Many guitar players only know how to play their instrument but there are times that they forget to clean and maintain their guitar’s appearance. It is essential to take good care of the guitar’s main parts; where the main components for creating tunes and sound are located. The frets and strings need to be maintained regularly to keep them from loosing their tune and form. Here are some tips on how to take good care of the guitar.
1. Polish and clean the fingerboard of the guitar at least every six months. A person may use a soft cloth and apply lemon oil on the bridge and the fingerboard of the guitar. This will keep them from drying out when they are not in use. Always handle the guitar with care when cleaning it.
2. It is important to adjust the truss rod when he changes the string gauge of the guitar. The strings tension may vary if there is a constant change of the climate. The tension tends to tighten if the weather is cold and if the climate is humid, the strings tend to loosen.
3. He may adjust the saddle by using a little piece of cardboard that will raise the strings vertically or he may remove the shims to lower its height.
4. When the guitar is transported, it is important that the strings be loosened. It is essential to pack the peg-head portion of the case with towel or a piece of clothing to protect the body of the guitar.
5. The frets should be polished or he may use a fret dressing that will remove any cloth or lint (from packing materials) remaining on the frets; this may vary with the type of cloth the owner uses to pack his guitar.
6. He needs to make sure to snug the tuners twice a year. Tuners tend to loosen automatically because they are made of wood or metal that creates contraction at different rates. He must be careful not to over tighten the knot to avoid any cracking on the peg-head.
7. He must remember not to carry the guitar with the luggage. There are airlines that allow a person to carry a guitar along with him on the plane. He should not forget to call before going to the airport to confirm that they will allow him to “carry on” his guitar.
Taking good care of the instrument is essential to maintain its features. A person must always realize that he should not only know how to play the instrument but should also know how to take good care of his guitar as well.
Guitars are the most common instruments played by many music lovers of all ages. Even kids can easily learn to play the guitar. Choosing the right guitar is very easy. There are many types of guitars that can go along with any kind of music. All a guitar player needs to do is identify the kind of music he prefers to know which type of guitar is best for him.
The following are the most common types of guitars.
Classical Guitars
Classical guitars are the father of all guitars. They have been used for many genres and all kinds of music. Classical guitars come with nylon strings which give the guitar a unique and colorful sound. The sizes of classical guitars have been standard for many years. Classical guitars that are of the finest quality are made with spruce or cedar tops. The guitar is able to produce various sounds even with the use of fingernails.
Electric Guitars
Electric guitars are the next most common guitar especially in the 20th century. Electric guitars are known as the main attraction of rock music. These guitars have been famous since rock music was introduced and blend very well with jazz, pop and even blues music. The main difference between other guitars and electric guitars is that they are played with amplifiers because they are unable to produce sound without amplification.
Steel Guitars
Steel guitars acquired their name because they are literally made of steel. These types of guitars are played horizontally. A guitar player may place the guitar across his knees or legs or on a stand. The pedal steels of these guitars are the ones responsible for their unique sounds.
Bass Guitars
Bass guitars are similar to electric guitars. However, there are also variations in these guitars such as the acoustic bass guitars. Although bass guitars fall under the family of guitars, the sounds they produce are very distinctive and separate from any other guitar. The reason is that bass guitars usually have four strings unlike standard guitars that have six to twelve strings.
Many other guitars may be found on the market. There are also the archtop guitars, twelve strings guitars, solid body guitars and the resonator guitars. All these types of guitars produce different kinds of music that can satisfy the taste of many music lovers. All a person has to do is identify his taste for music to be able to decide which guitar is perfect for him and his music.