Music How to clean a guitar?

[Second Summer]

I have an acoustic guitar that is starting to look quite dusty inside the sound hole. What is the best way to clean in there? Will I have to remove the strings?

I usually use q-tips with water to clean underneath the strings etc. but I can't really reach inside the sound hole.

 

[shyvas]

I would suggest using a vacuum cleaner on a slow speed.

 

[Amy SF]

Karl, unless somebody else comes up with some really good advice, I can always ask my sister what she does and report back here. She is a professional music performer and teacher and routinely uses an acoustic guitar. She's currently out of town and not really reachable by phone, but she'll be back Saturday night and I can always call her and ask her on Sunday.

 

[Blobbenstein]

stuff a rag in there and shake it about?

 

[Blobbenstein]

 

[Blobbenstein]

after a bit of that, maybe make the rag a bit damp.....

 

[Second Summer]

Thanks guys, I'll try the rag for now and see how it goes!

 

[Blobbenstein]

cleaning guitar after too much coffee...

 

[IamJen]

stuff a rag in there and shake it about?

You do the Hokey Pokey and you turn yourself around......
whew...I just had to get that out.

 

[beanstew]

I recently put new strings on my acoustic guitar so took the opportunity to give it a good clean inside and out. I still can't play it. I know 3 chords but can't change at the same time as strumming.

brb going to hang out looking like I might be up for some kind of Satanic deal at the crossroads.

 

[Blobbenstein]

I recently put new strings on my acoustic guitar so took the opportunity to give it a good clean inside and out. I still can't play it. I know 3 chords but can't change at the same time as strumming.

brb going to hang out looking like I might be up for some kind of Satanic deal at the crossroads.

look out for Satan's two for one offer....

 

[Amy SF]

You do the Hokey Pokey and you turn yourself around......
whew...I just had to get that out.

I'm glad somebody did.

 

[Amy SF]

My sister just called me from the airport in New York and I grabbed the opportunity to ask her. This is what she said:

1. She keeps her guitar in a case so it doesn't get dusty. Karl, if you don't have a case for your guitar, you should definitely get one.
2. She said a damp rag sounds okay, but you can also use the kind of gas compressor that you use to clean your computer keyboard, but she was concerned about the freon possibly causing damage. She also suggested setting a hair dryer on cool (not heat) and using that.
3. You might also stop into a guitar or musical instruments store and see what products they recommend for guitar maintenance.

 

[Dedalus]

I usually use q-tips with water to clean underneath the strings etc. but I can't really reach inside the sound hole.

I wouldn't use water to clean wood. Take off the strings and use a good furniture polish. I've never cleaned the dust out of an acoustic guitar, but if I had to, I would use a shop vac and blow it out rather than vacuum it out. Or use one of those compressed air thingys.

 

[Catherine1]

cleaning guitar after too much coffee...

hahaha very funy