Cleaning
and Maintenance Of Your Guitar
Beginning
guitarist spent most of their time learning how to play and the
techniques to improve their skills. Not much time is devoted to
cleaning and maintenance of their guitar. Keeping a well maintained
and tuned guitar will enhance the performance. Proper storage will
extend the life of the guitar. With this in mind here's a few tips I
hope you will find helpful.
Proper
Storage
Don't
store in the attic, basement or garage. If the temperature is too
cold it can crack too hot may warp. Some advocates suggest storing
in a guitar case at moderate temperature. Others say it is best to
store in the openMost guitars are made out of wood so temperature and
humidity play a vital role in the storage. on a stand or hung on the
wall. Both ways from what I have researched are good. It is much
easier to access your guitar if stored in the open place . The most
important factors are to keep your guitar dry, safe and at a moderate
temperature.
Improper
humidity can damage your guitar. Recommended humanity is
in
the range of 35 to 55 % relative humidity. To much humidity will warp
your guitar and cause oxidation to your metal strings. Too little
will cause drying. A dehumidifier can help maintain the proper
humidity.
How To
Clean
Dust can
collect daily a good dusting with feather duster or dust cloth with
pick up most of it. Natural oils from your fingers can build up on
the strings and cause corrosion. The buildup on the strings will
impede the sound of the strings, and seep into the fretboard. The
best way to clean the strings is after each playing is to wipe down
the strings with a chamois this will polish the same time clean. Some
suggest just using a diaper. The hardware that is the tuner, bridges
and the like can be cleaned with a mild jewelry cleaner or chrome
polish. Only use a dry cloth on the pickups. On the body a light coat
of furniture polish. There are Luthiers who suggest using cleaners
and polishes from one of the major manufactures.
A
recommended cleaner, polish...Vituoso –
www.vituoso.com
More
extensive information is found on the Internet. Search keywords
phrases...cleaning your guitar, guitar storage. Also very helpful
would be guitar adjustments keywords. Because after time due to
humidity, temperature and other factors will change the adjustments
and sound of your guitar. Keep strumming and
set a time
each day to practice.
