I know this is probably beyond a dumb question I’m overthinking, but any special considerations to take when cleaning a guitar?

Finally had a string pop on my main electric after like 10 years, figured I should just replace that whole set. And while they’re off, might as well give a nice touch up all around.

The basic obvious approach I have in mind is to use combos of paper towels, q-tips, warm soapy water, and isopropyl to remove any gunk I can see in any crevices, wipe down the surfaces, maybe polish any metal.

Any spots I might overlook? Do I need to be worried about water or alcohol coming in contact with the fretboard or any part of it?

  • BarneyPiccolo@lemmy.todayEnglish
    2·
    4 months ago

    I use Murphy’s Oil Soap, directly from the bottle, undiluted, on a t-shirt or towel, smear it all over, then wipe it off.

    It’s made for wood finishes, so it’s gentle, but it takes off all the dirt. I bought a nice acoustic once, and it must have been kept in a basement or a garage for years, because it had an oily film, with grit stuck all over it. I figured it would be all scratched up, but the Murphy’s cleaned it up easily, and revealed a perfect finish, not a mark on it.

    It’s good for reconditioning wood on fretboards and bridges, too.

    And it’s CHEAP.