Guitars, by nature, are fairly resilient creatures, and with minimal care, should last many years. Like anything else, however, there are some maintenance items that you should be aware of such as cleaning, string changing, action adjustment, intonation and electronics.
Cleaning
The guitar should be cleaned on a regular basis to remove the natural build up of dirt, dust and grime from regular use.
A soft, non-abrasive, cloth will normally do the trick in conjunction with a polish of some sort. There are a number of guitar cloths and polishes available at your local music store and many can be purchased in a cleaning “kit”. In a pinch you can use a standard furniture polish with a clean, soft cloth from home.
Clean all the surfaces of the body and headstock with the cloth and polish. I typically refrain from using polish on the neck of the guitar because it has a tendency to “gunk” up which results in slowing down hand action when playing.
Guitar Cleaner Polish, String Cleaner, Winder and Fretboard Oil Care Kit – Guitar Oil and Cleaner for Body, Strings and Fretboard Fingerboard – Cleans, Polishes, and Protects
String Changing
Guitar strings will oxidize and corrode over time. Even when the guitar is in storage. As a result, they should be changed on a regular basis, although that time schedule will be different for everyone.
Many professional musicians will put a new set of strings on for every show. When I was touring, I never went on stage without a fresh set of strings. Now that I play mainly on weekends, I change strings only once every two weeks. If you are playing guitar at home and just picking it up every couple of days, you may want to consider changing strings once every month or so.
A new set of strings can “breath new life” into the guitar and make it sound better. Strings are not overly expensive so this is something that can a part of your regular maintenance routine without breaking the bank.
NOTE: If you are putting your guitar in long term storage it is recommended that you loosen the strings to reduce the stress on the neck.
Hricane Guitar Work Mat Kit+Two Heights Guitar Neck Support Rest+Guitar String Winder and Cutter Tool – Guitar Workstation Repair Maintenance of String Instruments
Action Adjustment
The “action” of the guitar is the height of the strings off the plane of the neck. (see “Guitar Buyer’s Guide”) It is natural for the neck of the guitar to twist and bow slightly in response to changes in climate and temperature. This movement causes the action of the guitar to change and, subsequently, needs to be adjusted periodically.
Tweaking the action of the guitar requires adjustment of the truss rod in the neck in conjunction with adjustments to the bridge of the guitar. (see “Parts of the Guitar”)
The truss rod is adjusted using an Allen wrench or a wrench designed by the guitar manufacturer. Bridge adjustments differ between acoustic and electric guitars and vary by brand.
CAUTION: Improper truss rod adjustments can cause damage to the guitar. If you are unfamiliar with truss rod adjustment techniques it is recommended that you consult your local music store or a qualified luthier.
Intonation
A guitar with proper intonation will remain in tune when playing notes and barre chords in higher positions on the neck. If your guitar is “in tune” in the open positions, but sounds out of tune when playing notes and chords higher up the fretboard, then your intonation needs adjustment. This is done at the bridge of the guitar (see “Parts of the Guitar”) and will typically be adjusted at the same time that the action is set.
Again, it may be best in the beginning to consult your local music store or a qualified luthier.
25Pcs Guitar Repairing Tools Kit Setup Kit with Carry Bag for Acoustic Electric guitar Ukulele Bass Banjo Maintenance Tool with Ruler Gauge Measuring Tool Hex Wrench Files Fingerboard Guard
Electronics
Electric guitars, and also acoustics with built in pickups, will need occasional electronic maintenance. Volume and tone pots (potentiometers), and selector switches will collect dust over time and will start to sound “scratchy”. They will need to be sprayed with a shot of “tuner” spray to clean them out. NOTE: Never spray WD40 or a similar lubricant into your electronics!!! That is asking for trouble.
Also, input jacks and internal wiring should be checked occasionally for shorts and breaks. Many of these connections, when broken, can simply be re-soldered.
By taking a moment to give a little extra care to your guitar you will prolong its life by many years and also add to its re-sale value when you get ready to upgrade!
Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions!
Fender Guitar Super Care Kit Bundle with Custom Shop Deluxe Guitar Care System 4 Pack, Super-Soft Dual-Sided Microfiber Cloth, and Fender Factory Microfiber Cloth
Guitar Repairing Maintenance Tool Kit with Guitar Neck Rest Cradle and Instrument Mat for Guitar Workstation, Acoustic Guitar Electric Guitar Ukulele Violins Bass Banjo, Gift for Musicians
MusicNomad Precision 6 pc. Guitar Setup Gauge Tool Set – Plus 24 pg. Instructional Booklet and Storage Case
Guitar Repairing Maintenance Tool Kit, Complete Pro Guitar Setup Kit Luthier Repair Tools with Guitar Work Mat and Neck Rest Support Cradle for Guitar Workstation, Gift for Musician Enthusiast
