AK HB-8ACEQ Acoustic - Unbalanced Output

Just in today is this AK acoustic belonging to a full-time busker. He's such a busy performer that the strings, which he only put on a week ago, are already tarnished. The main issue is unbalanced output on the D and A strings, probably due to uneven string pressure on the under-saddle piezo element (pickup). Sad to say, he's replaced both the piezo element and preamp, but to no avail. 

So, we'll be running a full diagnostic check, and eventually identify the root of the problem. There's also the issue of the noisy and crackly output jack, which is most probably worn out from prolonged use. Easy enough to replace if need be. CA Guitar Repair. Taman Impian Ku, 25200 Kuantan.  

 

Kapok Acoustic - September 27, 2026 Update

Here's an honest-to-goodness Kapok six-string acoustic that belongs to a local busker. Sad to say, it's normal place of residence is hanging from a hook on the wall, and it's had a great fall. As expected, both the top and back are suffering from numerous cracks and serious delamination. We'll be dealing with the back first. And, as always, it's Titebond Original Wood Glue (red label), cauls, and clamps to the rescue. CA Guitar Repair. Taman Impian Ku, 25200 Kuantan.

Delaminated and Cracked Back

Delaminated and Cracked Top

Titebond Original Wood Glue

Regluing the Back

Clamps Applied

Jaguar Replica - September 27, 2026 Update

Jaguar Replica - September 20, 2026 Update

To date, we have confirmed a fretboard radius of 9.5 inches. We've also reapplied lemon oil as the fretboard was still looking a tad dry. The TUSQ PQL-5000-AG nut has been installed temporarily to enable restringing, and it's jutting out a little on the High E side. First fret action is also a little higher than we'd like. After restringing with D'Addario NYXL1046s, under-string radius, as set by the previous repair shop, was measured at 9.5 inches. However, there's noticeable fret buzz on all strings towards the end of the fretboard, and a slight disparity with regard to intonation. We'll definitely need to run a full setup once the strings and neck have stabilized. CA Guitar Repair. Taman Impian Ku, 25200 Kuantan.

Fretboard Radius is 9.5"

Second Application of Lemon Oil

D'Addario NYXL1046 Strings

Checking Under-String Radius

TUSQ Nut Is a Little Too Wide

First Fret Action Is a Little Too High

Ibanez GSR200 - September 24, 2026 Update

Ibanez GSR200 in Rather Poor Shape

After dealing with frozen screws, nuts, and the like, we've finally disassembled this bass. On the electronics front, a full rewire is on the cards, with only the pickups retained. As for hardware, we'll be retaining whatever is reusable after servicing, and replacing what's not. CA Guitar Repair. Taman Impian Ku, 25200 Kuantan.

GSR200 Control Cavity

9V Battery Compartment

Disassembly in Progress

Empty Control Cavity - Note Shielding Paint

Empty 9V Battery Compartment

Control Cavity Electronics

Pot Nuts, Flat and Lock Washers

B500K Neck Volume Pot

B500K Bridge Volume Pot

A500K Master Tone Pot

Phat II EQ PCB and B20K Bass Boost Pot

Output Jack Solder Joints

Neck Joint Sans Hardware

Neck Screws and Ferrules

Strap Buttons, Washers and Screws

Truss Rod Adjustment Nut

Die-Cast Machine Heads

Fretboard and Frets

Neck Heel

Bridge Mounting Screws, Saddles Disassembled

Bridge Plate Is Stuck Fast to the Body

Bridge Ground - Broken Connection

Jaguar Replica - September 20, 2026 Update

Work done on this guitar as of September 20, 2026. This includes installing under-pickguard shielding and prepping the replacement TUSQ PQL-5000-AG nut. There's lots more to be done so stay tuned, folks. CA Guitar Repair. Taman Impian Ku, 25200 Kuantan.

RC Stromm HSH - September 18, 2026 Update

Work done on this guitar as of September 18, 2026. This includes correcting neck pitch, cleaning the pickup polepieces, frets and fretboard, and also straightening the neck. What's left would basically be restringing and setup, but one never knows if another issue might suddenly pop up. CA Guitar Repair. Taman Impian Ku, 25200 Kuantan.

Epiphone Les Paul Special II Needs a Setup

This is a pre-loved instrument, and the current owner is not quite happy with its present condition. Besides the grimy fretboard and tarnished frets, areas of concern include buzz in the lower frets and what he terms "inconsistent" string height. We may attribute this to the 9 - 42 strings, zero neck relief and possibly a backbow. Yes, a fresh setup is definitely on the cards here. There's also the matter of the noisy and crackly output jack, which indicates a possible hardware and/or wiring problem. Recorded at 14:47 on September 20, 2026. CA Guitar Repair. Taman Impian Ku, 25200 Kuantan.  

      

Ibanez GSR200 in Rather Poor Shape

Here's a gloss black Ibanez GSR200 four-string bass with active electronics. The owner needs a solution for his malfunctioning preamp as none of the controls are working, more so the broken neck volume pot, which spins freely a full 360 degrees without stopping. Off camera, we've decided to ditch the Phat II EQ circuit and go passive, with two volumes and a master tone. Other noticeable issues include rusty strings, a grimy fretboard, tarnished frets, and painfully high action. Recorded at 17:40 on September 18, 2026. CA Guitar Repair. Taman Impian Ku, 25200 Kuantan.

Part 2 - Squier Strat Needs Some Help

◀ Part 1

In this video, we talk about what a "setup" at CA Guitar Repair normally entails. After the neck is straightened, a fret rocker is used check if the frets are level. Any high frets are then leveled and recrowned, a procedure known as "fret dressing." Then, the guitar is restrung and tuned to pitch, and neck relief adjusted if necessary. Under-string radius then set to match that of the fretboard, which is, in this case, 9.5 inches. Finally, we set the intonation by carefully matching the open string to the 12th fret harmonic. Recorded at 15:15 on September 16, 2026. CA Guitar Repair. Taman Impian Ku, 25200 Kuantan.

Part 1 - Squier Strat Needs Some Help

Part 2 ▶

Just in today from Kemaman is a rarely-used sunburst Indonesian Squier Strat. One of the issues mentioned is fret buzz, especially in the lower frets. The root cause of this malady is most probably insufficient neck relief. Then there's the under-string radius, which should equal the fretboard radius of 9.5 inches, but is much flatter. This means that the B, G, D and A strings are lower than they should be, and could also be contributing to said fret buzz. Recorded at 15:11 on September 16, 2026. CA Guitar Repair. Taman Impian Ku, 25200 Kuantan.

September 12, 2026 | Pramaya Live at Stadium Darul Makmur

Beloved Kuantan-based hard rockers Pramaya, has of late, been performing with Feez Harper on bass. This is because regular bass player Mie Epidura is frequently out of town due to work commitments. Mie does, however, show up whenever he's in Kuantan to lend support, and sometimes joins the his buddies onstage for a song or two. In any case, here are Jaz Faris, Rooz Razor, Zaha Southpaw, and Feez Harper rocking the house at Parking Lot A of Stadium Darul Makmur Kuantan on September 12. The last clip features two guest vocalists and good old Mie Epidura on bass.

RF Band in Sungai Koyan - September 6, 2026 - Part 2

YouTube Playlist

With reference to Part 1, RF Band was now in Sungai Koyan for our second gig of the day, namely, "Gema Citra Pahang 1st Parlimen Cameron Highlands." The night's events began after the arrival of Pahang Menteri Besar YAB Dato' Sri Wan Rosdy. It was a full house, for sure, forcing the majority of latecomers to remain standing around the stage area and event canopy. 

What everyone had come to see, of course, were performances by well-loved artists Zaki Yamani, Haqim Rusli, Roslan Madun, Rosma Sidik, and the Kopratasa trio. Our affable Emcee wrapped things up just before midnight, and we were packed and ready to return to Kuantan within the hour. A shout-out to Fauzi Long and his trusty Alza for getting yours truly home safely at 3:30 AM on Monday morning. Images in this post are courtesy of Haqim Rusli. 

Menteri Besar's Arrival

One for the Album

Full House

Menteri Besar's Opening Address

Roslan Madun and Rosma Sidik

Roslan Madun and Rosma Sidik

Roslan Madun

Roslan Madun

Kopratasa

Kopratasa

Kopratasa

Zaki Yamani

Zaki Yamani

Zaki Yamani

Zaki Yamani

Zaki Yamani

Haqim Rusli

Haqim Rusli

Haqim Rusli

Haqim Rusli

Haqim Rusli