Bert Thanks for the advice. I wouldn't know where to start on why my current guitar is really aweful. Apart from when bits fall off I bung on freebie old bits from the local music shop, and they don't always suit. It has never had anything other than a very dull sound, and was as nothing compared to the very cheap and cheerful old one my sister had at school, which I grabbed off her and painted up in bright colours for my little daughter one christmas. That one I loved - until someone (dog or daughter I suspect) fell throught it. BUT - I hadn't thought of actually trying anything scientific to make my current one better. So, I'll contemplate that as a project (the last thing I took apart it still apart tho). I may actually come to love it like the other one .... I still yearn for a nice new one for 'best' though....