How NOT to damage your guitar

vic

We often hear about damage to guitars....broken necks, broken headstocks, worming/rash on the back, etc. And one or other time it happens or could happen to all players.

All these can be avoided if one takes just a bit of care. I can think of a few pointers....that's if you play regularly and not keep your axe under a bed ?

1. Use good quality straps and strap-locks
2. Put the guitar back in its case during a break or after practising at home
3. I always play in a shirt with no buttons
4. Cover the belt buckle or shift it sideways
5. Unplug the guitar from the amp when it's on a stand.....tripping over the lead will send your guitar to the floor.
6. Never use a case that's too big for the guitar
6. When travelling with the guitar in a case ensure that the neck and headstock is nicely wrapped in cloth. The shock of a fall could crack the neck....even inside a case

...there are more pointers I'm sure ?

Psean

Good pointers Vic. Some you don't always think of until it's too late...

Thanks

AlanRatcliffe

Pretty comprehensive already, but I'd add:

- Avoid jeans with rivets on the seams or play with an untucked T-shirt to cover them.
- Always wipe down bridge and pickup covers as well as your strings when you finish playing to keep the hardware finish intact

Reinhard

-Close a latch or 2 on the case when taking a break, otherwise you may end up picking the case up and have the guitar spill out (learned that the hard way).
-Watch out for low ceilings 8)
-If you clean your fretboard with steel wool, mask off the pickups so the filings to stick to the pups.
-Don't just put just any oil on the fretboard.
-Avoid polish with silicon in.

Psean

Yeah, jeans and belt buckles are my biggest problem. Much more aware of them when playing others' guitars though; don't mind the wear on my Strat and the poly finish can handle quite a beating. Some guitars just look much better with a pristine finish though.

Psean

Reinhard wrote: -Close a latch or 2 on the case when taking a break, otherwise you may end up picking the case up and have the guitar spill out (learned that the hard way).

Oh, and carry the case with the lid on the side nearest your body. That way if the latches do pop open, the lid stops against your leg instead of falling wide open.

AlanRatcliffe

Psean wrote:
Reinhard wrote: -Close a latch or 2 on the case when taking a break, otherwise you may end up picking the case up and have the guitar spill out (learned that the hard way).
Oh, and carry the case with the lid on the side nearest your body. That way if the latches do pop open, the lid stops against your leg instead of falling wide open.

I always carry with my index finger sticking down, covering the edge of the lid (also learned the hard way).

vic

Wow some more great pointers...thanks guys. I will summarize these later so that we have it all together.

Psean

Alan Ratcliffe wrote:
Psean wrote:
Reinhard wrote: -Close a latch or 2 on the case when taking a break, otherwise you may end up picking the case up and have the guitar spill out (learned that the hard way).
Oh, and carry the case with the lid on the side nearest your body. That way if the latches do pop open, the lid stops against your leg instead of falling wide open.
I always carry with my index finger sticking down, covering the edge of the lid (also learned the hard way).

Good one too.

vic

Then one can add...never leave your axe on the back seat of your car in summer....or even better....NEVER leave your axe on the back seat of your car no matter the temperature (for obvious reasons ? )

Chocklit_Thunda

Vic wrote: Then one can add...never leave your axe on the back seat of your car in summer....or even better....NEVER leave your axe on the back seat of your car no matter the temperature (for obvious reasons ? )

+1! I remember once my cousin had left his acoustic in the boot.... In Sun City.... In the hottest time of the year....
There was an awful screeching, ripping, snapping sound and for a second I thought someone was playing Yngwie ?
Turns out the glue had melted and the bridge had pulled completely off....

ThomasN

Alan Ratcliffe wrote: Oh, and carry the case with the lid on the side nearest your body. That way if the latches do pop open, the lid stops against your leg instead of falling wide open.
I always carry with my index finger sticking down, covering the edge of the lid (also learned the hard way).

stompie

Never attempt a guitar swing ?

el-guapo

Reinhard wrote:
-Watch out for low ceilings 8)

And ceiling fans... :-[

AlanRatcliffe

Vic wrote: Then one can add...never leave your axe on the back seat of your car in summer....or even better....NEVER leave your axe on the back seat of your car no matter the temperature (for obvious reasons ? )

+1000. Can't be stressed enough. And the boot on a hot day is 10 times worse.

kevjones

If you wear anything on your strumming wrist, wear a sweat band.

Kush

Good tips!

Malkav

Take the time to occasionally lubricate the moving parts on your guitar, a little lubrication on the knife edges of your trems can go a long way to keeping your bridge in tip top working order for longer.

vic

a Summary of what we have thus far.....not in any particular order of importance.

1. Use good quality straps and strap-locks
2. Put the guitar back in its case during a break or after practising at home clipping a few latches
3. Play in a shirt with no buttons
4. Cover the belt buckle or shift it sideways
5. Unplug the guitar from the amp when it's on a stand.....tripping over the lead will send your guitar to the floor.
6. Never use a case that's too big for the guitar
6. When travelling with the guitar in a case ensure that the neck and headstock is nicely wrapped in cloth. The shock of a fall could crack the neck....even inside a case
7. Carry the case with the lid on the side nearest your body. That way if the latches do pop open, the lid stops against your leg instead of falling wide open....and carry with index finger sticking down, covering the edge of the lid
8. NEVER leave your axe on the back seat or inside the boot of your car.... no matter the outside temperature
9. Watch out for low ceilings and ceiling fans
10.-If you clean your fretboard with steel wool, mask off the pickups so the filings don't stick to the pups.
11.Don't just put any oil on the fretboard. Check with your store or luthier first. NEVER use a water base cleaner on the fretboard.
12.Avoid polish with silicon in.
13.Take the time to occasionally lubricate the moving parts on your guitar, a little lubrication on the knife edges of your trems can go a long way to keeping your bridge in tip top working order for longer
14.Never attempt a guitar swing ?
15.Clean your guitar regularly using cotton cloths.