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Inspection Mirror Recommendations?

Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2023 8:01 pm
by rcnewcomb
What are your recommendations for a set of inspection mirrors for looking at the inside of acoustic guitars?
Should I have both flat and magnifying?
Do any come with lights that are useful?

Re: Inspection Mirror Recommendations?

Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2023 6:46 pm
by Bob Gleason
My recommendations are anything that will fit in the sound hole. I have a few. If you look in hardware store bargain bin, there are usually some there. I have not found magnifying ones or expensive lutherie ones with lights to be necessary. The lighted ones are always dead when I need them. I do much better by sticking a light in the box. You can make a small light from Christmas tree lights. Stew-Mac does have a nice rechargeable light that works in guitars, but not small instruments. If you need a directed light, you can bounce the beam off a mirror with a flashlight. Beware that lights get hot quick, so you can easily damage a finish if you leave a light in contact with the inside wood for long.

Re: Inspection Mirror Recommendations?

Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2023 11:10 am
by phavriluk
Contradictory response: I have a couple of the lit ones. I found that they work and I find one-hand use convenient. I haven't seen any battery-life problems, LED's don't eat much and on-times are short. These ain't reading lights. Cheap enough to try for oneself.