Purchasing an acoustic guitar is much like purchasing a beautiful, yet delicate and needy pet. Made of parts that were once living trees, your acoustic guitar needs to be hydrated, fed, kept out of the cold - okay, so they don't need to be taken out for a pee, but you get the point: they need to be maintained!
Of course, nobody wants to work for their instrument, we'd rather play them! Just keep in mind that even lackadaisical maintenance can ruin that beautiful guitar's look, sound and lead to expensive repairs. In this articles we'll touch upon some basic information any owner should know about successful long-term care of that instrument-pet we call the acoustic guitar.
You also want to avoid any wide swings in temperature or humidity, the combination of which can have devastating effects on your guitar. If the moisture content of wood is forced down too quickly, portions of it shrink faster than others, causing cracks on the finish (called "checking") and open joints. Placing your guitar next to a heat source is a definite red flag as the temperature is usually much higher, and humidity much lower than the surrounding environment.
When very high humidity is combined with high temperatures (as when leaving your guitar out side on a hot, humid day) glue joints could possibly become weakened and may even open slightly. If your guitar is exposed to freezing temperatures, let it warm to room temperature while still in its case. This allows the guitar to acclimate to room temperature more slowly, decreasing the possibility of wood and finish cracks.
Of course, nobody wants to work for their instrument, we'd rather play them! Just keep in mind that even lackadaisical maintenance can ruin that beautiful guitar's look, sound and lead to expensive repairs. In this articles we'll touch upon some basic information any owner should know about successful long-term care of that instrument-pet we call the acoustic guitar.
Humidity, Temperature and Your Guitar
Temperature and humidity are the two most important factors that can affect an acoustic guitar. Ideally acoustic guitars like to be kept in an environment with 70-75o F temperature and 40-50% humidity. Of course this is ideal and not always attainable and while a few points on either side is acceptable, getting much further will put your guitar is in danger.Hanging It Up
While hanging your acoustic may be a fine way to showcase your prized possession, unless you have a humidifier/dehumidifier and good temperature control in the room, it generally is not a good permanent solution. Hanging your acoustic in an unregulated room can quickly dry out your acoustic guitar and expose it to wide temperature swings.
At all costs, avoid hanging your guitar on an outside wall during winter months. The wall will be cooler than the inside air and the result is a wide disparity between the temperature of the top and back, with potential damage as a result.
A good rule of thumb is: when in doubt, leave it in it's case - if you have to hang it up or display it, do so at short intervals (an hour at a time).
You also want to avoid any wide swings in temperature or humidity, the combination of which can have devastating effects on your guitar. If the moisture content of wood is forced down too quickly, portions of it shrink faster than others, causing cracks on the finish (called "checking") and open joints. Placing your guitar next to a heat source is a definite red flag as the temperature is usually much higher, and humidity much lower than the surrounding environment.
When very high humidity is combined with high temperatures (as when leaving your guitar out side on a hot, humid day) glue joints could possibly become weakened and may even open slightly. If your guitar is exposed to freezing temperatures, let it warm to room temperature while still in its case. This allows the guitar to acclimate to room temperature more slowly, decreasing the possibility of wood and finish cracks.
Cleaning / Polishing Your Finish
While there are many guitar cleaners on the market, really the best way to clean the finish on your guitar is with a warm, damp and clean cotton cloth. Usually coated in a thin layer of either Nitrocellulose or Polyurethane, these finishes can become permanently marred if chemicals like sweat, aftershave lotion, moisturizers, etc. are not removed quickly.
Unsuspecting items especially those found in plastic, vinyl and leather straps, should not come in extended contact all with your guitar as the finish will also be affected over time. Alcohol, citric acid, insect repellent and a number of related substances are definitely a no-no.
Not only do polishes make your guitar shine and sparkle, they add an extra layer of protection against these harmful chemicals. As a consumer you have a pretty good selection of polishes available to choose from (Martin or Fender are our favorites), but all of them pretty much do the same thing. While polishing try to get to every crevice and corner making sure the finish is clean before polishing. Always used a clean, dry polishing cloth.
Unsuspecting items especially those found in plastic, vinyl and leather straps, should not come in extended contact all with your guitar as the finish will also be affected over time. Alcohol, citric acid, insect repellent and a number of related substances are definitely a no-no.
Not only do polishes make your guitar shine and sparkle, they add an extra layer of protection against these harmful chemicals. As a consumer you have a pretty good selection of polishes available to choose from (Martin or Fender are our favorites), but all of them pretty much do the same thing. While polishing try to get to every crevice and corner making sure the finish is clean before polishing. Always used a clean, dry polishing cloth.
Care and Feeding The Neck
The unvarnished necks found on an acoustic guitars need to be cleaned and conditioned about every other year as the rosewood or ebony can dry out, and residue left over from playing can build up over time. The best way to condition your guitar neck is to use a fretboard conditioner or linseed oil and a steel wool pad to clean off the crud.
First remove the strings and dip the steel wood into the oil and gently massage the oil into the fretboard. The buildup will loosen up and the oil will be absorbed into the wood, wipe off the oil with a clean cotton towel after your done. Many luthiers recommend leaving the oil on the fretboard from 1-2 hours after it's "massage", but be careful - leave it on any longer and the oil may turn to a gel on your fretboard.
First remove the strings and dip the steel wood into the oil and gently massage the oil into the fretboard. The buildup will loosen up and the oil will be absorbed into the wood, wipe off the oil with a clean cotton towel after your done. Many luthiers recommend leaving the oil on the fretboard from 1-2 hours after it's "massage", but be careful - leave it on any longer and the oil may turn to a gel on your fretboard.
Storing Your Guitar
We recommend storing your guitar in a quality case when not in use for a few reasons:
If you plan on storing your guitar for several months, be sure to loosen the strings and put it somewhere dry and temperate, like a closet.
- Humidity is easier to control in a confined space
- The case insulates your guitar from temperature changes
- Your guitar is protected from "accidents" (we've seen more than a few inadvertent catastrophes because a guitar is just laying around)
If you plan on storing your guitar for several months, be sure to loosen the strings and put it somewhere dry and temperate, like a closet.
