As much as you love your electric guitar, you may wish that some of the components worked better or looked sharper, especially if the guitar is a cheap one. It's even possible that over time, the frets or the guitar strings have worn down or a knob has come loose.
If you're experiencing any of the above situations or just feel like tinkering with your electric guitar, it may be time to make some upgrades. But which ones of the many different kinds of upgrades should you do first?
We've got you covered. Below is a list of the top 5 upgrades for your electric guitar that aren't too difficult and will go a long way to improving the sound on your instrument.
1. Guitar Strings
A quick and simple upgrade that you should consider making regularly is replacing your electric guitar strings. Strings, even high quality ones, will wear down after about 100 hours of play. You'll notice when they're worn out because the sound they produce will be dull, they'll be hard to tune, and they will feel dirty and stiff to the touch.
Even if you don't play your electric guitar consistently, you should still replace the strings roughly every 3 months. This is because the strings will wear themselves out by being exposed to moisture and oil from your fingers when you do play it.
2. Tuners
If your tuners are cheap or they just aren't cutting it anymore, you can simply replace them with a new set. This upgrade can be easy or challenging depending on your electric guitar and the tuner set you want to install. Luckily, there are plenty of online tutorials for upgrading tuners to help you through the tough parts.
3. Pickups
Don't like the way the pickups on your electric guitar make your music sound? Whether they're not providing enough noise cancellation or the tone is off, these flaws can be improved by upgrading your pickups.
Do some research on what type of pickups will give you the sound you want, and look up video tutorials to guide you through the replacement process. We guarantee this upgrade, when done right, will make your guitar sound infinitely better.
4. Electronics
Are you plagued by irritating clicks, scratches, and other noises put out by your electric guitar? You may benefit from upgrading the electronics, including the potentiometers (pots), pickup selectors, and output jacks.
5. Frets
Upgrading your frets can be as simple as polishing and cleaning them of dirt and grime, or as complicated as getting a full fret dressing. The latter includes leveling, crowning, and polishing, and should probably be completed by a professional.
If your frets are damaged and dimpled, you may need to consider a dressing (unless the guitar is a cheap one, in which case the cost of the dressing will outweigh the worth of the instrument). But if they're just dirty, a little elbow grease on your part can go a long way to upgrading their look and feel.
Conclusion: A Little Upgrading Goes A Long Way
Even if your electric guitar is a cheap one, that doesn't mean you have to settle for inferior sound. With the above top 5 upgrades, your electric guitar will look and sound like a brand new, high quality instrument!