Some people really love their instruments. Chris Black of England has been playing guitar since 1955, and has a long career in music. He bought his favorite Fender Stratocaster in 1963, and after being with it for several decades, he made headlines in 1995 when he married it (this marriage is, so far, not legally recognized by England).
Although you don’t need to marry your guitar in order to prove your devotion, there are certain steps you should follow in order to make sure you are taking proper care of your instrument. Here are three tips for choosing and taking care of your guitar.
1. Musical Instruments for Sale
Don’t just buy a guitar based on someone’s recommendation — make sure to go to a local store, and try out the various options for yourself. There are many great guitars out there, but there is no one “right” option for everyone. Your individual preferences, and future needs as a musician, should help you decide what the right option is for you. Some of the big names in the industry include Gretsch, Fender, Gibson,and Ibanez. Most of these manufacturers have good options for beginner guitars.
2. Temperature Control
A necessary investment for your guitar will be a decent guitar case. I’ve seen people hang their guitars on walls, and think that this is enough. A proper case is necessary for keeping your guitar away from temperature extremes. If you plan on playing at a venue and need to walk through snow and cold to get there, keep the guitar in the case until you are inside. Never leave your guitar in your car trunk — the heat extremes can easily warp the wood and sound.
3. Invest in Guitar Effect Pedals
Once you get comfortable with your guitar, you might want to start experimenting with sound, and this is where guitar effect pedals come in. Made for electric guitars, these devices can alter the sound, tone or pitch of your instrument. These pedals are what allow electric guitars to have their characteristic “wavy” notes, or tremolo. There are also pedals that can produce effects including looping, reverb, fuzz, overdrive distortion, and equalizer. If you know you want multiple effect options, guitar pedal kits can come with multiple pedals affixed to a pedalboard.
Do you take good care of your guitar? Have you experimented with guitar multi effects pedals? Let us know in the comments. Learn more.