Kevin Nitrovane 'The Tuning Specialists'

Tuning is everything. You can have the finest instrument with the most expensive woods, but if it does not play properly in tune then it is wasted. Notes that do not ring truly together have a cancelling effect. Poor tuning and inaccurate harmonics draw the life out of all stringed instruments.

When you buy a new guitar from a shop that has come from a factory, it does not come in its optimum condition. In fact, vast improvements can be made. Even if a guitar has left the factory with a perfectly straight neck, it rarely can stay that way, as wood, being organic, can change. It can shrink and warp as moisture continually comes out of the wood. There is also the heavily debated issue of the effect of string compression on a neck. Fret boards and frets are leveled without taking this compression factor into account. On recent work on one of Hank Marvin's red Stratocasters, there was a 2.5mm movement in the neck when under string tension. Even the slightest of changes can effect the playability and tuning of an instrument.

In addition, all guitars have a number of problems that exist even when a guitar has been " set up" and "tuned" to its ideal. The guitar can have an overall "close to tune" feel, but it will not be "in tune”. If a guitar is tuned with open strings then the open "A" and "D" chords will not be in tune. Further more, if the guitar is tuned to play an open "D" chord, then the "A" chord will still not be in tune. And visa versa. They were never designed to be. Ask any recording studio. It is a problem inherent with the design of the guitar and is in all guitars. The Nitrovane process overcomes this exact problem with a localised cure for the individual guitar, and guitarists playing style. Nothing is perfect, but we can get very close. As every guitar is different, the cure is also slightly different, so there cannot be a "one size fits all" system that works. The alterations are hand made for the individual guitar player and guitar. Other systems require large alterations to the neck of a guitar, some even offering a replacement neck to improve tuning. My system can be retro fitted to most guitars and can be removed without damage.

Tuning is a very fine art, and after many years of thorough research, I've been able to develop a range of techniques to correct the inadequacies in a range of stringed instruments.

The AAA and AAAA processes have transformed countless numbers of my client’s instruments into wonderfully playing and finely tuned musical tools. I recently worked an AAA service to Yusuf's (Cat Stevens) black Gibson J200 in Sydney on the last tour. He brought this guitar from Dubai, but it was not selected to be used because of its poor function. On examining the instrument the next day prior to the show, he said that " its the best guitar he has played"

The Nitrovane servicing can transform both expensive and budget instruments into excellent playing and sounding tools for both recording and live situations, and owners of vintage guitars need not worry. No Nitrovane alterations will alter the value or originality of their guitars.