Guitar maintenance?

Maurice · #1 November 18th, 2005

Hi,

I was wondering how you guys keep your guitar in shape.

I have a Takamine GB 7 for about 10 months and never really cleaned it yet.
Every two weeks I just clean it with a clean Cloth
What do you guys use for cleaning the wood

Maurice

silverbullet5774 · #2 November 18th, 2005

I just go to one of my local guitar shops and buy polish and fretboard cleaner. I also use string lubricant, but I'm the only person I know that does(most use it on bass guitar). I use gibson fretboard cleaner, usually apply 2 coats, scrubbing the first coat with a cloth to get the oils and dirt out of the wood; I gently rub in and let soak the second coat. Then I use either gibson or ernie ball polish on the body, neck and headstock. Of course this is usually when I restring the guitar, and I use some string lubricant after its properly restrung. Their is also a specific way I restring my guitar that helps it hold tune, not too many people do it, but it definitely helps.

Kirk Lorange · #3 November 18th, 2005

Yes, I also try to remember to use the stuff they sell in music shops, but I'm pretty slack when it comes to maintenance. I never get too upset over dings and nicks and scratches. So long as they feel good and sound good, I'm a happy twanger.

Kirk Lorange · #4 November 18th, 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by silverbullet5774

Their is also a specific way I restring my guitar that helps it hold tune, not too many people do it, but it definitely helps.

Are you going to share that with us, silverbullet?

coldethyl · #5 November 19th, 2005

With my acoustic I've been using Kyser Dr.Stringfellow polish and so far it' not been too bad. I've been told to stay away from silicone based polishers and cleaners though.

Spyder F16 · #6 November 19th, 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kirk

Are you going to share that with us, silverbullet?

I think SB is probably talking about the method shown here...

http://www.fretnotguitarrepair.com/stringing.htm

bluesguy · #7 November 19th, 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spyder F16

I think SB is probably talking about the method shown here...

http://www.fretnotguitarrepair.com/stringing.htm

That has to be one of the best sites for showing people how to string a guitar. Very nice. Thank you for posting it.

silverbullet5774 · #8 November 19th, 2005

I would be happy to try to explain the methid in words, but until I get a digital camera to take pics it may be hard to understand. I start by pulling on the strings and stretching them (with a pair of needlenose pliars) before I even put them on the guitar. Then pull a the high E string through the bridge. This is the hard to explain part, but here goes nothing: you give the string a measured amount of slack, you stretch the string out flat and grap it at the tuning peg above the tuning peg you would normally put the string through(in this case the B string tuning peg). Now you put the string in the high E tuning peg up to the point you are holding the string(You should have a good deal of slack in the string now.) make sure to hold the string down right below the tuning peg so the slack stays in the string. Now you twist the string in an interlocking patter, over/under/over/under, until the string is tightened. I repeat this in the order: High E, B, Low E, G, A,D. But thats just my picky preference for balancing tension on the neck during stringing, it probably doesnt matter much the order. Their is also another step I have heard of people doing where you run the end of the string through the tuning peg twice so that it creates a loop, which I may try out this weekend to see how it works out.

I apologize for making everyone wait all night for the reply (well it was all night here in America). I hope you understood what I was saying, if not I'll be glad to answer any other questions, I wont be on again for a little bit after this post though.

Maurice · #9 November 20th, 2005

Thanks for response guys!!!
The guitar shop offered me one service checkup on the guitar so I will buy polish,I think they will know what's best for my Taki

while I'm there I think I will pace a strap to.

About stringing the guitar, I always do it like the method on that site, I have to try the method Silverbullet explained to see what's better, the strings always seems to stay good in tune for me