How to Repair a Reverend Guitar

Most guitar problems can be easily fixed by the guitar's owner.

Reverend guitars have become extremely popular with musicians looking for a uniquely styled guitar that is well made. Reverend guitars offer a wide selection of pickup choices, giving the guitar a greater variety of tones. Because Reverend guitars are a relatively newer brand, there are fewer shops authorized to repair them. Authorized repair shops can charge a great deal of money for even the smallest repairs. Use professional repair techniques to repair a Reverend guitar, saving the cost of using an authorized repair shop.

Things You'll Need

• Phillips screwdrivers
• Utility knife
• Dental pick
• Electrician's tape
• Compressed air
• Soldering iron
• Solder
• Flux

Instructions

1. Isolate the problem. Electric guitars are made up of both electrical and mechanical systems. Determine the nature of the problem. If the problem is with the sound, the issue is electrical in nature. If the strings buzz when played, the problem is with the strings' setup. Isolating the problem saves time.

2. 

   The electronics are behind the pick guard of the guitar's face.

   Remove the electronics access panel. The majority of problems occur within the guitar's electrical system. Open the panel covering the electronics cavity. The panel is located either on the back of the guitar or underneath the pick guard on the guitar's front side. Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the screws holding the panel in place. Carefully lift the panel up with the tip of a utility knife.

3. Inspect the guitar's electronics. Most electric guitar problems can be traced to the guitar's electronics. Look for corrosion, loose wires, crimps in the wiring, exposed wiring and wires which have accidentally fused together. Any of these conditions will cause the guitar to have sound problems when amplified.

4. 

   Dental picks can get into tight spaces.

   Clean up the guitar's wiring. Clean any corrosion by scraping it off with the tip of a dental pick. Separate any wires accidentally fused to one another and cover the exposed wiring with electrician's tape. Blow out the guitar's potentiometers with compressed air. Place the tip of the can's spray nozzle on the base of the potentiometer and squeeze the can's trigger. This removes any dust or debris that causes a crackling noise when the volume or tone controls are turned.

5. 

   Use a fine tip on the soldering iron.

   Solder any loose wiring. Turn the soldering iron on. Apply soldering flux to the bare wire and the tab it connects to. When the soldering iron is hot, place the tip of the soldering iron on the tab for 60 seconds. Place the wire on the tab and place the solder on the point where the wire and tab meet. The solder will melt and flow onto the tab and wire. Remove the soldering iron. Replace the panel after repairs are complete.

6. 

   String height is the primary reason for string buzz.

   Check the guitar's string height. Fret buzzing is a common problem that occurs when the guitar's strings are too close to the fretboard. Raise the string height by turning the height adjustment screws on the bridge. Use a standard screwdriver to adjust the height. Adjust the height by turning both screws. Turn the screws counterclockwise in very small increments.

7. Check the tuner's mounting screws. Reverend guitars use quality tuners. However, the mounting screws become loose over time which affects tuning. Loosen the strings until they are completely slack. Use a small Phillips screwdriver to tighten the mounting screws, making sure the tuner's knobs are correctly aligned.

Tips & Warnings

• Always use the correct size Phillips screwdriver. If the tip of the screwdriver is too large or small, the head of the screw will become stripped and will need to be replaced.

References

• Reverend Fanatic: Reverend USA Guitars
• Project Guitar: Electronics
• My SIte: Basic Guitar Setup Tips