So, you’ve just purchased an electric guitar and whether you’re a fresh-faced rookie or a seasoned guitar boffin, you’ll want to take care of it as best you can. After all, even if you’re just dipping your toes and went for an affordable option or splurged on a four-figure axe, you’ll get much more longevity if you take care of your instrument.
These tips will be familiar regularities for some of you, or brand-new information for others. Regardless of which camp you sit in, being reminded of great habits is equally as important as learning something new, so hopefully you’ll take something away with you and apply it to the lovely new guitar you’ve recently purchased.
Let’s get into it!
1. Change your strings regularly
Perhaps the most important electric guitar care tip is to change your strings regularly. Although this can be a hassle, especially if you’re new to the game, changing your old, rusty guitar strings will give your frets much more longevity. Oxidised guitar strings will corrode metal frets a lot quicker than a fresh set, so changing them for a fresh set when they start to corrode will give your frets a much longer life.
Although the regularity of changing strings will depend on each player; how often you play, if your strings are coated/uncoated, the acidity levels of your sweat (ew) will all determine how fast your strings corrode. However, the most general rule of thumb is this; when your strings lose their shine and go dull, particularly the treble strings, get a new set on.
2. Go easy on the polish
Now, when your guitar has been well-loved and hasn’t seen a cloth in months, a bit of guitar polish will go a long way. If a layer of grime has collated and you need a bit of assistance removing that finger jam, then a skoosh of Dunlop JD-651 will do a lot of the heavy lifting. However, if your guitar only has a few fingermarks needing to be buffed, then leave the polish aside; wiping with a micro-fibre cloth in circular motions will be more than enough for you. Although using excess polish is unlikely to do any damage, you’re just going to end up wasting it.
3. Get a suitable stand
You may already have one sitting about your studio, or perhaps you picked one up when purchasing your new guitar, but if you don’t have a suitable guitar stand then getting one that will work with your guitar is important. (Unfortunately) we can’t always have our guitar in our hands, so a sturdy guitar stand will save it from any unnecessary falls, bumps and dings.
Many general stands should do the job, whether that be an A-Frame stand or one with a neck holder. If your guitar isn’t offset, either of these options will suffice. Offset guitars are a little more tricky and many offsetters prefer to hang their axe up with a wall hanger. For those who have treated themselves to a nitrocellulose finish guitar, you’ll want to make sure your guitar stand is nitro-safe. Cheaper stands can react with this volatile finish, so spending a little more on a Hercules stand will provide a much safer experience.
4. Get a good guitar case
Investing in a good guitar case is a recipe for success. Hard cases will provide a lot more protection than a standard gig bag and are also a good place to store your guitar at home, especially if you have little ones or a curious cat roaming around. Hard cases tend to be a bit more expensive than a gig bag and a little more cumbersome, so if you don’t want the hassle of lugging around something heavy then a padded gig bag is the next best thing. No matter what option you choose, having a gig bag or hard case will offer much more protection than having nothing at all.
5. Keep in a temperate room
Guitars are highly susceptible to temperature fluctuations, which can significantly impact their performance. Rapid temperature changes can lead to alterations in a guitar’s action or intonation. Similarly, variations in humidity levels can also detrimentally affect your instrument. When exposed to fluctuations in humidity and temperature, wooden guitars expand and contract, resulting in noticeable changes in their structure and playability. If possible, you should keep your guitar stored in a temperate room, which will diminish the chances of it expanding or contracting.