OLD HAUNTS
I’m not sure if you can help me with this. I have a Yamaha acoustic guitar. It’s around 20 years old and has a good spec. The top, back and sides are solid woods. Anyway, I’ve recently noticed a creaking sound when I tune the guitar up.
It sounds like a haunted house. I can’t tell if it’s coming from the neck or body of the guitar. All I know is that it’s getting on my nerves. I know you’re working blind here, but do you have any suggestions for me? C Campbell, via email
If the creak happens when you tune a particular string, it could be that the nut slots need looking at. That would be the first port of call. Look closely at the slots. Are they clean? Are the strings too thick for the slots? It might be that you’ve upped the string gauge from factory spec at some point over the years. If the slots can’t accommodate the string gauge, they will need to be filed. You could also consider going down a gauge the next time you restring the guitar.
The cause of the creak could be something more sinister. You might have a loose strut. You probably know the top and back of your acoustic are supported by thin strips of wood. These are called struts. In some instances, these can work themselves loose. The glue that holds them in place can fail and that loss of integrity can cause a squeak when they rub against the guitar’s top. You can check for loose struts by gently applying pressure to the top of the guitar, around the bridge area. If you hear the creak, you’ve isolated the problem. The next step is to take it to a qualified repairer.