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Establish a Guitar Care RoutineIt goes without saying that good guitar care and maintanence can add to the longevity and playability of your
instrument. Guitars are very durable and can provide years of enjoyment if they are well cared for.
Like a fine wine, some acoustic guitars are even known to get better with age. But what does "good guitar care and maintenance" mean exactly?
It means having a basic knowledge about the instrument and using some plain old fashioned common sense.
STORAGE One of the first things to consider for your guitar care routine, is how you will protect your instrument in order to prevent physical damage. Whether you're traveling or simply storing it, a case is like having a guitar care insurance plan and will help to safeguard your investment. Keeping your guitar in the case when you are not using it will prevent it from being accidently bumped, stepped on, scratched, nicked, or otherwise mistreated.
FREQUENT USE If you play frequently, are performing or teaching, This will enable you to set your "axe" in a safe place ready to play at a moments notice.
Be careful to avoid intense sunlight or heat as these can ruin a guitar pretty quickly. Exposing your guitar to these elements may cause the wood to become dry, brittle, cracked, twisted, or warped. Once this occurs the bridge could start to separate from the body rendering it completely useless.
The best guitar care procedure, whenever possible, is to keep it at room temperature (between 55-65 degrees) and steer clear of extreme climate changes.
MOISTURE If you have an acoustic guitar you might also want to Keep it inside the soundhole when you are not using it so that the wood doesn't dry out. This is especially important if you live in a hot, dry climate.
CLEANING Another aspect of your guitar care program should be regular cleaning.
Simply wiping down the neck and body after each use will not only keep it looking good, it will also sound better.
Over time the oils from your fingertips begin to accumulate on the surface of the strings and they lose their brilliance. Try to maintain the habit of wiping down your strings with a soft cotton cloth after each use. This will help to limit corrosion and extend their life.
It was specially developed to provide
everything necessary to keep your guitar in tip-top condition.
CHANGING STRINGS When you notice your strings are showing signs of wear and sounding dull, it's time to change them. How often you have to change your strings will generally depend on how much you play your guitar.
This could mean changing them every day or even more! Of course, you won't need to do it that often. Perhaps every 1-3 months. This is where you will have to exercise your own judgement and some common sense to decide what works best for you. If you are in the habit of cleaning them after each use, they will tend to last longer.
MORE HELP If you've never changed your guitar strings before, it might seem a like a daunting task. Please read my article titled:
It offers valuable help, explaining each step in detail.
That's about all I have for now. It will insure many long years of musical fun and enjoyment!
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