Do you feel the need for a clean axe?
Do you feel the need for a clean axe?
Inspiring myself, (see here,) I gotta ask, how often/do you clean your axe(s)?
I mean, see this, for example:
That "V" is some sticker glue I moved around with my thumb-nail back in '92, there's some blood from a gig in '94 and watercolor paint my daughter did about '00.
I do wipe the strings off if I've sweat real hard, (but look at that fret-board!) if I remember, and have something to do it with.
And actually, I only change strings when one breaks ... I have a bass what's had the same strings since I bought it in '84.
I mean, see this, for example:
That "V" is some sticker glue I moved around with my thumb-nail back in '92, there's some blood from a gig in '94 and watercolor paint my daughter did about '00.
I do wipe the strings off if I've sweat real hard, (but look at that fret-board!) if I remember, and have something to do it with.
And actually, I only change strings when one breaks ... I have a bass what's had the same strings since I bought it in '84.
Last edited by vvv on Sat Jul 18, 2009 3:26 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- JGriffin
- zen recordist
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I do wipe down my guitars and try to keep them clean, especially when I'm changing strings. But I think a little road wear is unavoidable if you're a serious player.
As I'm starting to mess around with refinishing one of my guitars I'm seeing a lot of guys who are into "relic-ing" guitars, making a new paint job look like it's been played for 20 years. Putting deliberate dings in it, wearing off the paint in spots, dirtying up the pickups and knobs...I dunno, my thought is, if you want a guitar that looks like it's been played for twenty years, buy a guitar and play it for twenty years.
that G&L has absolutely got plenty of character, I'll say that.
As I'm starting to mess around with refinishing one of my guitars I'm seeing a lot of guys who are into "relic-ing" guitars, making a new paint job look like it's been played for 20 years. Putting deliberate dings in it, wearing off the paint in spots, dirtying up the pickups and knobs...I dunno, my thought is, if you want a guitar that looks like it's been played for twenty years, buy a guitar and play it for twenty years.
that G&L has absolutely got plenty of character, I'll say that.
"Jeweller, you've failed. Jeweller."
"Lots of people are nostalgic for analog. I suspect they're people who never had to work with it." ? Brian Eno
All the DWLB music is at http://dwlb.bandcamp.com/
"Lots of people are nostalgic for analog. I suspect they're people who never had to work with it." ? Brian Eno
All the DWLB music is at http://dwlb.bandcamp.com/
- johnnydove
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i've been noticing that too and the funny thing is if they saw an actual vintage guitar that was all beat up they probably wouldn't take a second look, especially if it was sitting right next to the exact same model in near mint condition. people are funny that way.dwlb wrote:As I'm starting to mess around with refinishing one of my guitars I'm seeing a lot of guys who are into "relic-ing" guitars, making a new paint job look like it's been played for 20 years. Putting deliberate dings in it, wearing off the paint in spots, dirtying up the pickups and knobs...
-johnny
I don't worry too much about cleaning my guitars. A little grunge/dings/scrapes/bruises just adds character to my Strats & Teles. If I were to spill beer on them, or something like that, then I would certainly clean them.
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If it's rock, I expect - no, demand - a dirty guitar. If I were doing an Eyes Wide Shut type of gig with a D'Angelico, I would want it to be clean.
As long as my frets are clean and my guitar doesn't stick to me, I'm good.
As long as my frets are clean and my guitar doesn't stick to me, I'm good.
"I have always tried to present myself as the type of person who enjoys watching dudes fight other dudes with iron claws."
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I change my strings pretty regularly, and I usually try to wipe down my necks and scrape the fret gunk off with the edge of a pick while I'm at it. But otherwise I don't do much cleaning. Although, I did just get a setup done on my Strat by someone who actually knew what they were doing, and I can hardly believe how much better the neck feels now that it's not covered in dry sweat.
- niccolo gallio
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- ott0bot
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Well my hands tend to sweat alot when I play, so I clean up my guitar as needed. Occasionally wiping down the strings an what not. But as long as there isn't any junk built up all over I'm usually ok with it. I do tend to clean the guitar body and fret board pretty thoroughly when changing strings. I'm a bit of a neat freak.
- mingus2112
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wow. . .i'm pretty serious about keeping my guitars in shape. besides liking my instruments to look their best, dirt has a way of finding its way to places you DON'T want it. Corroding frets, filthy pots, dry rot/cracking fingerboard. . .all of these things are just bad bad bad. This reminds me of the old debate about keeping your guitar in the proper environment (humidity/temperature). I had my old landlord give me his expensive archtop to repair and I refused it until he humidified the thing. Sure he's had it for 15 years and nothing's happened. . .but i'd go in there, adjust the neck, and watch the soundboard crack under pressure!!
Anyhow. . .dirt is another one of those things. I have a buddy who, when I met him, had a guitar that looked like he dropped it down an elevator shaft. . .but the frets and fingerboard were PRISTINE.
I guess it's another personal preference thing. . .but I just like my gear clean. I even wash my hands before I play. . .and yes. . .even gigs. . .even rock gigs!
-J
Anyhow. . .dirt is another one of those things. I have a buddy who, when I met him, had a guitar that looked like he dropped it down an elevator shaft. . .but the frets and fingerboard were PRISTINE.
I guess it's another personal preference thing. . .but I just like my gear clean. I even wash my hands before I play. . .and yes. . .even gigs. . .even rock gigs!
-J
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