Guitar Care Tips From the Experts

Today we would like to discuss one of the several critical skills for a guitar player - the ability to correctly store your instrument so that it has served faithfully for decades.

How correctly to store a guitar?

The most of a guitar is a tree, which like any other natural material is very sensitive to the influence of the external environment. We have often seen how newcomers and even experienced musicians, because of the lack of basic knowledge of the rules for storing the guitar, brought their instruments to a terrible state and had to pay much money for repairs after that. Today we will tell you how not to make such mistakes.

To begin with, imagine a classic situation: you have one or two instruments at home, on which you do not play every day. And you put one of your Gibson Guitars on the floor, leaning it on the couch, after which you open the balcony and air the apartment in a beautiful and warm autumn day. Naturally, your tool will react negatively to such a "load."

The impact of the environment on the guitar tree

The first thing that your guitar feels very strongly is the change in humidity. A bit of theory: in the production of guitars, especially expensive tools from venerable brands, wood is used, which for several years is dried in unusual conditions. Dryness of the rock has a powerful effect on the frequency characteristics - that is why this process stands out for a significant role and so much time. Read more in a separate article:

Drying wood for a guitar does the guitar tree sound better over the years?

When specific moisture values are reached, the tree goes to the molding and processing, from which the individual elements of the future guitar are made. When the Gibson Guitar is already assembled, lacquered and painted, it still retains the properties specified in the production- and deviations from the moisture indicators can be damaging to the guitar's timbre.

Effect of temperature drops on the guitar

Despite the relative constancy of the temperature in our houses and apartments, this factor should not be avoided. All of us sooner or later begin to "walk" their instrument: to rehearsal, to music school, to a picnic, a concert and so on. Each such "paddock" can have a sad effect on the guitar if you do not consider all the risk factors.

Is dust dangerous for guitars?

The answer is unequivocal - yes, the Gibson Acoustic needs to be protected from dust, because it is not as well protected from particles of dust and dirt, as all popular phones with a nibbled apple on the logo. This is especially true for acoustic instruments - the dust collects in the deck, gradually worsening the frequency characteristics of the tree, making the guitar sound more dull and lean. The process is rather slow, gradual and inconspicuous - but vacuuming your guitar for the first time in a few years will surprise you, how much more powerful it will sound.

Take the guitar carefully and carefully, without forgetting the following theses:

•  The ideal humidity for a guitar tree is 40-60%. Adjust it with a humidifier.

• The comfort temperature for wood as a whole is the same as the comfort temperature in a room for a person - 19 ... 25 ° C.

•  The guitar should not be exposed to direct sunlight, protect it from drafts and proximity to radiators.

• Wipe or vacuum the instrument at least once every six months.

•  Keep the guitar better on the wall bracket.