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 Guitar & Environment for Proper Care & Maintenance
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SillyLittleBoy |
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Joined: July 2013 Posts: 98 Location: Des Moines, Iowa | I've not always been kind to my guitars and rarely do anything more than maybe dust it once a year or so. I recently purchased a used 1867 Legend - Made in the USA in 2001 but looks brand new. So, obviously the previous owner was not only respectful of this guitar, but knowledgeable on best methods of care and keep. I've read about a few different cleaning and polishing solutions and/or cloths that OvationFans use and recommend, but I thought I might revisit the subject with this post and learn how I might best care and maintain my new guitar and perhaps revitalize my older ones. After doing a little research myself on what areas of my guitar need what kinds of treatments (cleaning, conditioning, and polishing) and also what cloth is best to use (microfiber polish cloths), I came across a very well reviewed "All-In-One" Kit that I was considering purchasing. Since I have great respect for the many Knowledgeable and Experienced OvationFans on this forum, I thought I'd see if reviews here match the ones on Amazon.com for this kit: Dunlop System 65 Guitar Maintenance Kit  Which includes Cream of Carnauba Wax, Polish & Cleaner, Fingerboard Cleaner & Prep (step 1), Fingerboard Deep Conditioner (step 2) premium wood oil, and a string cleaner/conditioner with 2-100% cotton polishing cloths and one Micro Fine Fret Polishing cloth. In addition to cleaning, conditioning, and polishing my guitar, I am acutely aware that acoustic guitars with their premium quality woods and Ovations especially with their unique rounded back materials require that they be kept, stored, and otherwise environmentally protected in the proper temperature and humidity. I said "acutely aware" because my vintage 35-year-old 1651 Legend LTD guitar was quite probably the victim of environmental abuse, because it has a crack in the soundboard or top wood that I'm sure could have been prevented (side note: the crack doesn't appear to affect the sound... much, since it may be reducing tonal quality but not creating any buzz or "cracked sound"). So, I don't want to take any chances with my new Legend model by allowing it to be environmentally abused. I've read on here about a few different techniques and equipment used that help with this end of guitar care and just needed some clarification and consensus on what works best. I've read about the "in the case" damp cloth in container home-made type, though I usually keep my guitars out and on stands, so I'm thinking maybe some kind of room humidifier would be best. It sounds like I really need a hygrometer? Is that like a thermometer but for humidity? Where can I get me one of those AND any suggestions on the best one(s)? And then finally, what is the optimum temperature and humidity level? How often should I check the temp and humidity? Any suggestions or techniques for managing sharp changes in temp and humidity, such as taking my guitar mobile in it's case while it's 30 below zero out and the humidity is like -50% and then subjecting it to a 70-80 degree temperature increase (or decrease) when going from inside to outside to inside? I hope I've not been TOO... TOO... by bringing all these questions and requests together in a single posting, but it truly is for a good cause - helping to save my second Legend series guitar from falling prey to the ignorant neglectfulness of my first child (Legend guitar). Also... If I'm ever going to be allowed to adopt any more children of Ovation (or Adamas) and keep the Departments of Human-Guitar Services or Social Guitar-Services from taking away the custody of my current guitar-children, then I desperately need the help, advice, and suggestions of you most excellently good parents, foster-parents, grand-parents, and care-givers of The House of Ovation. Please help me stop being just a.... SillyLittleBoy (Thanks!) | ||
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| SillyLittleBoy |
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Joined: July 2013 Posts: 98 Location: Des Moines, Iowa | If you'd like to see what can happen to a beautiful guitar that is neglected, then take a look at this... (I really don't know how much of this crack was started when I purchased the guitar used, but I do know that it didn't start with me because someone tried to patch/cover it with some kind of shellac or something - I've been researching methods for "fixing the crack" or at least patching it and preventing it from spreading and getting worse). There is a bit of warping of the top, too, but honestly the guitar still sounds pretty darned good. I just can't help but wonder how MUCH more amazing it would sound if it didn't have that crack....  Edited by SillyLittleBoy 2013-08-17 12:33 PM | ||
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| FlySig |
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Joined: October 2005 Posts: 4043 Location: Utah | |||
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| muzza |
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 Joined: August 2005 Posts: 3736 Location: Sunshine State, Australia | |||
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