Guitar Care

Guitars are made from wood, often selected species, and their construction cannot withstand heavy impacts. Their sound is also closely linked to their acoustic structure. They should therefore be protected and stored with care.

Guitarcan be considered in four sections: Body, fingerboard, neck transition and headstock. The largest and most delicate of these parts is the body. It consists of a back, a top and sides bent to the shape of the guitar. Because of their large surface area, the top and back can be damaged by strong impacts. A small dent caused by a hard object may not change the sound much, but it leaves a visual blemish. A heavier impact can break the body and ruin the guitar. Avoid storing it close to sharp or angular objects. The sides are more resistant to such impacts.

The guitar body is polished and varnished to protect the wood from scratches. Storage in very hot or very cold places can affect or even damage this finish. Sudden temperature changes can also wear the wood physically through rapid expansion. Keep the guitar at room temperature and avoid abrupt moves between environments with very different temperatures.

Although the long, thin fingerboard area may look delicate, it is among the guitar’s strongest parts because it is made from dense wood. Depending on the guitar’s quality, the fretted surface may be wood or a lower-quality material whose finish can wear off. Mixed with perspiration, this may turn the left fingertips greenish-black. Players whose hands sweat heavily should wipe this area after playing to protect the fingerboard and strings against oxidation. A hard impact that dents the fretted surface can make playing uncomfortable. Direct impacts can also damage the physical structure of the strings.

The guitar’s most vulnerable area is the neck-to-headstock transition. Impacts to either this area or the headstock can damage it because it acts as a pivot point. It may crack, split or break, usually at the back. To prevent damage, often caused by a fall, avoid leaning the guitar upright against flat surfaces such as walls. The article suggests that only an undisturbed corner is suitable for leaning it vertically; otherwise, it recommends horizontal surfaces such as a bed or sofa. It proposes laying the guitar lengthways on a sofa, as though it were a person, with the headstock resting on the armrest. Guitar stands for storage are also available in music shops.

A frequently played guitar should be stored at a temperature similar to that of the room where it is played. If you pick it up occasionally at home, the article says it need not remain in its cover. A guitar used only rarely or when needed should be kept in a cover or case to protect it from risks. Protection from damp is particularly important for steel-wound strings, which can otherwise rust quickly. Correct tuning is important for consistent sound. The article explains this by describing strings as tending to retain the frequency to which they were tuned during their first week, making it harder to return an incorrectly tuned guitar to standard tuning for ensemble playing. It compares a tightened loose string’s tendency to slacken again with a loosened tight string’s tendency to recover tension. It therefore recommends checking the tuning regularly and correcting it when needed, and relates slower loss of tuning to better guitar quality.

A guitar does not require excessive maintenance. Still, wiping dust from the body and strings with a soft, dry cloth is helpful. Cleaning the strings promptly after playing with sweaty hands is also a useful precaution against rust. If the polish or varnish is badly worn, refinishing with the help of someone knowledgeable about wood can protect both appearance and the wooden body. The article also suggests occasionally removing dust that has entered through the soundhole with a vacuum cleaner for hygiene.

Tayfun Kumova
Rekor Sanat – Guitar Teacher