I see this all the time with people before they become my students: Parents buy their kids a $500 guitar, and within months it’s leaning against the wall gathering dust. No case. Same strings from the day they bought it. Action so high the kid can barely press the frets down.
Then they wonder why their child isn’t practicing.
Adults do the same thing. They show up to their first lesson with guitars that haven’t been cleaned in years, strings that sound dead, intonation so far off that playing in tune is impossible.
Once you’re my student, you hear about these issues. Immediately. And repeatedly until you actually do something about it. But most people just don’t know what they don’t know.
Your guitar is an investment. Taking care of it isn’t complicated – but most people never learn to do it.
Here’s what actually matters.
Keep It In a Case
(Even If You Think You Don't Need To)
I know what you’re thinking: “But if it’s in the case, I won’t play it as much.”
Fair point. There’s a real trade-off here.
Guitars kept in cases stay in better condition longer. They’re protected from dust, temperature swings, and the inevitable knock from a vacuum cleaner or curious pet, or young child.
Guitars left on a stand or wall hanger get played more often because they’re visible and accessible.
Here’s my take: If you (or your child) are serious about playing regularly, a stand is fine – as long as you’re actually using it. But if the guitar sits untouched for days or weeks, get it in a case. At minimum, it protects your investment when you’re not using it.
One thing I see constantly: students showing up without cases at all. Guitar in hand, no protection. Then they’re surprised when the tuning pegs get knocked out of alignment or the finish gets dinged.
Get a case. Use it when you’re transporting the guitar, even if you keep it on a stand at home.
Humidity Matters More Than You Think
The ideal humidity for a guitar is 40-50%.
Too dry? The wood can crack. I’ve seen it happen – a beautiful guitar develops a split right down the top because it sat next to a heating duct all winter.
Too humid? The wood swells, the action gets impossibly high, and suddenly your guitar is unplayable.
If you’re keeping your guitar in a case, get a case humidifier. They’re cheap and simple.
If it’s on a stand, pay attention to where you’re storing it. Not near heating vents. Not in direct sunlight. Not in the basement where it’s damp.
Most people never think about this until it’s too late. Don’t be most people.
Clean Your Guitar (It Takes 30 Seconds)
After you play, wipe down the strings and body with a microfiber cloth. That’s it.
This one habit extends string life and keeps grime from building up on your fretboard and finish.
For deeper cleaning, use guitar-specific products. Not Windex. Not furniture polish. Guitar cleaner (I use Ernie Ball instrument polish and fretboard conditioner).
Spray it on the cloth, not the guitar. Wipe down the finish. Done.
If you have a rosewood or ebony fretboard, use fretboard conditioner occasionally to prevent it from drying out and cracking. Don’t use it on maple fretboards – they don’t need it.
In a pinch? Breathe heavily on the guitar’s finish and wipe it with a cloth. The moisture from your breath works surprisingly well to remove dust.
Change Your Strings
I see students come in with strings that are months old. Dead sounding. Covered in grime. Barely staying in tune.
Then they wonder why their guitar sounds bad.
Change your strings every 2-3 months if you’re playing regularly. If you’re gigging, many people change them before every show.
New strings stay in tune better if you stretch them properly when you install them. Put your thumb on the string (around the 12th fret) and gently pull upward on both sides along their length after installation, then retune. This helps them settle in.
And here’s a bonus: When you change strings, you can actually clean parts of the guitar you normally can’t reach – the fretboard, under the bridge, all the spots where grime builds up.
Most people wait way too long to change strings. Don’t be most people.
Get a Professional Setup At Least
Once a Year
Even if your guitar feels fine, get it professionally set up once a year.
A good setup includes:
- Adjusting action (string height)
- Correcting intonation (so the guitar stays in tune across all frets)
- Cleaning electronics
- Replacing strings
- Checking for any issues you might not notice
I personally trust Mike at Auburn Guitar in Newbury. He’s the guy I bring my guitars to, and he’s who I recommend to my students. He knows what he’s doing – so much so that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame just hired him to maintain their collection of famous instruments.
A professional setup makes your guitar play better. Period. It’s not optional maintenance – it’s essential.
Some people like to do setups themselves. If you know what you’re doing, fine. But most people don’t, and you can damage your guitar trying to adjust things you don’t understand.
Pay a professional. It’s worth it.
The Real Cost of Not Doing This
Here’s what happens when you don’t take care of your guitar:
The action gets too high. Pressing down strings becomes painful. Practice stops feeling fun.
Strings die. Your guitar sounds dull and lifeless. You blame the guitar instead of the strings.
Dust gets into electronics. Your knobs start crackling. You think something’s broken when it just needs cleaning.
The finish gets scratched. The fretboard dries out and cracks. What was a beautiful instrument becomes beat up and sad looking.
And the worst part? None of this happens overnight. It’s gradual. By the time you notice, you’ve been playing a subpar instrument for months.
The Bottom Line
Taking care of your guitar isn’t hard:
- Store it properly (case or stand, away from heat and humidity extremes)
- Wipe it down after playing
- Change strings every few months
- Get a professional setup once a year
That’s it. Four simple things that most people don’t do.
Your guitar is an investment. Treat it like one, and it’ll last a lifetime.
About The Author
Brian Fish is a professional guitarist who has been dedicated to helping other guitar players in Northeast Ohio pursue their musical dreams since 1994. He’s passionate about guiding others on their musical journey! He is the Guitar Playing Transformation Specialist, instructor, mentor, trainer, and coach at Guitar Lessons Geauga.
Brian has also created the fantastic rhythm course, “Ultimate Rhythm Mastery,” which is available at MusicTheoryForGuitar.com.
If you live in Geauga County / Northeast Ohio, Guitar Lessons Geauga can help you become the player you’ve always wanted to be. Click the button below to request your FREE no-obligation trial lesson
