Straight from the builder’s bench: Here are some tools that might just make your life a little easier.

Straight from the builder’s bench—these are the cool tools you need to keep your workflow moving along smoothly.

Guitar gear, by nature, regularly requires a bit of maintenance. So whether you’re a guitarist, builder, or both, having good tools makes it easier to stay on top of seasonal or technical changes. Any endeavor that requires mechanical or electrical maintenance is subject to what I call the 80/20 rule. This axiom refers to how we can spend 80 percent of our time fixing and 20 percent enjoying the fruits of our labor. You probably have a screwdriver or some wrenches, but there are a few neat little bits that make life on the workbench more pleasant and maybe shift the percentages of that rule.

Not everyone has perfect vision, and little things like guitar parts can be hard to see. Eyesight—which includes the brainpower to decipher what the eyes register—is one of the most energy-intensive things we do. Scientists say that vision uses somewhere between six and 20 percent of our brain’s resources. Even if you’ve got eyes like a hawk, it’s important to be kind to your system when manipulating tiny guitar parts like screws and strings. At the risk of sounding like your parents, I suggest you invest in some good lighting and a headband magnifier like the one Leo Fender wore. If you’re concerned about looking like a dork, remember that Leo invented the Stratocaster. I’ve got a few of these scattered about my shop at stations where vision is critical to the task, like adjusting intonation and bridges. They’re great for checking frets for high and low spots, too.

One of the most inexpensive and brilliant tools you can buy are good tweezers. Don’t bother with the junk from the health care aisle at Walmart. Go straight to McMaster-Carr’s website and get a couple differently shaped industrial-quality stainless steel ones. Once you get used to them, you’ll never turn back. And, of course, they also fit into your guitar case. I have a pair on almost every bench and desk in my shop—but then again, I’m a tool addict. The bent-tip tweezers are extremely useful for all small jobs including handling small screws. The ones with serrated gripping surfaces are great for threading strings through bridge and tuner holes. If you have champagne taste, go for the titanium solder-resistant pair for ultimate bragging rights.

I could be recommending old-school biker jeans from the ’60s, but this is about shrink tubing. I’ve been using this stuff for all kinds of jobs since before Jimi Hendrix played with Wilson Pickett­—and I still haven’t run out of new uses. Basically, it’s rubberized tubing that shrinks 50 percent in diameter when heated. It’s made for insulating wire splices. You slip it over the splice and blast it with a heat gun (another great tool) until it shrink-wraps itself around the joint. But that’s not the only thing it can do. You’ve probably encountered high-dollar guitar cables with shrink tube reinforcing the ends. You can upgrade your everyday cables for pennies by adding those reinforcements yourself. I’ve also used it to protect parts from abrasion. The material is tough and can also be used to prevent scratching on certain parts. Buy an assortment of diameters so that you have the proper size for any job. You can also layer diameters to get a custom fit. There is even a shielded version, which is perfect for audio wiring. This miracle part is available at vendors from Amazon to Zoro, in sizes up to 2" diameter. If you want to get into the weeds with this stuff, McMaster-Carr is once again the rabbit hole of choice.

We’ve all had our lives improved by drywall screws. Anything and everything you need to assemble quickly can be done with these little black wonders. Still, I’ve a new love, and its name is Spax. This German-designed, multi-purpose fastener is the Acropolis of quick-screws. The secret in each screw is three-fold: superior strength, multiple thread pitches (one for drilling, one for fastening), and a self-countersinking head. From hardwood furniture building to use with medium density fiberboard, these superior fasteners are self-drilling and reduce splitting when used without a pilot hole. After discovering these wonderful screws, everything else is Mickey Mouse—they’re great for repairing cabinets, cases, pedalboards, and more. Builders will love it for temporary tooling.

I hope a few of these items make your repair and build time more enjoyable. Nobody likes to have to fix stuff when they’d rather be banging out a tune. I still struggle with the 80/20 rule, but I have the tools to fight back. I’ve spent decades looking for the easier way around, and so should you.

Division of Laura Lee’s Viktor Lager on his No. 1 concern when playing live. Plus—his latest Mascis-inspired Jazzmaster mod.

Gibson partners with the Everly Brothers family for a limited-edition acoustic guitar equipped with AA flame maple and capped with dual pickguards.

Equipped with a AA flame maple back and sides paired with a thermally aged Sitka spruce top, the guitar is capped with the dual pickguards that The Everly Brothers made famous. The Everly Brothers SJ-200 features a stunning Ebony finish and also has essential SJ-200 cosmetic appointments including classic mother-of-pearl graduated crown inlays on the rosewood fretboard, as well as a “Moustache” bridge with four bar mother-of-pearl inlays. The bridge saddle, nut and bridge pins are bone, while Gold Grover Rotomatic tuners ensure solid tuning stability; an SJ-200 hardshell acoustic guitar case is included.

Alongside the release of the SJ-200, on Friday, June 17, the 17-track compilation album HEY DOLL BABY, will be released worldwide via Warner Records. On Father’s Day, Sunday, June 19, 2022, the star-studded virtual concert, “Hey Doll Baby Festival: Celebrating The Lives & Music Of The Everly Brothers” will feature the legendary songs of The Everly Brothers will air in full on Sunday, June 19 at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT on the official Everly Brothers’ YouTube, Facebook, and Website.

Beginning June 14, Gibson will release the limited-edition Everly Brothers SJ-200 acoustic guitar and the Everly Brothers x Gibson capsule apparel collection, onwww.everlybrothers.com and www.gibson.com. $7,999.00 USD. Only 30 of the Everly Brothers SJ-200 guitars will be available.

Michael Kelly Guitars announces four new electric guitar models for 2022.

The Hybrid 55T is a unique instrument that does it all with the flip of a switch. On the electric side are two custom voiced Rockfield SWC humbucker pickups with coil splitting for a wealth of classic and modern sounds. Additionally, a Fishman Powerbridge pickup system captures rich acoustic tones and is paired with its own volume control. Using the three-way pickup selector switch, players can quickly switch from electric to acoustic tones or a blend of both. The electric and acoustic signals are combined when using a standard guitar cable, or separated via a Y-cable to deliver isolated signals to electric or acoustic amplifiers for maximum sonic impact. The Hybrid 55T makes a bold statement. It features a mahogany body with a black satin finish, black binding, black pick guard, and an ebony fretboard for a distinctive look. The Hybrid 55T is fitted with a rock maple neck with modern “C” shape delivering balance, comfort, and sustain.

The Hybrid 60 Port is a truly versatile guitar that sounds as good as it looks. Delivering big electric sounds and authentic acoustic tones or a combination of the two, this guitar is perfect for any musical style. The semi-hollow mahogany body and spalted maple top make a striking visual impact. The Hybrid 60 Port feels natural and easy-to-play thanks to the double- cutaway design and modern “C” shaped roasted flame maple neck. Two single-coil pickups allow for dynamic leads or tight rhythm playing, while an under-saddle piezo pickup produces a clear acoustic tone. A 5- position switch allows players to select electric or acoustic sounds or a blend of both the acoustic pickup and bridge pickup, accommodating a variety of playing styles with traditional and innovative tones. Models are available in transparent blue and transparent red finishes.

The 1959 Port Thinline combines modern styling with classic lines. These eye-catching instruments boast highly-figured spalted maple tops, striking finishes and cream binding around the body and sound holes. The semi-hollow mahogany body provides a warm, round tone while still offering the rich sustain of a solid body guitar. The signature offset sound hole and side port enhances the resonance and acoustic properties of the instrument. From chunky rhythm chords to blistering leads, the 59 Port Thinline can dial up a wealth of sought-after sounds. Two Rockfield P90 pickups offer warm tones with a bite that screams when pushed into overdrive. Both the fingerboard and neck are constructed of roasted flame maple. The neck’s modern “C” profile allows for both comfortable chording and lightning-fast licks. Models are available in transparent blue and transparent red finishes.

To connect with Michael Kelly Guitars, visit www.michaelkellyguitars.com, Facebook, Twi6er, Instagram or Pinterest.