Removing strings for cleaning

bmi_guy · Post by **bmi_guy** » Sat Feb 12, 2005 3:50 am

I've had all kinds of advice from friends, none of which are luthiers or guitar "mechanics". I'm a player but really don't know squat about truss rods, etc. Is it permissible to remove all the strings for a good cleaning / polishing or is this taboo? As you all know, it's a real hassle to try and keep polish off the strings when you get going and would be much easier with them removed. But... I don't want a nice looking guitar with neck and intonation problems that have to be fixed professionally. Then - who do I trust with my guitar to fix it....

bill_yantz · Post by **bill_yantz** » Sat Feb 12, 2005 4:48 am

Michael, I don't think its a problem to remove all the strings and give to give it a good cleaning. That way you have access to everything and its much easier than trying to work around the strings. I might do that once or twice a year. For general cleaning I leave the strings on and work the cloth under and through the strings on the body as needed. I change strings a lot so I clean the board as needed during that process. After cleaning and restringing, the neck should return to its position prior to taking the strings off as long as you put the same strings back on. If you change string gauge, the new tension might change the relief on the the neck. I encourage you to learn about adjusting your neck. It will be an advantage for you when you make string changes knowing you can adjust the neck as needed. Once you learn this adjustment then you will no doubt start looking at how you can improve string action by making adjustments with the bridge. Both neck relief and bridge height work together. If you adjust the neck, sometimes you might need to adjust the bridge to complement it.

Read the Ric manual or go to their web page for more information on how to adjust the dual rods and why they have two to begin with. I am sure you will get other postings here that will go into more detail about the process.

You can take your strings off and put them back on and I encourage you to learn how to and make neck adjustments on your own. You can do it, it will save you a lot of money and you will get more satisfaction out of your guitar, IMO..

doctorwho · Post by **doctorwho** » Sat Feb 12, 2005 1:34 pm

Michael, I routinely take the strings off guitars I buy when they are heavily "grungey" with day-to-day grime that requires serious cleaning, not just a wipe down with a cleaning cloth. I agree with Bill: learn how to make your own adjustments. I have taken a guitar to a luthier when something serious needed attention, but otherwise I have adjusted the necks and intonation on all of my guitars for 30+ years. And I am just a hobbyist musician.

bmi_guy · Post by **bmi_guy** » Tue Feb 15, 2005 5:18 am

Thanks Guys,
I've been a player for almost 40 years but have always ignored the mechanics of maintaining my guitar - I guess it's time for this old dog to learn a new trick!!

frankabq · Post by **frankabq** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 3:52 pm

I've had Luthiers tell me it doesn't hurt the guitar at all to tae all the strings off as long as you are putting on the same gauge strings afterwards and even then it has to be a big gauge difference. What I don't get is why remove the strings to clean them? Take an old cotton T-shirt and soak a spot with naptha(lighter fluid), loosen the strings a litte and grab each string with the T-shirts wetted naptha spot and clean each string. The naptha won't hurt your fretboard or finish if you wipe it dry afterwards. Try it. Naptha is also good for getting that gummy reisue of your guitar that tape leaves behind or price stickers. So feel free to tape your song list to the side of your guitar for playing gigs. Later.

adam_swapp · Post by **adam_swapp** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 4:25 pm

If you;re going to boil your strings, take them off the guitar first. Don't ask me how I learned this.

rickenbrother · Post by **rickenbrother** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 6:43 pm

Adam, how did you learn this ? LOL

bmi_guy · Post by **bmi_guy** » Thu Feb 17, 2005 3:56 am

Thanks Frank, I can see where my wording was a little off and I confused you, but I was speaking of taking the guitar to the 25 cent car wash and not the strings. I really don't fool with them - just change them very, very often. Mu concern was really with the truss rod and having to crank around on that.

frankabq · Post by **frankabq** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 7:44 pm

BMI Guy, you might want to read my post and then reply to somebody else about the car wash. When cranking on the truss rod do it 1/4 turn at a time then check the guitar before proceeding further. If you tightening it always back it off a little after each turn. Most necks have a 1/64th inch of a relief in the neck, meaning a forward bow. Sometimes changing the gauge of the strings can change the tension so you need to change the tention of the truss rod a little to compensate. I'm talking very small amounts here. Turn clockwise to tighten and counter clockwise to loosen and do them both the same amount. If the neck seem to slant from terble to bass then you might need to turn one of the trus rods more than the other. Check it with a long straight edge yard stick. I use an artists T-square. Good Luck.