If we can save just one guitar...

Guitar Maintenance - 4 easy tips to care for  your guitar

In my last post we learned what to look for when shopping for your first guitar. Now that you took the time to learn about guitars, let’s talk about how to take care of your new baby.



Photo: Gregg O'Connell

• Don't leave your guitar in the car for several hours in hot or cold weather. The extreme temperatures can cause big problems. Guitars are made of wood so environmental changes can make the wood expand and contract leading to warping and cracking.
  
  
• When you finish playing or practicing your guitar, wipe the strings and fret board with a soft lint free cloth. Our skin has oils and sweat that can cause the strings to wear out or rust. All guitar strings will wear out sooner or later but a simple wipe down after each use will buy you some extra life and save you a few bucks.
  
  
• Keep your guitar in a case or on a guitar stand. I have seen too many guitars with broken necks, bent tuning pegs, and chips in the body due to being left on the floor or because they were just leaned up against the wall.
  
  
• Little brothers and sisters alert! Have you ever had a child get a hold of a pair of glasses, model airplane, a framed picture of Grandma, your favorite book, or just about any item you don’t want broken? For the love of God, please be careful when letting a toddler near your guitar.

If taken care of properly you should be able to sell your guitar once you out grow it or give it away to let another budding guitarist enjoy it. If you don’t follow these tips, you may end up buying a replacement as the trash man hauls the abused instrument off to the heap.

If you have any other tips feel free to leave them in the comments below. For information about guitar lessons click here.