Every guitar that comes into the workshop tells a story. This Washburn acoustic was a classic case of good intentions gone too far. The owner wanted a lower action, but instead of adjusting the neck relief or having a proper setup done, the bridge saddle had been sanded down so much that the guitar was virtually unplayable beyond the 12th fret. The action might have felt easier at the lower frets, but the price was constant buzzing and dead notes further up the neck.

The only way to bring this instrument back to life was by rebuilding the saddle height. Rather than using plastic or wood, I created a custom carbon fibre shim to sit under the existing saddle. Carbon fibre is light, rigid, and transfers string vibration extremely well, so it’s a far more professional solution than stacking bits of plastic or card.

Once the saddle was back to the correct height, I carried out a deep clean on the body and neck. The fretboard was conditioned with lemon oil, which not only improves the look of the wood but also keeps it from drying out and cracking. I followed this with some careful fretwork to smooth the playing surface and ensure the strings sat cleanly across every fret.

The final step was a full guitar setup: checking the neck relief, setting the action to the customer’s preference, and making sure the intonation was spot on. The result is a Washburn that now plays beautifully across the entire neck, with a balanced tone and comfortable action.

If your guitar has developed buzzing, dead notes, or action problems, it doesn’t always mean the instrument is finished. A proper guitar repair and setup can transform the playability and sound of almost any instrument.

For professional guitar setups in Nottingham, whether it’s a Washburn, Fender, Gibson, or any other brand, get in touch. I specialise in repairs, setups, fretwork, and restoring guitars that have suffered from DIY fixes that didn’t quite go to plan.