Problem Child Guitars

Problem Child Guitars Guitar Shop
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This bass came in with significant feedback from the neck pickup when in active mode. After extensive inspection of the ...
08/23/2026

This bass came in with significant feedback from the neck pickup when in active mode. After extensive inspection of the electronics and grounding, I narrowed my focus to the shielding.

The bass had a combination of copper foil and conductive shielding paint, but the copper shielding did not completely enclose the electronics cavities. In other words, the Faraday cage wasn't complete. I completed the copper shielding, making sure the cavities were properly enclosed and electrically connected. After reinstalling the electronics and firing it up...no more feedback. 🎸

It's a great reminder that proper shielding is an important part of keeping unwanted noise and interference out of an instrument—especially with active electronics and higher-gain preamps.

Another bass back in action! 🔧🎸

A special thanks to Chris at Flippin' Guitars for guidance and advice on the complicated wiring with this Bartonlini preamp.

A Rickenbacker 4001 came into the shop for a Rickenbacker V2 Bridge upgrade.The V2 bridge brings much better individual ...
08/22/2026

A Rickenbacker 4001 came into the shop for a Rickenbacker V2 Bridge upgrade.

The V2 bridge brings much better individual string adjustment and significantly easier intonation, while also eliminating one of the long-standing issues with the original bridge design — tail lift.

This was a straightforward installation and a true in-and-out, same-day service. New bridge installed, everything dialed in, and this classic Rickenbacker was back in action!

Another job completed at Problem Child Guitar Shop. 🎸

Faith Acoustic-Electric Setup 🎸This Faith Acoustic-Electric came in with one goal: lower the action.The neck had a littl...
08/15/2026

Faith Acoustic-Electric Setup 🎸

This Faith Acoustic-Electric came in with one goal: lower the action.

The neck had a little too much relief, so I made an adjustment to the truss rod and got the action much closer to where it needed to be. I then removed approximately 1mm from the bridge saddle, which brought everything right into place.

The result: low action, no buzzing, and easy access to the high frets. Exactly what the owner was looking for.

While I had it on the bench, I completed a full setup and service:

Installed new D'Addario strings
Adjusted the truss rod
Adjusted and lowered the bridge saddle
Reseated a few high frets
Polished the frets
Tightened all hardware
Deep cleaned the guitar
Cleaned and conditioned the fretboard
Completed the final setup and playability check

It's now playing the way it should—smooth, comfortable, and ready to play! 🎶

Problem Child Guitar Shop — bringing guitars back to life, one setup at a time.

🎸 Epiphone Les Paul Setup & Fret WorkThis Epiphone Les Paul came into the shop for a setup with a complaint of fret buzz...
08/15/2026

🎸 Epiphone Les Paul Setup & Fret Work

This Epiphone Les Paul came into the shop for a setup with a complaint of fret buzz. After inspecting the guitar, I found a few high frets that needed to be properly reseated into the fretboard, along with a slight neck adjustment to add the proper amount of relief.

I also:
• Cleaned and conditioned the fretboard
• Polished the frets
• Cleaned the entire guitar
• Installed a fresh set of D’Addario strings
• Completed a full setup and final adjustment

After the fret work and setup, this Les Paul is playing clean, smooth, and ready to rock! 🤘

Another guitar back in action at Problem Child Guitar Shop!

A customer brought in three acoustic guitars, each with a different need.🎸 One needed an output jack repair, restring, a...
08/14/2026

A customer brought in three acoustic guitars, each with a different need.

🎸 One needed an output jack repair, restring, and full setup.
🎸 Another needed a restring and setup.
🎸 And the 12-string just needed a single string replaced.

A little attention to each one, and now all three are back in action and ready to make some music! 🎶

Another guitar back in shape and ready to play! 🎸This Ibanez acoustic came in with a deteriorated preamp faceplate. I so...
08/12/2026

Another guitar back in shape and ready to play! 🎸

This Ibanez acoustic came in with a deteriorated preamp faceplate. I sourced a 3D-printed replacement and installed it, restoring the preamp to a clean, functional condition.

While going through the guitar, I also found a high fret at the 14th fret. I spot-leveled and crowned the fret to eliminate the issue and improve playability.

The rest of the service included:
🔧 Complete guitar cleaning
✨ Polished all frets
🌳 Conditioned the fretboard
🎸 Lowered the action for improved playability
🎶 Installed a fresh set of strings

A little attention to the details goes a long way. This Ibanez is now clean, comfortable to play, and ready to make some music!

Problem Child Guitar Shop — Quality service, attention to detail, and guitars ready to play. 🎸

Another bass back in top playing condition! 🎸A customer brought in this Squier Affinity Jazz Bass with an occasional fre...
08/05/2026

Another bass back in top playing condition! 🎸

A customer brought in this Squier Affinity Jazz Bass with an occasional fret buzz on the A string and requested a setup. As always, I started with a complete inspection rather than just making adjustments.

The bass had high action, the intonation was off, and the bridge pickup was set too close to the strings. The neck relief was right on spec, so I checked every fret with a fret rocker and found four frets with high spots. After spot leveling, crowning, and polishing those frets, I completed a full setup to Fender specifications.

The result is a bass with smooth, comfortable action, accurate intonation, and no more fret buzz on the A string. It's now playing the way it should!

If your guitar or bass has fret buzz, poor intonation, or just doesn't feel right, it may need more than a simple setup. A proper diagnosis can make all the difference.

Problem Child Guitar Shop LLC – Helping musicians get the most out of their instruments, one repair at a time.

Before I even plugged this Epiphone 335 into an amp, I found the problem. The output jack ground wire had come loose, ca...
08/01/2026

Before I even plugged this Epiphone 335 into an amp, I found the problem. The output jack ground wire had come loose, causing an intermittent connection, and the jack itself wouldn't tighten securely to the body.

Working on semi-hollow guitars can be a challenge, but this repair gave me the perfect opportunity to break out a couple of specialty StewMac tools I'd been looking forward to using. They made fishing the jack back into place and securing it properly much easier.

The ground connection was resoldered, the output jack was locked down securely, and everything was tested to make sure the guitar is working exactly as it should.

Sometimes it's not a major repair that makes the biggest difference—it's taking the time to diagnose the real issue and using the right tools to do the job right.

🎸 Another guitar back in action and ready to make music!

https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-tools-and-supplies/tools-by-job/tools-for-electronics/jack-installation-tool/?queryid=2e8a621e4ece7d2236b7d655c2451cd7

🎸 Another custom guitar project completed at Problem Child Guitar Shop! 🎸This HSS-style guitar came in for some electron...
07/31/2026

🎸 Another custom guitar project completed at Problem Child Guitar Shop! 🎸

This HSS-style guitar came in for some electronics upgrades and a little fine-tuning to bring everything together.

The work included:
✅ Removed the existing 6-way pickup selector and installed a new 5-way blade switch
✅ Installed and wired a new Monty's middle single-coil pickup
✅ Verified pickup combinations, switching, and overall electronics performance
✅ Installed a fresh set of strings
✅ Completed a minor setup adjustment, including intonation, to make sure it plays its best

After the installation, every pickup position was tested and dialed in. The result is a versatile HSS setup with the tonal flexibility of humbuckers and the classic character of a true single-coil pickup in the middle position.

Thank you to another returning customer for trusting Problem Child Guitar Shop with your guitar! I truly appreciate the continued support and the opportunity to keep helping musicians get the most out of their instruments.

Whether it's a simple setup, electronics upgrade, or a complete transformation, every guitar gets the same attention to detail. 🎸

Another guitar is heading home after receiving some much-needed TLC!This Yamaha Pacifica came in with a faulty output ja...
07/31/2026

Another guitar is heading home after receiving some much-needed TLC!

This Yamaha Pacifica came in with a faulty output jack and frets that were ready for some attention. Here's what was completed:

🎸 Replaced the output jack
🎸 Performed a full fret level, crown, and polish
🎸 Installed new bridge saddles
🎸 Cleaned the entire guitar and conditioned the fretboard
🎸 Installed a fresh set of strings
🎸 Completed a full setup, including action, neck relief, and intonation adjustments

Now it's playing cleanly up and down the neck, the electronics are working as they should, and it's ready to get back to making music!

There's nothing more satisfying than taking a guitar that's seen years of use and bringing it back to peak playing condition.

If your guitar is buzzing, crackling, difficult to play, or just hasn't had a proper setup in a while, send me a message. I'd be happy to help get it playing its absolute best!

🎸 Problem Child Guitar Shop, LLC
Professional Guitar Repair • Setups • Electronics • Fretwork • Pickup Installations

Address

Ashburn, VA
20148

Telephone

+17035935728

Website

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