If you want to get the most out of your guitar, regular care and maintenance is a must. Sound quality, longevity, and playing experience are all dependant on how well you look after your instrument.
While the guitar may seem like a pretty low-maintenance instrument, a few quick and easy habits will ensure it looks, sounds, and performs perfectly now and for years to come.
Here’s how to maintain your guitar.
Wash your hands before you play
Keep your strings and fretboard in good shape for longer by washing your hands before you play. Dirt and natural oils on your hands can deteriorate your strings, causing them to become stiff, brittle, and more difficult to play – not to mention sharp! Avoid this by washing and thoroughly drying your hands before you pick up your guitar.
Give your fretboard a quick wipe-down after use
Your fretboard is like a magnet, attracting dirt, oil, and dust. Keep it in top playing condition for longer by giving it a quick wipe-down after each use.
This is super easy. Just grab a paper towel, fold it in half, and slide it beneath your strings. Gently, but with a little pressure, slide the paper towel up and down the fretboard.
Change your strings
There’s nothing quite like the crisp, full sound of a new set of strings. Ensure your guitar sounds its best every time you play by committing to a regular string changing schedule.
How often you’ll need to change your strings will depend on a number of factors, including:
- How often you play your guitar – the more often you play, the faster your strings will deteriorate
- The type of music you play
- The quality of strings you buy
As a guideline, if you play for about an hour every day, you’ll probably need to change your strings every month or two.
Take your guitar to a professional technician
Just like you take your car to a mechanic, your guitar can benefit from a professional deep clean and tune-up every so often. Here are just some of the maintenance activities a guitar technician will perform:
- Check for loose frets and repair any if necessary
- Check and fine-tune the alignment of the guitar’s neck
- Complete a deep clean and polish
- Change your strings, if you ask them to
Do this annually, and you’ll enjoy your instrument for years and years to come.
Put your instrument to good use
If you’ve purchased a guitar but never invested in guitar lessons, you are missing out. Make the most of your instrument by learning the foundations of guitar playing with an experienced teacher. Find out more about our lessons here or give us a call on 02 9602 9774.
