Your guitar has been with you on the road, by the campfire, in hazy clubs, and rowdy parties. It’s been with you through thick and thin and could withstand just about anything, right?
That’s what you think right up until the day you notice that first crack in the body or a slightly warped neck.
Without musical instrument insurance, repairs for this type of damage can cost hundreds, but the real cost lies in the fact that your guitar may never have the same sound again.
Show the rock gods you care by looking after your guitar and taking the necessary precautions. The advice in this list will help your axe stay clean, sound great, and age like lilac wine.
How to Keep Your Guitar Looking New while Sounding Gnarly
Some Like It Hot
Your guitar doesn’t. It’s not too keen on the cold either.
Taking your guitar into the elements may be a classic motif inspired by some of rock’s greatest names, but the truth is that your guitar doesn’t like being too hot or cold. Too much heat can lead to fading and cracking, while too much cold can cause neck damage and wreak havoc on inlays. Keep your guitar in a cool, dry place to make sure it stays in optimum condition.
Out To Dry
Speaking of cool and dry, one of the best ways to keep your guitar fresh is to make sure it doesn’t end up in a humid place.
I know what you’re thinking:
“Don’t worry. I love my guitar! When I’m not playing, it’s always safe in its case!”
Unfortunately, the inside of a guitar case is one of the easiest places for your guitar to be damaged by humidity. Buy a guitar case dehumidifier and change it regularly to prevent disastrous effects of expansion and contraction that humidity can cause.
Take Musical Instrument Insurance
Musical equipment insurance may not be something that you even thought existed, but if you care about your guitar (and your wallet), it’s something that you should consider. A damaged guitar could lead to hundreds in repairs. If those repairs don’t go as planned, you could end up with more expenses and a guitar that just doesn’t sound the same. Protect yourself and your guitar with musical instrument insurance that guarantees skilled repairs at an affordable price.
Doctor, Doctor
You haul yourself into the doctor every year or so for a checkup, and as your guitar probably works just as hard as you do, it needs a tune-up too. Take your axe to a local professional to get it looked over once a year. You’d be surprised how the littlest things can change and affect its sound. You might not notice a loose screw or a slightly tarnished bridge, but a pro will. These things need to be taken care of right away to prevent them turning into bigger problems.
All It Needs Is Love
What’s the best way to keep your guitar sounding great and feeling like new?
Just play. Every day.
Don’t let your guitar stagnate and accumulate cobwebs or it’ll work about as well as a car left for years in a garage. Playing your guitar every day is the best way to keep it from staying too long in a place that’s too dry or humid. It’s also the best way to keep it from accumulating dust. The list goes on, but we know you don’t need an excuse for your daily jam session!
Guitars are known to age with grace and style, but only if properly looked after. Follow these tips and yours will grow and develop with you for decades to come.
Source: ArticleCube
