Perry's Music ChordBuddy User Manual

C C hordBuddy User Guide
1.0 About ChordBuddy
Congratulations on purchasing ChordBuddy. Read this section to learn about the features of ChordBuddy, its component parts and more.
WARNING: To avoid injury, damage to ChordBuddy, or damage to your guitar, read all operating instructions and the safety information in
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this guide before using ChordBuddy.
WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD – Small parts.
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Not for Children under 3 years.
Do not leave ChordBuddy or any of its component parts unattended when children are present. Tabs, finger pads, and rubber boots are
easily removed and present a choking hazard.
ChordBuddy is a training device that attaches to the neck of a guitar to help you overcome the frustrations of learning to play. By eliminating the initial
demands of learning chord forms, the ChordBuddy allows you to focus on the basics of rhythm and strumming. So, within a few minutes of clamping it
to your guitar, you can begin to experience the joy of making music.
With its patent-pending tab removal system, the ChordBuddy, when
used in conjunction with the lesson plan and companion DVD, will
guide you through a self-paced, learning process to get you quickly
playing on your own.
1.1 ChordBuddy at a Glance
Your ChordBuddy package includes the ChordBuddy (with tabs for
the key of G), an instruction book, a follow-along instructional DVD,
and a songbook. The ChordBuddy works on all standard
dreadnaught, concert, 3/4, and 5/8 sized
acoustic and electric guitars with average to low string height.
2.0 Installing ChordBuddy
Read this section to learn how to properly install ChordBuddy.
2.1 Inspection
Before installing ChordBuddy, you should inspect your ChordBuddy to insure none of its component parts became dislodged during shipping.
Ensure tabs are properly seated in the ChordBuddy base. Each tab should be fully inserted into the base – tab stops against the base and
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rounded portion of each tab extending past backside of base. Additionally, ensure tabs are perpendicular to the base and individual tabs do
not touch each other.
Ensure rubber boots are properly seated on the feet of each tab. ChordBuddys are shipped with rubber boots installed for a "standard" string
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height guitar. Your guitar may require a different configuration (see Section 3.0).
Installation
2.2
To install the ChordBuddy on your guitar:
Set the fixed side bracket on the guitar neck at approximately a 30 degree angle, at the first fret just behind the nut, and the inside ridge
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resting on the edge of the fingerboard between the nut and the first fret.
Rotate the ChordBuddy down towards the fingerboard, until the clamping side bracket slips over the side of the guitar neck and the inside
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ridge is resting on the edge of the fingerboard.
Ensure the inside ridges of both the fixed and clamping side brackets are up against the nut (slide forward or backwards, as necessary) and
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flat against the fingerboard (rotate up or down as necessary).
Tighten thumbscrew securely. Check to ensure that all the tabs are firmly seated into the base. Check to ensure that none of the tab feet are
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touching the strings when the tabs are not depressed. When properly aligned the ChordBuddy should sit at a 30 degree angle to the neck.
3.0 Trouble Shooting
Read this section to learn how to eliminate string-buzzing noises. There is a troubleshooting guide available on our website, www.chordbuddy.com.
Important: ChordBuddy is designed to teach the formation and strumming of chords. As such, playing individual strings/notes may not
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produce as clear of a tone as could be achieved by individually fingering the string at the desired fret.
Important: When playing chords, ensure you press straight down on center of appropriate tab finger pad. Depressing finger pads at an
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angle and/or off-center can cause unequal distribution of pressure on strings, resulting in string buzzing/deadening.
String buzzing and dead sounding strings can occur if (1) there is unintended contact with a string, or (2) a string is not properly fretted. If you encounter
string buzz or dead sounding string(s), perform the following steps: