Did you know that guitars typically have a metal rod that runs through the length of the neck? Because I didn’t and I’ve been playing guitar for over fifteen years. This was just one of a few things that I picked up while observing Grace Da Maren’s workshop on guitar setup.

Who’s Grace?

Why should you care what she has to say about guitar setup?

What’s guitar setup?

We’ll answer that last question first. Most guitar players, at the very least, know how to tune and replace their strings. This is how you keep your guitar sounding consistent, in terms of pitch, with itself and other musicians. Guitar “setup” is the next level of basic guitar maintenance. Over time, the voice of your guitar can start to shift a little.

It can tend to be out of tune more often, or feel a little different to play. Guitar setup is about very subtle adjustments to maintain a guitar’s voice and feel. These include adjusting the guitar’s relief (the slight bow in the guitar’s neck), the action (height of the strings above the fretboard), and the intonation (corrected string length). 

According to Grace, you should probably make these adjustments on your guitar twice a year. She also made a point to emphasize that there isn’t necessarily a “right” set up. Maybe you like the subtle buzz you’re getting out of your strings. Different styles may want different levels of action. And every instrument is different. During the workshop there were actually a couple surprises at different steps in the process. The adjustments you make on one instrument may not be exactly what you need on another.

So who’s this Grace we keep talking about, and why do we trust her to know so much about guitars? At the time of writing, she’s got 12 years of experience repairing and working on guitars. At her shop, Guelph Guitar Repair, she and her husband Jay will fix up 4 to 5 guitars a week. When I asked them how they got started in guitars, I was told Grace had the training and access to a machine shop, and Jay had a bunch of guitars in need of repair. A simple enough origin story, but Grace also told me she’d always wanted to get into repair. She’s always had a passion for fixing a thing that has a real impact on people’s everyday lives. And that passion shows.

While she may not have a formal background in public speaking, she had a comfortable confidence and subtle humor while giving the workshop. She emphasized wanting the attendees to walk away feeling confident that they could work on their instruments on their own. Based on a conversation I had with one of those attendees after the workshop, I’d say she succeeded.

If you’ve got a guitar that you’d like to setup, Grace and Jay will be back again in May to give another workshop. Even as only an observer, I can say I recommend attending.

Ever wish you could just throw nature at something? Maybe toss a handful of seeds like a flower grenade? Try seed bombs!

Okay maybe they won’t literally explode into bloom like a wacky weapon in a video game, but they are a fun and convenient way to add some natural color to an area.

A seed bomb is essentially a bunch of seeds, packed together in a compact ball of easily biodegradable material. They couldn’t be simpler to make.

1. Chop up a bunch of paper
2. Mix it with water to a gooey consistency, a little soggier than your standard cookie dough
   1. Maybe add in some food coloring or tempera paint powder
3. Stir in your choice of seeds
4. Squeeze the seed goo into a ball and put it on a tray
5. Wait for your seed bombs to dry
6. Toss seed bombs at patches of grass that could use some sprucing up
   1. (like maybe over the fence of that boring office building)

The production of this particular batch of bombs was organized by Diyode member Heather. Inspired by a simple Instagram post, Heather put out the call to other Diyode members to meet up at the space. By the time I stopped by on their second day of bomb production, they were on track to make around 400 of the things. 

Once the bombs were ready, they were packed three to a bag. These bags will then be sold for $5 a piece at local shops around the area, including the Guelph and Fergus Restore, The Hive, the Lost Aviator Cafe, and the Wheel Works. See, these bombs are a good deed two for one. Not only will the seeds themselves spread pollinating wild flowers, all money made from the seed bombs goes to the local non-profit The Seed. If you’re unfamiliar, like I was before Heather was kind enough to fill me in, the Seed is all about providing free or low cost grocery options to those in need, and developing a more community based approach to food and groceries.

(Diyode members Heather, Laura, and Russell)

So consider picking some up if you see them around town. Or make a go at squeezing together some of your own. Or come hang out with some friendly folks at Diyode the next time they’re making a batch. I had a good time, and all I did was put stickers on bags.

Until next time.