Play-it\Clean-it or Play-it/Walk-away

[rickcard71]

It doesn't matter if it is worth $150 or $5000. When you are done for the night, do you wipe it down (clean it) or walk away and clean it when you feel like\get around to it? And, we are talking about guitars here!

I've always walked away and rarely cleaned it, just when I feel I have the time and I feel like taking the time to do it. In my mind I feel I should clean them at least once every 2 months.

Or, do you treat you cheaper ones different than your expensives guitars? I don't typically. I do in the beginning, when the expensive one is new, but they all get treated with care.

[elcid]

I might polish my guitars every couple of string changes, but I always wipe down the strings when Im done for the night

[guitar_chick]

Originally Posted by elcid

I might polish my guitars every couple of string changes, but I always wipe down the strings when Im done for the night

Does this make a big difference in how long the guitar maintains its integrity, Cid?

[guitar_chick]

Originally Posted by guitar_chick

Does this make a big difference in how long the guitar maintains its integrity, Cid?

I know I should do this more, but I don't. I do tried to keep my dripping KFC greasy fingers off until I wash me hands. Can body acid ruin the guitar with time?

[mi2tom]

Sadly never I'm the first to vote never

[TongueShredder]

I never clean my guitar. I have an image to uphold, afterall I am a rocker

[elcid]

Originally Posted by guitar_chick

Does this make a big difference in how long the guitar maintains its integrity, Cid?

Maybe it's because its not yet 6am, but I dont get what you are asking?

[supermau]

I'm inconsistant. If I've just changed the strings I'll have a tendency to wipe them down after play, but if they've been on for a while I'll just throw it in the case.

I think general cleaning is a good idea. Strings will last a little longer and gunk won't build up as fast when you wipe down after playing.

[Batchimp RG]

Dust gathering around the pickups and tremolo is best dealt with regularly as it is better and easier to maintain a clean guitar than to clean a dirty guitar.

Sometimes simply blowing hard into the trem/pickup cavity every now and then is good.

Regarding finger poo on the fretboard...there's no excuse for that!!!

[toneboy]

I always clean them before I put them away. I keep a bottle of Dunlop polish and a micro fiber polish cloth in every guitar case.

[ChopTart]

Originally Posted by elcid

I might polish my guitars every couple of string changes, but I always wipe down the strings when Im done for the night

I do this also. And to answer what I believe is guitarchick's question, it does do a significant amount of life-saving in terms of the strings. Any other part of the guitar, I'm not so sure.

[toneboy]

I just like how a clean guitar feels. It's like freshly washed sheets or new socks.

[Rotti]

I don't clean my guitars or wipe down the strings after I play them because, well I'm always playing them. But every couple of string changes I give them a major cleaning. Oil the fretboard, polish the frets, polish the guitar etc. The frets especially have to be smooth and shiney.

[Ayrton]

A gunked up finger board is just gross to me, and I end up with plenty of used guitars, so I always take them apart and thoroughly clean them. Once clean, I wash my hands before playing and then wipe down the guitar after.

[IbanezGirl]

Originally Posted by guitar_chick

I know I should do this more, but I don't. I do tried to keep my dripping KFC greasy fingers off until I wash me hands. Can body acid ruin the guitar with time?

It can depend on how much acidity you have in your sweat to how quickly it can affect the finish. If you want to keep your finish pristine you should give it a quick wipe down after each playing session. With polishing i do it monthly, although, sometimes it can sneak out to about 6 weeks.

Strings should be wiped down after each playing session. This will give you a longer string life.