subject: Tips for Looking after Gibson Les Paul Guitars [print this page] Tips for Looking after Gibson Les Paul Guitars
There are certain maintenance tips that are associated with Gibson Les Paul guitars. These tips are generic because they touch many of the issues that guitar owners work with. Generally speaking you need to ensure that the guitar is kept clean. As you play, the guitar will be besieged by lotions, dead skin and soaps. There are tiny particles that might lodge themselves within the string or even the body. When your clothes are made, there are chemicals that are used and these could harm the Gibson Les Paul guitar. In particular you need to look out for potential damage to the Capo and straps. You should really wash your hands before playing. Once you have finished then you should wipe the instrument with a clean cloth.
Other maintenance tips for Gibson Les Paul guitars
Make sure that you are using the hard case. It is a preventative measure that ensures that your instrument is not damaged by physical movements. The manufacturer will normally give you a case that fits right in with the instrument that you are playing. There are certain reputable manufactures that might be able to give you a replacement. Remember that Gibson Les Paul guitars are quite exclusive and you might need to come up with significant sums of money if you have any intentions of replacing any part. The fitting has to be exceptional so that the instrument is not subjected to enormous pressure as you move about or play. The Gibson Les Paul guitars tend to come with latches and you are strongly advised to secure them as you work.
Humidity is a fact of life but you should ensure that it does not disrupt the function of your Gibson Les Paul guitar. If you can control the temperature within your music room then this is the ideal situation. Avoid playing in conditions that are considered to be inclement. Some players will purchase a hygrometer or thermometer to ensure that they are not making mistakes when they choose to play the instrument. The product manual will give you some hints on the right temperature for the instrument. The average Gibson Les Paul guitar will require a temperature of 68-77 degrees on the Fahrenheit scale. The humidity for the instrument has to lie between 45% and 55%. Dry air is not really idea so you should use a humidifier if you have it. Some guitars have a specialized humidifier which you can attach to the instrument. You need to ensure that it is in good working order and that you do not place too much moisture on the guitar.
You need to keep your Gibson Les Paul guitar within its case or else there will be a considerable risk of damage. You need to get into a habit of periodic maintenance. For example you should set up a schedule in conjunction with the specialists that know how to work on the instrument. In that way you can deal with problems before they escalate to an extent where they are beyond repair.
