• Registered: 2008-03-14
  • Posts: 60

Topic: Cleaning and changing strings

Hi all.
I believe.. no, I KNOW it's time to change the strings on my guitar.. I just KNOW it can sound better. I have never changed them. I have the guitar for over a year, and have been playing daily for about 5 months.

Plus, although there is no dirt on the guitar, it looks like the frets could use a little polishing.

Help! I read that you shouldn't remove all the strings at once.  But how can I give the guitar a proper cleaning if the strings are there?  And what should I use to polish it, without putting oils and stuff on it?

I'm thisclose to bringing it to a shop, but I really want to learn how to do this myself. Can anyone suggest a link to a video? 

Thanks,
anastasia

  • From: Madeira Beach, Florida
  • Registered: 2007-12-05
  • Posts: 3,312

Re: Cleaning and changing strings

Here you go anastasia, there are vids on this link for both acoustic and electric:

http://www.justinguitar.com/en/TB-000-TheBasics.php

Rule No. 1 - If it sounds good - it is good!
  • From: Minnesota
  • Registered: 2007-10-20
  • Posts: 114

Re: Cleaning and changing strings

Here's a link for you http://www.justinguitar.com/en/TB-004-C … oustic.php

I usually take all the strings off at once, polish, and replace. I'm pretty sure your neck won't warp in the 15 minutes the strings are off. There was a thread about this in this forum somewhere but I'm having difficulty finding it. I think the consensus was that it doesn't hurt to pull all the strings off at once. As far as polish goes, avoid cleaners/polishers with silicone in them. I've been using "Preservation Polish" that Stewart-MacDonald sells. www.stewmac.com

Hope this helps...BTW I usually replace my strings every month and I use Elixers. New strings make my guitar and fingertips happy!

"Do or do not, there is no try." Yoda
  • From: Minnesota
  • Registered: 2007-10-20
  • Posts: 114

Re: Cleaning and changing strings

Dang you TD! You beat me to Justin's video! I must need to type faster...:)

"Do or do not, there is no try." Yoda