Care and maintenance can sometimes seem secondary to playing, but if you want to continue playing for a long time, then it’s absolutely vital. We have assembled some of the best tips to keep your guitar in tip-top condition. By following these steps, you will find that the guitar will last as long as you want it to! Keeping your guitar in the best possible condition is paramount to enjoying the full life and playability of your instrument.
· Post-practice
A common problem amongst guitarists is the deterioration of the strings. If they start to rust they become much rougher, and also will be more likely to cut into your fingers. If your fingers are cut, then you are not going to be able to play as well, so it’s vital to make sure you don’t get to this stage. All you need to do is as soon as you have finished practicing, take a soft cloth and gently clean the strings.
This is a very simple action, but it will get rid of all the oil, dirt and sweat that can accumulate on the strings. You might want to think about applying a thin layer of string conditioner before you re-case your guitar. These solutions are relatively inexpensive (a good one will cost less than ten US dollars) and they do a great job of preventing the oxidization of the strings that causes them to rust.
· The fretboard
When you next change your strings, simply clean the fretboards with a damp cloth. There can often be an accumulation of dirt and grease around the fretboards, just as there is on the strings. If this is left unclean, it can lead to serious damage for your guitar, compromising the integrity of the instrument.
· Care for your body!
A lot of people neglect the body of the guitar as they focus too much on the strings and the fretboard. Whilst these do need a lot of attention, paying a bit of attention to the body of your guitar will prolong its life by a large factor. All you need to do is polish it regularly with a lint-free cloth. Make sure you use only guitar-specific polishes – some of the more widely available household polishes are more likely to be abrasive and cause some serious damage.
· Storage
Whilst most guitars are tolerant to a range of temperatures, excessive moisture will cause swelling which in turn causes the wood to warp and affects the overall sound. For ideal conditions, you should be looking at storing your guitar at around 50% humidity and a temperature of around 25 degrees C. Your guitar is a very sensitive instrument, and is extremely sensitive to the environment in which it is stored. Wood is a porous substance, which means it can absorb moisture.
· Scratches
It may sound obvious, but you’d be amazed at how many people have made this mistake! Before you even start to play, make sure you have removed all your jewellery and other accoutrements that may damage your guitar. The obvious things are things like bracelets and rings, but I have also seen expensive guitars scratched badly by something as simple as a belt buckle!
Guitar maintenance is not rocket science, and by treating your guitar with the respect that it deserves, you will prolong the lifespan of your guitar. For the majority of the time, simply by applying common sense you will get better rewards out of playing it.
Copyright 2009 Liam Gibson
Probably the first obstacle you will have to face when you decide to learn to play the guitar is buying one to start with. If you are not all that clued up about the genre, or if you have no friends who can play to ask for advice, then it can be a difficult task.
A lot of people take the advice of the shop assistant, which can often turn out to be a little misguided and driven by his desire to make a sale rather than getting the best deal for yourself. Many people, me included, make the mistake of buying a nice economical purchase to start learning on, and find that it does not even come close to meeting their needs.
If you are in this situation, and are looking seriously into the possibility of buying a guitar in order to learn, then there are a few things that you should be considering before you depart with your hard-earned cash. The following are all questions that you really need to know the answers to before you step foot into a guitar shop.
1. What style of music do you want to play?
It may sound quite obvious to say that an electric guitar is more suited to rock music whereas an acoustic guitar is better for strumming and singing along. However, many people make this mistake. You will know what you want to play, and what you want to learn. Make sure you keep this in mind so that you don’t get pressured into buying something that will not be suitable for your needs.
2. How much can you afford?
In reality, you should be looking at paying somewhere in the region of $250-$300 (US) for a decent electric guitar, and around $150 (US) for an acoustic. Your first guitar should be seen as an investment – an investment in your own musical future. Bear this in mind when you set yourself a budget for what you want to spend. If this is your first guitar, and you’ve never played before, then do you really want to spend thousands of dollars on a top-end instrument?
This is often a fraught step, and will take a little time to get it right, but the time is well invested to make sure that you get the right instrument. When you decided on the style of music that you want to play, and the budget that you can afford, then it’s time to make the decision on which guitar you buy. Bear in mind your answers to the questions above, and consider the following.
· Try before you buy. Buying your first guitar is a little like buying a new car – you wouldn’t just take the first one you see, right? Try as many guitars as you want! There’s also no reason why, at this stage, you shouldn’t be looking at guitars that might be outside of your budget – by doing this you will be getting a good idea of the range available to you, and the big differences that exist from one guitar to another.
· Pay special attention to the playability of the frets. Look at the condition of the frets – are they worn out? Do they show signs of excessive usage? Take a look at each fret, and play a note on each. If you listen to the sound that this produces, you may find that there is a small buzzing sound – if this is the case, then it means that the action of the guitar is not set properly. It could even point to a case of poor workmanship on the instrument.
· A quick and easy way to purchase your first guitar can be online. If you do decide to go down this route, then make sure you check out as many user reviews as you can in order to find out whether this particular guitar is right for your needs. . Online guitars can often be a lot cheaper than the store on the high street, with the added advantage that it will often arrive straight to your door.
· Be comfortable! Make sure you select a guitar that you like, and that you feel comfortable with. If you find one that fits you like a glove and makes a sound that you genuinely enjoy, then there is a much higher chance that that guitar will stay with you for a much longer time.
Whatever you do, do not get pressured into spending more than you want to append, as this will breed resentment before you have even begun. For the beginner attempting to learn to play the guitar for the first time, then you should be considering all of the above before you start. Playing the guitar really can be a wonderful pastime, always rewarding and great fun to boot.
Copyright 2009 Liam Gibson (Pro Guitarist)
