Caring for your electric guitar
Electrics are forgiving, but they have hardware and electronics that need attention: pickups, pots, switches, bridges and jacks. A clean guitar with fresh strings stays in tune and sounds noticeably clearer.
Finish
Usually polyurethane (tough, glossy) or nitrocellulose on vintage-style models. Nitro is thinner and can react with some stand padding and polishes — use nitro-safe products.
Strings
Nickel-wound steel, commonly 9–42 or 10–46. Change every 1–3 months, or sooner if they feel gritty or won't hold tune.
Humidity
Less sensitive than acoustics, but big swings still move the neck. Expect to adjust relief slightly between seasons.
Your care routine
- 1
After every session
- Wipe strings top and underside with a dry cloth
- Wipe the neck back and body where your arm rests
- Put it on a stand or in its case — not leaning on an amp
- 2
Every string change
- Condition an unfinished rosewood or ebony fretboard (not maple)
- Polish the frets with fine fret-polishing cloth
- Check the output jack and strap buttons are tight
- 3
Every 3–6 months
- Check neck relief and adjust the truss rod in small turns
- Check action and intonation at the 12th fret
- Spray contact cleaner into scratchy pots and switches
- 4
Once a year
- Full professional setup, especially after a season change
How to change strings
- 01Loosen and remove one string at a time
- 02Thread through the bridge and pull up to the tuner
- 03Leave enough slack for 2–3 wraps on the post
- 04Wind neatly downward, stretch gently, retune
- 05Trim excess with a cutter, not by bending
Do
- Use nitro-safe stand padding on vintage-style finishes
- Loosen strings slightly before shipping or flying
- Keep a spare set of strings in your case
Don't
- Don't use household cleaners or furniture polish
- Don't oil a maple fretboard — it's usually finished
- Don't crank the truss rod more than a quarter-turn at once
Warning signs
Crackles when turning knobs
Dusty pots — contact cleaner usually fixes it
Signal cuts out when you move
Loose output jack or failing cable
Sharp notes up the neck
Intonation needs setting at the saddles
Build your care kit
Everything below is matched to electric guitars. Tap to add what you need.
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