After you have a guitar of your own it is important to take care of it. The first thing to do for your guitar is to buy a case for it. This seems like such a silly piece of advice but your guitar is more fragile than you think and is easily dented and unless you live alone and plan to never take it anywhere there is a possibility that someone else will not be as easy with your guitar as you are.
They get knocked over on accident by children and pets and when they go
on a car ride to church or a friends house they can get scuffed.
Investing in a good case is the single most important thing you can do.
If it's an expensive instrument, hard shell cases provide the best protection. Hard shell cases usually cost over $100. If you have an inexpensive guitar, you should still at least get a guitar gig bag. This will make it easy to carry your guitar and protect it from dust and some dings.
Most guitars are made of wood and can handle being cleaned, but be sure the guitar cleaner you buy won't hurt the finish. Wood never appreciates being cleaned with water. If you have an electric pickup on your guitar make sure you take care not to get ruin the electronics with a cleaner.
If you do take your guitar somewhere remember not to leave it in your car. Your guitar strings are tightly tuned. The pull on them is what gives them their sound, but the pull on them puts strain on the neck of the guitar. When your guitar is left in the car it can become hot, or cold or if the weather is bad there will be excess moisture. All of these things can warp a guitar and make the neck bow badly.
If you are just starting out with your guitar remember that if you leave your guitar without playing it for a long period of time the strings may stretch and become out of tune or just sound dull when you pick it up to play it again. Keep new strings on hand and try different types. The different sizes will make a difference in sound (even if only to the player) and some are easier on the fingers if you are just starting out.
If you keep your strings wiped down after you get done playing to remove your finger grease and dirt build up it will increase the life of your guitar strings. When you change out one string remember to change them all out. They are a set and will never completely sound correct if you only change one at a time.
Direct sunlight can be damaging to a guitar, even if it has been stored in a cool place. If you see a guitar that has been on display in a window, you may want to think twice before you buy that one. The hot sunlight can damage and weaken the glued joints on a guitar, and it can change the finish on your guitar leaving yellow streaks. Try to avoid the direct sunlight if you are outside playing for long periods.
When you carry your guitar, remember that playing it is what makes you look cool. In promotional pictures of guitar players, you see them walking with the guitar on it's straps on their back upside down. The real problem with this is that the bottom peg was not meant to fight gravity, but to work with it. Your guitar may very well come crashing down onto the ground. Remember the best way to carry your guitar is going to be in it's case.
Most guitars are made of wood and can handle being cleaned, but be sure the guitar cleaner you buy won't hurt the finish. Wood never appreciates being cleaned with water. If you have an electric pickup on your guitar make sure you take care not to get ruin the electronics with a cleaner.
If you do take your guitar somewhere remember not to leave it in your car. Your guitar strings are tightly tuned. The pull on them is what gives them their sound, but the pull on them puts strain on the neck of the guitar. When your guitar is left in the car it can become hot, or cold or if the weather is bad there will be excess moisture. All of these things can warp a guitar and make the neck bow badly.
If you are just starting out with your guitar remember that if you leave your guitar without playing it for a long period of time the strings may stretch and become out of tune or just sound dull when you pick it up to play it again. Keep new strings on hand and try different types. The different sizes will make a difference in sound (even if only to the player) and some are easier on the fingers if you are just starting out.
If you keep your strings wiped down after you get done playing to remove your finger grease and dirt build up it will increase the life of your guitar strings. When you change out one string remember to change them all out. They are a set and will never completely sound correct if you only change one at a time.
Direct sunlight can be damaging to a guitar, even if it has been stored in a cool place. If you see a guitar that has been on display in a window, you may want to think twice before you buy that one. The hot sunlight can damage and weaken the glued joints on a guitar, and it can change the finish on your guitar leaving yellow streaks. Try to avoid the direct sunlight if you are outside playing for long periods.
When you carry your guitar, remember that playing it is what makes you look cool. In promotional pictures of guitar players, you see them walking with the guitar on it's straps on their back upside down. The real problem with this is that the bottom peg was not meant to fight gravity, but to work with it. Your guitar may very well come crashing down onto the ground. Remember the best way to carry your guitar is going to be in it's case.
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