Regardless
of whether or not your acoustic guitar is of an elite breed, durability
or if you have had it for a number of years, you will need to
diligently maintain it. The truth is that your acoustic guitar can last
as long as you (and beyond) by practicing simple tips.
Carrying & Storage
~ It is always better to carry your guitar in a case - whether soft or
hard. However, a hard case is better because it will provide for your
guitar maximum protection from bumps, temperature and fluids.
At
times, putting your guitar into its case may be inconvenient to you, but
laying it around or leaning it against the wall can be a set-up for
accidents. A good invention that solves this, by providing support for
your guitar and easy access for you is a guitar stand.
Planet Waves Acoustic Guitar Humidifier System
Temperature & Humidity ~ Enemies of your guitar
are extremes in temperature and humidity including when they change
rapidly. Shifted necks, cracked finishes, slackened glued joints are
all examples of damages that can happen to an acoustic guitar due to
environmental changes and conditions.
A stable environment of
controlled humidity and temperature is ideally what your guitar needs. A
humidifier is an effective device that can be placed in the sound-hole
of your guitar that can be set to maintain humidity at a particular
level. An acceptable level of humidity for guitars is 40% - 60%. Humidifiers won't interfere any at all with your playing.
When
carrying your acoustic steeled string guitar on a flight, it is advisable to
slacken the strings as the lower temperature may cause the strings to
contract (i.e. tighten) and place too much force on the neck of your
guitar. Too much force on the neck may cause it to be displaced.
String Care ~ Wipe your guitar strings with a cloth
to get rid of deposits of dust, dirt and oils from your fingers. Use a
string lubricant if you have metal strings to keep them shiny, light and
bright.
Before playing, you can clean your hands with a small
amount of hand sanitizer and wipe them in a cloth. The natural oils
from your hands will transfer to the strings and bog them down, so you
will have to avoid this.
Cleaning ~ Your guitar
is quite easy to clean. Guitars are not high maintenance, so what you
will need to do is to wipe your guitar with a damp cloth to get rid of
smudges, elbow grease and dust. Wipe the body, neck and fretboard.
Occasionally
polish your guitar. Many Guitarists abuse their guitar by over
polishing, lubricating and waxing. Some experienced guitarists suggest
that keeping the wood of your guitar dry is great for the increase in quality of sound. The
deposits of products used on the guitar can change the natural resonance
of the wood, and reduce the sound quality over time.
You can vacuum the inside of your guitar via the
sound-hole to get rid of dust and other unwanted particles.
Additional Miscellaneous Tips ~
- Avoid over-tightening your guitar strings, as this can cause excessive strain on the neck.
- Be extra careful when walking around with your guitar from room to room to avoid bounces and scratches.