Tips For Looking After Your Guitar
Owning your own electric guitar is very exciting but it also takes a bit of work to make sure that the guitar keep looking and sounding its best. If you do not take proper care of your electric guitar, it will start to lose its luster as well as the perfect sound. Below are some basic tips to help you in taking proper care of your guitar so that it will be looking and performing its best for years to come.
Taking care of the Strings
It is very important to wipe down the guitar with a soft cloth after each use, taking extra care to thoroughly scrub each and every string. Music stores usually carry a cleaning kit made specifically for electric guitars so that you will have all that you need when it comes to caring for your instrument. It is important to use some type of string lubricant on the strings as well as the fret to help make them last much longer. The lubricant will help to keep the frets and strings both shiny and slick so that it will extend their life.
Cleaning the Guitar
If you want your guitar to last a long time then you need to clean it on a regular basis. Your hands can transfer dirt, oil and grime which can build up on the guitar which over time can make the neck of the guitar as well as the strings very sticky. Always make it a rule to wash your hands before handling your guitar. Hand sanitizers work best for getting dirt and oil off of your hands without softening them too much. You do not want to have your fingertips too soft as this can affect your playing.
Storing your Guitar
The best way to protect your guitar from damage is to store it in a hard-shell case when not in use. There are also soft cases at a cheaper price but the amount of protection they provide is minimal and if the case is dropped, it will do nothing to protect your guitar from getting broken. You should make sure that the case fits exactly to your guitar so that it will not jiggle around when being transported. You may also want to invest in a guitar stand for when you are using the guitar; you have a safe place to put it when you are taking a break. The last thing you want to do is lean it up against the wall or lie it down on the floor. This leaves it open to getting stepped on or knocked over by accident.
Protect your Guitar from the Heat
You should never leave your guitar in a vehicle over night as the heat can warp the guitar just as cold temperatures can, making it not play correctly. If you are serious about keeping the guitar in tip top shape you may want to look into a guitar humidifier to keep a constant level of humidity surrounding the guitar when it is stored away.
All of the tips listed above will help to protect your guitar, extending its shelf life giving you years of enjoyment, playing your favorite songs.
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