Proper Care of Your Guitar
This article will assist you in giving your guitar the best of care. The suggestions may also be a valuable aid to the owner of any guitar.
Humidity and Temperature
Your guitar is made of thin wood which is easily affected by temperature and humidity. High humidity will cause the wood expand and swell, vice versa. It always be good to keep the environment at 45-55 percent humidity and 22-25 degrees Celsius. A rapid change in temperature or exposure to cold can cause small cracks in the finish. Every guitarists should have at least one accurate hygrometer/thermometer at home and in the case. You can react immediately.
Cleaning the Finish
The best way to clean your guitar is with a warm, damp cloth. This will remove harmful chemicals. Because your guitar is normally coated in the highest grade finish and is sensitive, it is better to use a high quality polishing cloth. Many polishing liquid contain plastic, vinyl and leather straps which will mar the finish. Also, polishing products should be contain silicone that will harm the guitar finish.
Strings
After playing guitar, you should have the pracetice to clean the strings with a clean cloth. The string will last longer and sound is better. Different playing styles demand different types of strings, but your guitar came with strings that will normally give the best result. If you want your guitar to be more easier to play, you can use a lighter string sets, but you will probably need to adjust saddle and neck to prevent fret buzz. Elixir and D'addario are two most popular guitar string brands in the industry.
How to protect your Guitar while Traveling
If you are going to take guitar guitar on the road with you, you have to make an effort to protect it.
- CAR - Don't put your guitar in the trunk and just put it in the back seat! Trunks are heated nor ventilated so the temperatures can fluctuate wildly.
- AIR - To Provide enough protection to your guitar when you have a air travel. Don't believe that a hard case can provide enough protection! Loosening the strings and using a soft cotton packing material the guitar tight in its case. Please also remove your guitar straps.
Hosco Fret Guard is a good product to protect your guitar fretwire and fingerboard while travelling.
Reference: Martin Care & Feeding