Today we're taking on a slightly different repair project: changing the keys on a classical guitar I found online. This is completely uncharted territory for me, but I think we'll get there!
A bit of history and context
I have always had a kind of admiration for classical guitars. They were the first guitars I came into contact with in high school, during music lessons. That distinctive sound of nylon strings has always fascinated me.
At that time, I was already playing electric and acoustic guitars with metal strings, but I was missing that special sound of nylon strings. One day, I came across this classical guitar on Facebook, at a really low price. I thought: why not give it a try? At that price, even if it doesn't work perfectly, it can still be a good experience.
First impression and challenges
Once I received the guitar, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was playable. Sure, there was some work to be done. The strings were set high enough, but there is no adjustment rod in the neck, so I will have to live with it or maybe adjust the bridge. But that was not the most urgent. The most important was a key that broke on the first turn, and another that seemed much more defective than the others.
So I started looking for replacement parts. On Amazon I found some almost identical replacement keys, and for a really affordable price. These seem to be a perfect replica of the original keys, with the little engraved decorations and the plastic similar to that of the time.
Replacing keys: step by step
Before starting the replacement, I took care to measure the distance between the screws to be sure that the new keys would be compatible without having to drill into the wood. Once I checked that everything was in order, I disassembled the old keys, removing the four screws, then installed the new ones in the same way.
Final result: a perfect adaptation
The result? Perfect! The new keys fit perfectly, even the screws and holes are aligned. This confirms that these key designs were very common on entry-level instruments at the time. If you are looking for replacement keys for similar classical guitars, you will easily find modern replicas that fit perfectly.
Installing the strings: my first experience
This was also my first time stringing a classical guitar, by attaching the strings to the end of the bridge. It's a simple process once you understand how to do it, and I'll show you how in another video. In the meantime, I'll explain how I did it: I made a loop with the string to attach it to the key, passing the string through the hole in the key and folding it back on itself to ensure a good hold.
Tuning and adjustments by ear
After setting up the strings, I tensioned and tuned them by ear, using a reference note. This is an exercise that reminds me of my high school years, and while it's not perfect, I'm happy with the result for a first setup.
Next step: testing and adjustments
Now that the keys are installed and the strings are secured, I'm going to let the guitar rest for a bit before making a final adjustment. I may need to adjust the neck tension or make other adjustments, but for now, I'm pretty happy with it.
It's a project that allowed me to discover new sounds and new techniques. It also made me realize that every guitar, even the one that seems a bit "cheap", can have hidden potential.
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