If you are buying a guitar or have bought one, guitar care should be part of your investment. You must make sure your guitar gets the regular attention and the professional servicing it needs in order to keep it in good condition. This article explains the major points that we cover in our guitar classes on how to take care of your guitar.
First of all, you should ensure your guitar is cleaned regularly. Polish your guitar using a good furniture polish like Mr Sheen which is available in supermarkets.
Every time after you finish practicing, wipe the strings of your guitar with a soft dry cloth. This will prolong the life of your strings as it will remove sweat and oil that is in your hands.
Make sure your guitar is not exposed to extreme temperatures. For example, do not leave your instrument exposed to the sun as it can make the colour fade and cause issues with the wood. Ideally, store your guitar at home in a cool and dry place.
On the subject of storing your guitar, make sure that it is left in its case when you are not playing it to protect it from being knocked over.
When you change strings, make sure to do a thorough clean of all the frets on your guitar. This will remove the oil and grime that builds on the fretboard and will prolong the life of your strings. To clean your fretboard, use a soft toothbrush and brush each of the frets with a mix of water and soap. Get more detailed instructions on how to clean guitar strings in our other blog entry.
The last two things to consider for guitar care are:
- Don’t wear a belt with a buckle when you practice as it can scratch your guitar. Seems obvious but I have seen it done!
- Buy a guitar stand. The investment is well worth it. Leaning it against a wall or an amp can lead to disaster if it falls over.
To summarize, if you take good care of your guitar by following the advice given here, your guitar will last you many years. Furthermore, it will also give you a better financial return should you decide to sell it. If you would like more information about your guitar, please call us at Do Re Mi Studios on 95892535. We have guitar classes to suit beginners and experienced musicians.