Awesome Modifications That Make Any Guitar Sound Amazing

I've played lots of guitars over the years and one of the most fascinating aspects of guitar music is hearing about how some guitarist or tech made a modification that becomes signature to the artists sound. Jimi Hendrix strung a right handed guitar upside down and even changed the bridge and saddles to accommodate that. Imagine how that tech session went. Eddie Van Halen gutted almost every guitar he touched before embarking on signature models of his personal design. I'll bet he was a stickler for details. From head to tail, tuners to tailpieces, an experienced guitarist can unlock the full potential of any guitar no matter what it is made from.

Hardware on an electric guitar

Today we are going to explore the many awesome modifications that make any guitar sound amazing. The tonewood debate is a forever ongoing conversation that will last the test of time. We'll just settle in to the fact that guitars are made of a combination of wood, metal, rubber and plastic. There are even electric guitars out there that have no wood in the body at all. There are countless varieties out there in the electric guitar world. When assembled and blended correctly you get sound and resonance that is unique to every single guitar. Designers and players have collaborated together for almost a century to come up with some of the most famous (and infamous) guitars in the world. Today I'll mention the most crucial points of contact on the guitar that make the biggest impact on the sound of the instrument. Let's strap in.

String view on an acoustic guitar

First we'll start with the easiest upgrade which is changing the strings. Just putting a new set of strings on an old guitar can bring back the life and resonance it once had. This is especially noticeable in the acoustic guitar realm. It also means that correctly stringing an acoustic guitar is the most important aspect of its playability. Since it is based on sound transference through the air the string type and quality are essential to the identity of the guitar. Electric guitar strings are almost if not equally noticeable because they are amplified through speakers and qualitatively based on that sound output. Seasoned guitarists will immediately tell you when the strings won't stay in tune or sound watery or tinny. Many players will simply wait for the dreaded string snap to happen that will cue the extra attention to maintenance while changing / replacing said string(s). Changing the gauge of your strings can also alter the sound output. Lighter strings like .08 and .09 will brighten up the pickups and allow for easier bends and blending of notes. Heavier strings like .10 and .11 will deepen the tone and make the pickups more thick and aggressive.

Humbucker pickups

The next item that can be adjusted or replaced is the pickups in the electric guitar. It is worthwhile to get familiar with the pickup adjustments on your guitar. On a budget guitar, this is the single most impactful upgrade that you can do to radically change the sound output of the guitar. Single coil pickups are reliable and easily adjusted individually with one screw on each side of every pickup. Humbucker pickups are fascinating because they generally have 2 coils wound together into a single pickup unit. Adjustment tends to be a little more sensitive because of the design. These are a bit more difficult to swap out because the pickups and controls live in different compartments of the body. The combination of single coil and humbucker pickups can be utilized in many different types of music. There are more aggressive designs like Bare Knuckle and EMG that can really give you the kick you are wanting and there are other more refined designs that allow for more expression and sensitivity of the pickups like P-90s and slimline Telecaster and mini rail pickup options.

Control Pots, Switches, and Pickups on electric guitar

Logically if you so any kind of work on the pickups the pots and switches are next in line. The devices that are underneath all those knobs are potentiometers for controlling the amount of sound that is transferred. They typically last the longest of all the parts being enclosed in the cavity of the guitar. Humidity, sweat, and moisture are their worst enemies. My electric guitars rarely see the light of day during storage and maintenance. One piece of gear that I rely on heavily is an electric amp meter that I can test various parts of the guitar for connectivity and function.

Tuning heads on an electric guitar

The next item to consider when upgrading the look or the functionality of a guitar is the machine tuning heads or string tuners on the headstock. Tuning stability is always subjective to the player and the day to day demands on the instrument. ALL tuning heads have their individual connector screws and have a set screw in the top of the key that will from time to time be tightened. Locking tuners are an attractive upgrade to a lot of players. There are different aesthetics that can be achieved as well. You can pick chrome, black, or gold and lots of the hardware sets out there. Players can also choose from exposed gears, vintage vibes, and custom colors and shapes for a little extra money.

Now that the strings, pickups, pots, and tuners are set we can talk about hardware. For this article I will talk about strap buttons and locks, knobs and switches, and pickguard / faceplate configurations. For straps and the buttons, I always secure my strap with an extra locking mechanism. I learned the heard way when my Gibson Les Paul slipped out of the strap and took a head stock dive to the concrete right after I bought it. I now use heavy duty steel washers on all of my strap buttons to keep the strap from ever coming off. There are some great options online for strap lock mechanisms too. Whatever your style, always check that the strap is secure every single time you pick up a guitar. Not all guitars come with pickguards and scratch plates. Many popular models are designed with a sleek body style and paint job with no extra frills.

Whatever your style is, you can guarantee that there is a guitar out there for you. If you can't find the one you want then build a copy and make it your own. Chances are you will find the experience as enriching as me!

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