Have you just bought the guitar of your dreams but have no idea how to take care of this new instrument? Here are some steps that will help you preserve the look and sound of your guitar even after a long time.
Steps
Step 1. Treat your guitar with extreme care
Treat the guitar just like you would in a shop or any other valuables in your possession. Never place it on the floor if you are not playing or performing some maintenance. The best place to store the guitar is in its case or on a suitable stand. You can choose between a hard or soft case or decide to hang the guitar on a special wall support, or place it on a specific stand for this type of instrument.
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If you have an electric guitar, try loosening the strings slightly so that you can remove any dust that has accumulated around the pickups.
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If you have an acoustic guitar, loosen the strings and remove dust along the bridge.
Take Care of a Guitar Step 2Bullet2 There is no need to loosen the ropes too much, the important thing is that you are able to pass under them with a cloth
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It stresses the structure of the guitar to verify that it has not come loose. If this is the case, look for any screws to tighten.
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Step 2. If you intend to take your guitar outside, go to your local guitar dealer and check the price of the padded or, better still, rigid guitar cases
Hard guitar cases have a hard shell that can adequately protect your instrument.
Method 1 of 2: Changing the Strings
Step 1. Changing the strings on a guitar is not as difficult as it may seem
Make sure you have the correct strings for the type of guitar you have. You can also combine strings of different thickness and metal material for electric ones.
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It is perhaps easier to start with the high E (the first string), but you can also start from another string.
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Step 2. A very useful tool is the cord winder:
it is applied to the mechanics and allows you to stretch or loosen the strings more easily. This is an instrument that you could do without, but it is highly recommended that you have it in case you accidentally break a string during a performance. First, loosen the string on the mechanics. Keep turning until the string is loose enough that you can pull it with your hands and remove it from the mechanics. Finally, go down to the deck and see how the rope is attached.
Step 3. Make sure that the string turns several times around the peg, otherwise it will tend to lose tuning more easily
Step 4. There are different types of bridges
However, on most electric guitars, the principle is simple and you don't need to have a tool to loosen the strings, unless you have a Floyd Rose system where the strings are clamped in a clamp. In this case, you must have a male hex wrench that you should have shipped with (if you bought a new guitar).
Method 2 of 2: Personalization
Step 1. Go to your local dealer or search the internet for spare parts
Replacing the knocker or volume knobs is simple and gives your guitar a touch of class.
Step 2. If you are an experienced player, you can try to customize your guitar by painting it or applying stickers
However, it is best not to paint an acoustic guitar as you may decrease its sound quality. Do not try to remodel your guitar, nor to modify its body, neck or headstock: you could compromise its sound.
Advice
- Make sure the shoulder strap and pins are secure and in good condition to reduce the risk of dropping the instrument on the ground and damaging it.
- Keep the guitar away from sources of heat, humidity or objects that could scratch it. Keep it at around 21 ° C with 40% humidity.
- Whenever possible, if you play standing and moving around on stage, tuck your guitar cables into the shoulder strap with some room for movement.
