Know Your Instrument
My friends, it's probably no surprise that I define myself an all-round music enthusiast. But moreover, the electric guitar has a special place in my heart. Charlie, my lovely husband, gifted me my first electric guitar on our second anniversary. It’s funny because he’s not much into music, but he knows how obsessed I am. Just guessing, he probably gets crazy hearing me play from time to time. But hey, we all have to make some sacrifices, right? Anyway, let's dive into some important stuff.
The moment I picked my first electric guitar, I became super excited. I thought it was relatively 'maintenance-free'. But folks, that's not the case. Our dear little music makers need some love and care. Like our Australian Shepherd, Max, or our Parakeet, Skye, they too need attention! So, let's start by knowing our instrument first. It's essential to understand the working mechanism of your electric guitar. Unlike an acoustic guitar, an electric guitar uses pickups that capture the vibrations of the strings and translate them into sound that you hear out of your amps. Each part of the guitar has its role in producing the unique sound. Therefore, understanding your instrument is a foundation to better maintenance.
The Importance of Regular Cleaning
Electric guitars are like homes. They require regular cleaning to keep them in a good state. Imagine if I didn't clean our house in Melbourne for a week, what a mess that would be! With two kids, Parke and Mabel, and our pets, things can get chaotic fast. Ditto for our electric guitars. Dust can settle quickly on your guitar and in the crevices. Not to mention, the grimy residue left by our fingers can also affect your strings and fretboard. Therefore, cleaning your guitar is like brushing your teeth, it should be part of your regular routine.
I suggest you invest in a good quality guitar polishing cloth, guitar cleaner, and some lemon oil for the fretboard. Take time to gently clean the body, the neck, and the strings. You'll be amazed at how a clean guitar can enhance playability, and yes, it definitely prevents potential damage in the long run. Remember to clean your fretboard specifically with lemon oil, it not only cleans but also conditions the wood.
All About Strings
There are many string theories that guitarists cling to, some fascinating, some purely bizarre. One theory I came across is, "You should never change all of your strings at once because it might stress the guitar’s neck." I burst into laughter when I heard that! Despite all these theories, changing strings is an inevitable part of guitar maintenance. Strings tend to go rusty, dirty and lose their original tone after a while, hence changing them periodically is important.
It's like re-soiling your favourite plant when needed. The plant will thrive in fresh soil, right? Similarly, a guitar with new strings will definitely sound much better. Another tip, always keep a spare set of strings to avoid unexpected breakage. Remember to stretch your new strings a bit. It helps in keeping them in tune.
Proper Storage and Care
Storing your guitar in a safe place contributes a lot to its longevity. I've learned from my mistakes. Recently, my unwavering commitment to perfect storage was partly due to an accident involving my furkid, Max. Max knocked my guitar off the stand accidentally when he was running around happily. Since then, I'm paying more attention to the storage of my guitar.
Regardless of how careful we try to be, accidents happen. Therefore, investing in a sturdy guitar stand or even better, a hard case, is essential. Trying to resist the environmental changes is also important. Too much heat, humidity, or cold can affect your guitar. So, keep it in a neutral environment as much as possible. And please, keep it away from children's or pets' access for apparent reasons.
Buzz and Hum: Troubleshooting Basic Electrical Problems
If there's one thing that can really get under a guitarist's skin, it's unwanted noise, like buzz and hum. Trust me, it can really drive you to the edge. Parke and Mabel know how grumpy I can get when my guitar starts making odd sounds. They say, 'Mommy needs her quiet time with the guitar.'
When your guitar starts sounding like a swarm of bees, it's time for some troubleshooting. Start by checking your guitar's ground connection first. Make sure the bridge, strings and the jack socket are correctly earthed. Moreover, single-coil pickups are known for hum and buzz, maybe consider crafting your sound around humbucker pickups instead.
Love Your Amp as You Love Your Guitar
Just like we put so much care into our guitars, our amps deserve the same love. Charlie has this saying for his cars, “The engine matters as much as the exterior”. Likewise, our amps are the engines of our sound. Remember to give your amp a good clean and keep it stored in an appropriate place when not in use.
Every amplifier has its charm and personality, just like our parakeet, Skye. Skye has her own unique chirps and melodies that add so much joy to our household. Similar to this, each amp has its own sound and character, and taking care of it is as important as taking care of your guitar. They should function harmoniously to create the perfect symphony.
So, there we go! You don't need a PhD in Guitar Care to keep your electric guitar in tip-top shape. A little bit of knowledge, care and regular attention will help your instrument sound its best for years to come. Happy strumming!
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