Guitar
is the most widely used musical instrument. The usage level of guitar is higher
than any other instrument. Truly it is a valuable possession, but ironically a
guitar loses its original beauty and visual appeal in most cases. People cannot
take proper care of the musical tool, and thus it becomes the object of decay.
Guitar—a fragile
instrument made of thin woods (apart from the electric guitars). Manufacturers take
great care of a guitar while making it, and thus the visual appeal attracts us
most. But the components of a guitar can easily be messed up without a proper
care. Here I have suggested some key steps (for the acoustics only) to take a good
care of your six strings.
Polish: A regular polish
can maintain the visual appeal of your guitar. It enhances the beauty of the
wood used for making the guitar. Use specific guitar polish and wood oil after
your guitar category. Sometime guitar vendors recommend the oil or polish. Avoid
applying body lotions or washing detergents to polish the guitar body. A
regular polish will make your guitar evergreen.
Wipe: To clean your
guitar, you can wipe the body using soft dry clothes. During your play, a lot
of grime, oils and perspirations from your hands mount on the fret board. And
all these dirt impede the natural sound flow. Use dry clothes or soft
toothbrushes to wipe out all the dirt from the guitar body. Even you can apply
soapy liquids while wiping. Do not use wet clothes or chemicals to wipe the
fret board. Dry the fret board after wiping to make the fret board soft. Wiping
also lengthens the string life cycle. Isn’t it an excellent idea to wipe the
strings and fret board immediately after playing?
Temperature & Humidity: Guitars are the most vulnerable element to temperature and
humidity. Excessive heat or extreme cold both can damage an acoustic guitar. Heat
fades the colour and creates small cracks on the guitar body. On the contrary,
prolonged cold damages the neck and other bindings of the guitar. Use hard
shell cases to place your guitar and keep them in a moderately dry place as for
to protect it from heat and cold.
Metal Parts: A guitar has
some metal parts like tuning knobs, strings, bridge etc. Tarnishing of the metal
parts helps to lose the visual appeal of a guitar. Apply a convenient metal
cleaner to clean them up.
Storing: Always keep the
guitar in a moderately warm place. Preferably use a case to place it. And please
do not hang it or lay it on the ground. Use a floor stand. Untying strings will
reduce stress from the neck of the guitar. So, untie the strings if you do not
use it for a long time.
Caution against Scars: You
MUST be careful about the scratches on the instrument. Scratches may occur on
the guitar for various reasons. It may be a pick, a belt buckle, strap pins, your
pets or small children to put a mark on the guitar body. Use pick guard and keep
it away from pets or children. Always be careful while playing it to prevent
the scratches.
Do Not Lend Guitar: At
times we have to lend our guitars to our acquaintances. But most of them do not
have any idea over playing a guitar safely. So never lend your guitar at any
rate. And if you cannot avoid such requests, educate the person with some basic
ways to handle the guitar. Offer proper advice about the guitar safety.
Check the attachments: Make
a regular check over all the attachments of your guitar like screws, tuning
knobs and pins. Adjust or tighten them if required. Adjusting the screws help
you prevent unnatural sounds during your play. Either take the guitar to a
technician for a complete scan, or attend guitar classes to learn more about
guitar adjustments.
Keep in Touch: Regular
playing is the most effective way to keep your guitar in excellent form. Play
or practice guitar when you can manage time. I have seen some vintage guitars
get ruined for lack of use. So, keep in touch of your guitar!
Author
Bio:
James Whitfield prefers sharing his knowledge on
DIY tips, Foods & Recipes, Music & Entertainment, Web Technology and
many more, and by profession he is a ghost writer. He plays guitar on his
leisure hours and encourages attending guitar classes at http://www.musicworksmagic.com. 
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