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.

·    After Practicing
If the strings start to rust, then they become very rough and have a higher propensity of cutting into your fingers. The deterioration of the strings is a common problem amongst guitarists. A guitarist with cut fingers is not going to play as well, so it is important to make sure that the strings of your guitar do not get to this stage. To prevent this, make sure that as soon as you have finished practicing take a soft cloth and clean the strings.

Another good idea is, before you case your guitar, to apply a layer of conditioner. You can pick these up for less than ten dollars, so they are relatively cheap and are great for preventing the oxidization of the strings which causes them to rust. This very simple action will rid your strings of all the dirt, oil and sweat that accumulates.

·    The fretboard
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. When you next change your strings, simply clean the fretboards with a damp cloth.

·    Polishing
By paying attention to the body of your guitar, you are more likely to sustain the overall life of the instrument. The body of the guitar can often be neglected, as people tend to focus on the strings and the fretboard. Polish it regularly with a lint-free cloth, using only guitar-specific polishes. Some more widely available household polishes arte too abrasive, and can cause damage.

·    Storage
Wood is a porous substance, which means it can absorb moisture. 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. Your guitar is a very sensitive instrument, and is extremely sensitive to the environment in which it is stored. For ideal conditions, you should be looking at storing your guitar at around 50% humidity and a temperature of around 25 degrees C.

·    Scratches
It may sound obvious, but you’d be amazed at how many people have made this mistake! 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! Before you even start to play, make sure you have removed all your jewellery and other accoutrements that may damage your guitar.

Guitar maintenance is not rocket science, and by treating your guitar with the respect that it deserves, you will get better rewards out of playing it. For the majority of the time, simply by applying common sense you will prolong the lifespan of your guitar.

Copyright 2009 Liam Gibson