Latest Blog Posts
String Theory: A Practical Guide to Guitar, Bass, Mandolin, Ukulele & Violin Strings
A practical guide to string materials, gauges, tension, coatings, construction, setup effects, and string choices for guitar, bass, mandolin, ukulele, and violin.
Guitar Gods: Picks, Strings, Guitars, Amps and Tunings
A carousel-style reference covering reported pick choices, strings, instruments, amps, tunings, and rig notes for influential rock guitarists.
Let's Get Picky
Explore how guitar pick material, thickness, shape, bevel, edge, and grip affect attack, control, tone, articulation, and playing comfort.
Guitar Setup Terms Explained: Tuning, Intonation, Action, Relief & More
Clear definitions of common setup terms including tuning, intonation, action, neck relief, nut height, saddle height, pickup height, fret buzz, and playability.
Guitar Tunings Explained: Standard, Drop, Open, Slide & Classic Rock Players
A practical guide to standard, drop, open, slide, half-step-down, alternate, and artist-associated tunings with honest tuning and setup notes.
Used Guitar Buying Guide: What to Inspect Before You Buy
A practical inspection guide for buying used electric and acoustic guitars, including neck, truss rod, fret, electronics, bridge, and structural red flags.
Best Guitars by Player Level: Beginner to Professional Buying Guide
Find the right guitar for introductory, beginner, intermediate, advanced, and professional players, with realistic price ranges and practical buying advice.
Cleaning and Maintaining Your Guitar
Learn how to properly clean and maintain acoustic, classical, electric guitars, and basses without damaging finishes, hardware, electronics, or fretboards.
Stringed Instrument Finishes
Understand common guitar finishes, how they affect care and repair decisions, and how to avoid damaging lacquer, poly, oil, satin, and gloss finishes.
Why +/- 0.05 Cents Matters in Tuning
Understand tuning accuracy, intonation, and why small pitch differences matter for setup, recording, live performance, and overall instrument feel.
Why Do I Need a Set Up? Dude, it's new!
Understand why new guitars often still need setup work, including action, relief, nut slot height, intonation, pickup height, and fret condition checks.
A Real Pickup Artist
Learn how pickups affect guitar tone, output, noise, dynamics, and why pickup choice should match the guitar, amplifier, and player.
Don't Fret About Frets
Learn about fret types, fret materials, fret wear, maintenance, leveling, polishing, refretting, and how frets affect playability, bends, intonation, and tone.
Need Help With an Instrument?
Gannon Luthier Services provides guitar setup, repair, cleaning, restringing, inspection, and instrument evaluation services in Camarillo and Ventura County.