Care & Cleaning
Whether you own one guitar or fifty …. it's important to keep it looking good! I've never subscribed to the "beat up is better" school of guitar ownership. Maybe it's my imagination but a clean well-cared-for car always seems to run better and I think the some is true of guitars. Here are some cleaning and maintenance tips to keep your baby looking its best!
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
You are so correct. I go one step further. I run a clean rag under the strings and when I get home from a gig I open the case and let the guitar "air out" instead of leaving it closed up. The next day I use a "green scrubbie" scouring pad to clean the straight steel strings to remove all of the dirt and grime. I loosen the strings and clean under the string where it goes through the nut and over the bridge. It's amazing how much longer they will last with a good cleaning. This was taught to me by an old steele player years ago. Steele players don't like to change strings and they want them to last as long as possible. Keeping the strings clean makes them last. Also, wipe the pickups and tailpiece off with a clean rag and occasionally uses an old toothbrush to clean the excess dirt and grime out of the bridge. I have a lot of guitars and I always wondered why someone would pay good money for something and then not take good car of it. I've seen guys that keep their cars spotless and let their guitars look like pieces of crap and then complain that they won't stay in tune or their strings are "crappy" because they don't last long. My only reply is that if you don't take care of your equipment, it won't work correctly. See how many carpenters, plummers and mechanics don't take care of their tools and I'll show you an out of work carpenter, plummer and mechanic.
Wow Vince …. you obviously care very much …. good for you. These are great tips you’ve added!
Hi Jackson,
I really ike my guitarrs, I own two, but besides keepthem clean as you have recommend i would like to make yo aquestion, Does the guitar shoul remain, in case or air, whit tensed strings or losed?, what is better for it?
PD: I realy don´t know the rigth terms, but I hope have explain by my self…
Hi Miguel …. I guess I would say it depends on the air. You don’t want it too humid for sure … but assuming you have a normal air situation … no reason to keep it cased. Same with string tension …. sellers or players often loosen for travel …. again because they are not sure what the air is going to be like. I’ve heard some say not to hang guitars on hangers but I’ve never noticed an issue with that. ….hope that helps!