Guitar Maintenance Essentials

Storing your guitar in a hard case with proper humidity control preserves its wood and prevents warping. Room temperature around 21°C (70°F) is ideal. Avoid hanging guitars near heat sources or in direct sunlight.

Wood expands and contracts with humidity changes. Guitars thrive at 45-55% relative humidity. Use humidifiers or dehumidifiers to stabilize the environment, especially during extreme seasons.

A clean fretboard improves playability. Use a soft cloth with fretboard-specific oils to remove grime. Lemon oil is popular, but only on rosewood or ebony, never on maple fretboards.

Strings should be changed regularly, every 3 months or 100 playing hours. Fresh strings retain tonal quality and reduce fret wear. Wipe them down after each use to prolong their life.

The bridge and saddle affect intonation and action. Keep them clean and check for wear. Bone saddles can be lubricated with graphite from a soft pencil to enhance string movement.

For electric guitars, dust and grime in the electronics can cause noise. Use a contact cleaner to clean potentiometers and output jacks without leaving residue.

Truss rod adjustments correct neck relief. This delicate task can vastly improve playability but should be done carefully or by a professional to avoid damaging the neck.