Care & setup
Keep your guitar playing right.
Start with safe checks, understand what adjustments change, and know when to hand the guitar to a technician.
Guitar doctor
What's wrong with it?
Buzzing strings
Fix it yourselfMost likely causes
Action too low45%
Neck too straight (needs relief)30%
Uneven or worn fret25%
Try this, in order
- 1Check relief: hold string at 1st and last fret, look for a small gap at the 7th
- 2Raise bridge saddles a quarter turn at a time
- 3If buzz is on one fret only, it's likely a high fret
Humidity check
Wood breathes. Watch the air.
Drag to your room's humidity (a cheap hygrometer tells you). Solid-wood acoustics are the most sensitive.
Dry45–55% idealHumid
50%
Perfect zone
Your guitar is happy. Wood is stable, setup stays put.
Maintenance rhythm
A little, often.
1
After every session
- — Wipe strings and neck
- — Put it back in its case or on a stand away from heaters
2
Every month
- — Check tuning stability
- — Quick body polish
- — Tighten strap buttons & jack
3
Every string change
- — Clean and condition fretboard
- — Check action & relief
- — Check intonation
4
Every season
- — Adjust for humidity change
- — Full setup or tech visit once a year
- — Inspect frets for wear
Guides in this section
Go deeper.
Beginner · 8 min read
How to Change Guitar Strings
Remove one string at a time, wind the new one neatly, stretch it, and retune.
Intermediate · 6 min read
Fixing Fret Buzz
Fret buzz usually comes from low action, neck relief, or uneven frets.
Beginner · 5 min read
What Is Guitar Action?
Guitar action is the distance between the strings and the frets.