Unlike your typical shop bought guitar, which is usually covered in polyester or two-pack paint, handmade guitars are more finely tuned and have a thinner, and less protective, finish. This gives them the character and amazing sound that we love. However it means they do need a little more care and attention. Follow our recommendations and if you need some more advice, contact us.
Humidity and temperature
Humidity and temperature are the two main culprits in destroying a solid timber guitar. Timber will always expand or contract depending on the humidity in the air. Our guitars are built in our workshop with relative humidity controlled at 45%.
This means you need to keep your guitar at a constant humidity between 40% and 60%. Prolonged exposure outside of this recommended range can result in damage to your guitar.
Use a humidifier and hygrometer to maintain a constant humidity in your guitar hard case. You will need to check on your guitar every one to two months, especially as the seasons change. Keeping your guitar in the case can slow down the climatic changes and allows you to have more control over the environment.
If the humidity is too low (under 40%) the top and sides of the guitar can crack and shrink and the nuts and saddles may become loose. Timber and metal also expand and contract at different rates, so the tuners may become loose and fret ends may protrude. When humidity is too high (above 60%) the opposite can happen. The guitar can puff out and expand which usually results in cracks in the binding and a high action. The neck can become back-bowed and cause string buzz.
Heat can quickly cause damage to your guitar. Leaving your guitar in a hot car or by a sunny window can cause your guitar to dry out in very little time. The high temperature can soften the glues, as well as damage your finish. This may lead to your guitar warping and even splitting which can be very hard to repair.
If you intend to leave your guitar on display, then be aware of the humidity and temperature in the room. Generally speaking, if you are comfortable in the room, your guitar will be too. But keep an eye on the humidity, if it’s less than 40% or higher than 60%, then it’s a good idea to put your guitar back in the case.
Let’s go over it again, just to re-cap:
- Keep your guitar in the hard case when you don’t intend to use it often
- Keep your guitar at a constant humidity between 40% and 60%
- Check on your guitar every four to eight weeks, especially over seasonal changes
- Do not leave your guitar, or the case:
- in a hot car
- next to a heater or heater vent
- near a hot sunny window
Cleaning
Although we use different finishes, they are all water resistant. Cleaning your guitar is really easy. Use a microfiber cloth and some warm water. You don’t want the cloth too wet, just damp, and then wipe over the guitar to remove smudges and fingerprints.
Strings
We recommend the heaviest string gauge for our guitars are 12 – 53.