How to Make Your Electric Guitar Play Great

A simple tune-up is often all that is needed

If you love to play the guitar, chances are that you always have your eye on a brand new one that you would just love to own. Sometimes buying a new guitar is simply out of budget, but the good news is that there are some things you can do to have your old guitar playing like a million bucks. Simple maintenance can do wonders for your old electric guitar in no time.

Things You'll Need

• Polishing cloth
• Damp cotton cloth
• Dish soap
• New strings
• Ruler
• Sandpaper

Instructions

1. Look over your guitar carefully. See if there is any dirt or dust that has accumulated, as this can hinder your guitar's potential. Wipe the entire guitar down with a soft cloth. Use either a polishing cloth designed for cleaning guitars or an old piece of cotton clothing. For more stubborn stains, dampen the cloth with warm water and add a drop of mild dishwashing soap.

2. Check carefully for any cracks in your guitar. Pay special attention when looking at the finish and the wood. Check for any loose binding as well. If you find anything that needs to be glued down or that requires major repair, it is best to take your guitar in for a professional repair.

3. Put a new set of strings on your guitar after it is all cleaned. The gauge of your guitar string can make a huge difference. Use a lighter string if you have been having difficulty with barre chords. If you want increased volume, you may want to try a medium string. Experiment with different strings to get the sound you are looking for.

4. Check your guitar to ensure the neck is aligned and straight. Pay attention to the twelfth fret. Ideally, you would like to see around 3/32-inch or 4/32-inch separating the top of the twelfth fret and the E string. Use a ruler to measure the height of the string in front of the bridge. Ideally, there should be 1/2-inch separating the top and the low E.

5. Inspect the height between the saddle and the nut if the guitar's neck. Lift the saddle out of the bridge so you can adjust the height. If it needs to be lowered, lightly sand the bottom with sandpaper. Keep checking the height so you don't take off too much.

References

• Acoustic Guitar: How to Make Your Guitar Play Better than Ever
• Frets: Checking Neck Angle