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Askem Guitar Works – Guitar setup, repair and restoration.

Green Telecaster guitar.
'Memphis Bellecaster'

Over 30 years experience working on guitars and basses,
carrying out guitar set-up, repair and restoration work.
Based in St. Albans, Hertfordshire. UK.

Whether your instrument is new or old, affordable or vintage, get in touch here to see
what I can do to ensure it plays and sounds it’s very best, allowing you do the same.

Be sure to take a look at the Instagram and Facebook pages too.

askemguitarworks

Over 30 years experience in guitar work.
String changes/setups to full recommissions/restorations.
Guitarist in @lex11band
Artist at @benaskemartist

More affordable guitars can also benefit hugely fr

More affordable guitars can also benefit hugely from a decent setup. This LA Series from Gear4Music had a couple of issues that needed sorting, but we opted to go for a full service to have it playing and sounding its best. Really comfortable to play now and the Wilkinson M Series pickups are seriously impressive for the money.

#wilkinsonmseries #wilkinsonpickups #guitarservicing #guitarsetup #guitartech #benaskem #askemguitarworks #musicnomad

Yep, that's 20% off a restring, a setup, or even a

Yep, that's 20% off a restring, a setup, or even a full restoration, for any new customers.
Get in touch today to book yours in.

1960's Vox violin bass in for some attention. Prop

1960's Vox violin bass in for some attention. Proper mojo on this one, apparently sold within one minute of being advertised!

What actually goes into the recommission of a guit

What actually goes into the recommission of a guitar that's been sat a long time? Possibly a lot more than you think, it's not a half an hour job and can involve doing a job a few times, such as on this one with the frets and fingerboard requiring multiple different treatments.
Great Les Paul at the end of it though, from my favoured era - early 2000's.

#guitartech #askemguitarworks #guitarsetup #stalbansguitartech #guitarrepair #guitarrestoration #musicnomad #gibsonlespaul

Loved working on this Martin D28 that needed quite

Loved working on this Martin D28 that needed quite a bit of resurrection work!
If you've got something similar that needs attention, hit me up. 👌🏼

#guitartech #askemguitarworks #guitarsetup #stalbansguitartech #guitarrepair #guitarrestoration #martind28 #martinguitars

Something a little different on the bench – a @mar

Something a little different on the bench - a @marshallamps mixer from 1977!
Needed a general clean up and a re-do of an old repair.
Such a cool bit of kit.

#marshallmixer #marshallamps #vintagemarshall #stalbans #stalbansguitartech

Instagram post 17869236870338661

Instagram post 17869236870338661

Here's another one that needed some fairly extensi

Here's another one that needed some fairly extensive work.
This Hohner Professional ST Victory is one of my own that I've had for many many years. It had a break along the scarf joint which had been repaired before it came to me. To be fair, the fix is solid, but not overly pretty and possibly as a result of all this the neck has always had a slight twist, as you can see in pic 2.
I had some Hosco frets left over from a recent job and decided to attack this, once and for all.
Pic 4 shows the frets out, Pic 5 is cross hatched ready for sanding. Pic 6 shows the somewhat interesting lay of the land regards the fretboard! I decided to re radius the fretboard while I was there, from a 17-20" ish ?! to 12" consistent. I was able to sand the twist out, get everything nice and level and after the re fret and set up, it plays absolutely beautifully and will probably go back into rotation, having had a good few years off. 😂

Early @gordonsmithguitars all done. Full setup, fr

Early @gordonsmithguitars all done. Full setup, fret polish etc. Great player and seriously versatile.👌🏼

The jack had fallen in and become completely detac

The jack had fallen in and become completely detached in this Epiphone, meaning a bit of a fiddly job to get most of the electrics out to repair it...

Instagram post 18037811309567241

Instagram post 18037811309567241

Here's something you don't see every day… This i

Here's something you don't see every day...
This incredible Goulding aluminium guitar had been sat for quite a while and needed recommissioning before selling.
It needed a lot of work aside from cleaning, such a new nut from scratch and a fret level.
Very cool, very different.
Check out the videos in the Reels to see how this thing really looks!
Going for the obscure music references again, natch..

#gouldingguitars #aluminiumguitars #askemguitarworks #guitarservicing #guitarsetup #guitarrepair #guitarrestoration

Had this rather nice Gibson J-45 in for some work.

Had this rather nice Gibson J-45 in for some work.
Action needed lowering, thankfully got away with a setup and a small reduction in saddle height, rather than a neck reset. 👌🏼

This Jackson V basically needed a full re wire, pi

This Jackson V basically needed a full re wire, pickup install and setup. The EMG solderless system is pretty good, still needed to extend some wires because of the jack socket location etc

Cool SG in for some nut slot adjustment 👀🤷🏼‍♂️

This absolute songbird of a Martin D28 has been on

This absolute songbird of a Martin D28 has been on the bench a little while, having needed a full recommission and a few repairs etc. Truly one of the nicest sounding acoustics I've played. 40+ years old, plenty of play wear, bags of character. Hear it in the reels. ☝🏼
#martinguitars
#martind28
#guitarsetup #guitarservicing #guitarrepair #guitarrestoration #askemguitarworks

This @ibanezuk_official RG came in to have some el

This @ibanezuk_official RG came in to have some electrical gremlins sorted, but got a full service while I was at it.
@musicnomadcare F-One on the board and All in one on the body as per, @daddarioandco 10-46 and it's all good to go once more. 👌🏼

#ibanezrg #daddario #musicnomad #guitarrepair #guitarrestoration #guitarservicing #guitarsetup #stalbansguitartech #benaskem #askemguitarworks

Removal and refitting of that warped Gibson SJ200

Removal and refitting of that warped Gibson SJ200 pickguard.

#guitartech #sj200 #askemguitarworks #guitarrepair #stalbansguitartech #tenousmusicreference

A lot of work involved in recommissioning this 40

A lot of work involved in recommissioning this 40 year old @martinguitar D41. It hadn't been played for quite a while and needed various repairs, such a crack in the top, loose binding etc. I also made a new bone saddle, dressed the fret ends, stripped all the tuners, and cleaned and oiled probably the grimiest fretboard I've ever seen (I'll post a before and after later...)
Various paint(?) marks removed and countless other minor jobs, all resulting in a beautiful guitar once more.
Playing vid to follow.

#martind41 #martinguitars #d41 #benaskem #askemguitarworks #guitartech #guitarsetup #guitarrestoration #tenousmusicreference

Stratocasters refret. Not the whole process, but

Stratocasters refret.

Not the whole process, but most!

#refret #stratocaster #guitarrefret #askemguitarworks #guitartech #guitarsetup #guitarrepair #benaskem #stalbansguitartech

New post – Lowden F50 12 string recommission.

New post - Lowden F50 12 string recommission.

Cool partscaster on for a full re wire and setup.

Cool partscaster on for a full re wire and setup.

#guitartech #guitarsetup #guitarrepair #guitarworkshop

This stunning @lowdenguitars F50 12 string was in

This stunning @lowdenguitars F50 12 string was in for a recommission. The worst of it was the break out on the bridge, so before I did anything I made sure it had been kept at the correct humidity for a good while.
Other than the repair, it needed a full clean, fret polish, fingerboard and bridge oil, truss rod tweak and a little off the bottom of the saddle to get it playing beautifully again.
I've got a short video I'll post up in due course.

#lowdenguitars #lowdenf50 #12string #guitartech #guitarsetup #benaskem #guitarrepair #guitarrestoration #guitarworkshop

Occasionally I get to build a full guitar, or kit

Occasionally I get to build a full guitar, or kit in this case.
The customer had picked up a few choice extras, such as some Joe Strummer pickups and a six saddle bridge.
He wanted the guitar to age naturally so we went for a dark stain and seal, then lightly buffed by hand.
The neck got the seal treatment too for a really sick, satin finish.
Lovely playing and sounding Tele when all done. 👌🏼

Been so busy with guitars I've been neglecting you

Been so busy with guitars I've been neglecting you good folks, sorry. Nice problem to have though.
This lovely SJ200 needed recommissioning. Various work involved, but one of the most common issues is the lifting pickguard. I've got a time lapse of the process which I'll post up in due course.

#gibson #sj200 #guitartech #guitarsetup #benaskem #askemguitarworks

Lovely Gibson Super Dove in for a full recommissio

Lovely Gibson Super Dove in for a full recommission.
Besides the obvious full set up, some fret work was needed and had to secure the lacquer around the bridge, as it was flaking.
Now a very nice looking and sounding guitar.
I'll post a time lapse in due course.

#gibsonsuperdove #gibson #gibsonacoustic #guitarrepair #guitartech #guitarsetup #guitarrepair #guitarrestoration #luthier #stalbansguitartech

Some nice guitars through the door already this ye

Some nice guitars through the door already this year at @askemguitarworks , such as this Gibson 359 which needed a full recommission. It had lived overseas for a number of years and the humidity changes had played havoc here and there. Most noticeable on the pickguard, with binding coming way or off entirely. After some repairs, a full setup and a clean of the case, it was all good to go.
I'll put a time lapse up on due course.

#gibson359 #gibsoncustom #guitarrestoration #guitartech #guitarsetup #stalbansguitartech #hertfordshireguitartech #hertfordshireluthier #askemguitarworks

Had this Epiphone Explorer in recently to sort out

Had this Epiphone Explorer in recently to sort out some suspected wiring issues.... Yep, it had some! Someone had fitted active @emgpickups but only the volume was connected and many of the connections were twisted together and masking taped! The other two pots weren't even connected. After sourcing the correct pots and jack, I re wired it all and gave it a full setup. Actually a cracking guitar now.

Side note: it was between this audio and something by U2, but since the pickups are active, I thought it only right to go with 'Battery'. 🤷🏼‍♂️... What can I say, I really am like that. 🤦🏼‍♂️

#epiphone #epiphoneexplorer #emgpickups #guitartech #guitarsetup #stalbansguitartech #benaskem #askemguitarworks

US Stratocaster from 1996 in for a recommission. L

US Stratocaster from 1996 in for a recommission.
Lots going on with this one, which is why I've done one of them voice over things for you...

Continuing the theme of 'it's not just guitars on

Continuing the theme of 'it's not just guitars on the bench this week', we have a well loved pair of @beyerdynamic DT770 headphones. The cable had worked its way loose over time and the thin wires inside then didn't need much to break. A fiddly job, preparing the wires, re soldering with heat shrink on top and they are all back together and working again. Phew.

#beyerdynamic #dt770pro #headphonerepair #askemguitarworks #stalbans

Bit of a break from the norm here at @askemguitarw

Bit of a break from the norm here at @askemguitarworks - This Yamaha Silent Cello came in somewhat lifeless. The battery terminals were in a very bad way after the batteries had been left in for ages. After cleaning it all up, I had to reshape the remaining part of the spring as a retainer clip of sorts, to hold a new spring in place. Once that was sorted, it showed that the power and reverb switches were also intermittent, so they got a clean and re solder. The fingerboard got the @musicnomadcare treatment, the bridge was fitted and it's all sounding amazing again.
I'd have one of these, just as a piece of artwork in the corner of the room if nothing else! 🤷🏼‍♂️🤦🏼‍♂️ Very cool...

#yamahasilentcello #yamahasvc110 #cello #cellorepair #askemguitarworks #stalbansguitartech #musicalinstrumentrepair

Fitting a new preamp to this Sire Marcus Miller P7

Fitting a new preamp to this Sire Marcus Miller P7 bass.
Seems to be a bit of a common issue in these otherwise really lovely basses.
Thankfully Andertons sourced a replacement part for the customer and it's all good to go again.
#sire
#marcusmiller
#sireguitars
#andertons
#guitartech
#guitarsetup
@askemguitarworks

Instagram post 18293951434231394

Instagram post 18293951434231394

Instagram post 18044337464131849

Instagram post 18044337464131849

The jack on this #stratocaster had got itself in a

The jack on this #stratocaster had got itself in a right mess.
It was also lightly corroded, so a thorough clean and a careful reshape and it was all good to go.

Had this rather cool Nightingale bass in for a fla

Had this rather cool Nightingale bass in for a flaky jack socket. Just an age thing really and with a barrel socket, not a great deal that can be adjusted with any reliability going forward. Opted to fit a PureTone full contact one and it's all good again.
As an aside...this thing sounds gnarly!

#nightingalebass
#puretone
#guitartech
#guitarsetup
#guitarrepair

Nice #squier40thanniversary #jazzmaster in for a f

Nice #squier40thanniversary #jazzmaster in for a full set up. 👌🏼

Some cool guitars in lately, such as this partscas

Some cool guitars in lately, such as this partscaster, built by the owner but in need of a fret level and full setup.
Squier neck, @pistolscrown body, @lollarpickupsuk neck pickup and @oil_city_pickups bridge.
Plays and sounds frankly amazing!
Proof that great guitars don't -have- to cost to the earth.

@lollarpickups
#pistolscrown
#lollarpickups
#oilcitypickups
#partscaster
#squier
#telecaster
#benaskem
#askemguitarworks
#guitartech
#guitarsetup
#stalbans
#stalbansguitartech

Here's the time lapse of that Tanglewood resto. En

Here's the time lapse of that Tanglewood resto.
Enjoy!

Had this cool Tanglewood in for a full resto. It h

Had this cool Tanglewood in for a full resto.
It had been left for many years but had huge sentimental value.
I'll post the time lapse up shortly.

#tanglewood #semiacoustic #guitartech #guitarsetup #guitarrestoration #askemguitarworks

This Dean acoustic had been sat for a while and ne

This Dean acoustic had been sat for a while and needed some TLC and a setup. Some fret ends had come up and obviously needed reseating, plus it needed a spot level and the saddle taken down to achieve a nice comfortable action.
Surprisingly full sounding guitar, playing sweet again now. 👌🏼

#deanguitars #acousticguitar #acousticguitarsetup #guitartech #guitarsetup #guitarrepair #timelapse #benaskem #askemguitarworks #stalbansguitartech

This #fender 57 reissue Strat came in for full ser

This #fender 57 reissue Strat came in for full service.
Couple of issues found along the way, which look to have been created by previous techs rather than sorting the actual problem which is a shame, but sadly not an uncommon story.
All playing and sounding great again now. 👌🏼

#57reissue #57reissuestrat #guitartech #askemguitarworks #stalbansguitartech #guitarsetup #guitarrepair #guitarrestoration #musicnomad

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