Comments on: 10 Guitar Maintenance Steps You Should Always Follow, But Probably Don’t

By: Cary

Cary — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 16:34:56 +0000

Hi Ismael,

There’s no problem there. In fact, some would argue that the extra exposure to sound waves, particularly heavy bass, might actually help “open up” the wood on your prized guitars… for the same reason that many guitars sound better as they age and are played.

But particularly if you have acoustics hanging on your wall, be sure you take care that the humidity in your studio remains decent. The humidity in your guitar case tends to be better regulated.

Most of all, have fun!

By: Ismael Sanchez

Ismael Sanchez — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 22:26:30 +0000

Hi, those a great tips, i will be sure to follow.

I have a question though, I have my guitars hangin from the wall in my studio. I tend to play my speakers kind of loud. will the waves of sound/bass of the music affect my guitars. is there a way to protect them?

Thanks

Ismael.

By: kay

kay — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 02:25:49 +0000

if i live in southern california, and i keep my window closed and door to my room closed all the time, and am very picky about foreign things in my room, and my guitar is on a regular stand, and keep it plugged in, is there anything wrong with that? please find fault with smallest detail, it will help. p.s. i dont want to spend money on humidifier, etc. alternatives?

By: Mike F.

Mike F. — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 19:29:22 +0000

“An expert friend of mine insists that case storage can cause the neck to warp if the guitar isn’t played often enough. He states that using wall hangers (and cloths where the hanger touches the neck) take advantage of gravity and help to keep things from warping.”

The storage (case) does that or the fact that it isn’t played often. In either case storage, not played often or even left on a floor stand does nothing to the neck as far as “pull”. I’m pretty sure that the tension from the strings (when in standard tuning) is enough to keep it from warping. I wouln’t leave my heavy unchambered Les Paul hanging by the neck when not playing!

By: How To Read Guitar Music

How To Read Guitar Music — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 23:25:32 +0000

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By: Steve B

Steve B — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 01:31:52 +0000

The ‘case’ storage thing is interesting. I have made the mistake of not keeping a cloth between the guitar neck and neck support of the case. This caused the finish to mar where contact was made. So, a very nice Guild D-35 became a not-so-nice D-35. An ‘expert’ friend of mine insists that case storage can cause the neck to warp if the guitar isn’t played often enough. He states that using wall hangers (and cloths where the hanger touches the neck) take advantage of gravity and help to keep things from warping. Right now mine stay hung, and the room is air conditioned. Frankly, I don’t always have time to play every day, and I don’t know for sure what to do. I have hardshell cases for all of my axes, and I suppose I could ‘rotate’ them between hanging and cases. I wonder what the MFG’s recommend….

By: dave

dave — Wed, 23 May 2007 16:46:09 +0000

In practice, Rule #3 contradicts Rule #9. You’re FAR less likely to play a guitar that is kept in its case! Unless you’re taking it somewhere, you’ll grab the one that’s just sitting around, waiting to be played – sometimes, I just reflexively pick up a guitar, just because it’s there. If a guitar is in its case, I have to go get it out – I need more intent, and thus play less.

Honestly, I try to keep a guitar (and a hand drum) in every room I’m in on a regular basis. Sure, they’re technically better off in their cases – but being played regularly makes them happier than being stored properly.

By: chet

chet — Fri, 11 May 2007 19:47:40 +0000

A hardshell case is the best cheap insurance. Several years ago I learned that the hard way after I sat my new Tacoma dm-10 directly behind the rear tire of my pickup truck. At first I though I had just backed over my dog which was terrifying enough. Luckily all I had to do was replace the latches on the case and wipe off the tire mark! On the wet hands thing – I heard that Alan Holdsworth actually soaks his fingers in warm water before a live show. He says he likes the rubbery feel. No thanks.
Sorry for the late comment, I just surfed in.

By: Diez pasos para mantener tu guitarra en forma : Antes del Shopping

Diez pasos para mantener tu guitarra en forma : Antes del Shopping — Fri, 11 May 2007 16:32:53 +0000

[...] Via Elec.Guitar Review [...]

By: Mark Kardwell

Mark Kardwell — Wed, 09 May 2007 21:49:57 +0000

Before playing, I like to punch a bucket of sand for ten to twenty minutes, to get the callouses on my knuckles up. And eat donuts.

By: Matt

Matt — Wed, 09 May 2007 14:13:08 +0000

Hey guys, thanks for the feedback!

I don’t like to wash my hands before I play either cause then you have soft fingers. But I agree with you there Ignacio, cold water does work better. It doesn’t seem to soften you up as much. Heh, has anyone tried playing the guitar after doing a few loads of dishes or after taking a shower? Not so fun right?

I never used to put my guitars in their cases and when I moved from British Columbia to Alberta a few years ago my acoustic was basically destroyed by the dry prairie air. I learned my lesson about humidifying then.

By: Stratoblogster

Stratoblogster — Wed, 09 May 2007 04:29:09 +0000

My pet peeve is, if you’re gonna lean your guitar against the wall, turn it strings side to the wall.

By: Mike V.

Mike V. — Tue, 08 May 2007 19:42:19 +0000

Yea, I’m bad about leaving my guitar on the stand for days on end.
Thankfully, we have pretty temperate weather here in San Diego, so that helps.
Although yesterday when I got home from work after we just got hit with a weird and very warm switch in the weather, MAN was she out of tune.
Funny, I didn’t really notice it at first because every string was pretty much flat in the same amount.

By: Kizzy

Kizzy — Tue, 08 May 2007 15:56:30 +0000

Great post!

By: Ignacio

Ignacio — Tue, 08 May 2007 14:18:28 +0000

Pretty cool tips. I follow all of them, except for the case humidifier one. Not in that league…yet. :)

Actually, washing my hands makes my skin soft and “sticky.” So, I typically don’t wash before I play. I did have a job once where my hands were constantly exposed to cold water, and when I got home and played guitar, my hands were super dry, which made for great playing, in my experience. I’ve found that when my skin is really dry, my left hand just feels better on the strings and moving around the neck.

Thanks for the post!

Ignacio