz I should avoid?


Just a brief look on reverb and their prices are all over the place. 200-near 1000?

Just wondering if they make a a "dud".