Cracks In The Wood; Finish Checking; Neck Resets; General Maintenance - Guild 2014 Acoustic Guitar Owner's Manual

Cracks in the Wood

Cracks in the wood are typically
caused by changes in temperature
and humidity. Although initially
alarming, wood cracks are often
easily repaired and shouldn't
be cause for undue concern if
addressed promptly and properly.
If a crack appears on the top of the
guitar near the bridge, loosen the
strings to reduce tension (which can
exacerbate the problem) and have the
crack repaired as soon as possible by
qualified service personnel.

Finish Checking

"Finish checking" is a term that
refers to fine hairline cracks in an
instrument's finish that run in all
directions. It usually occurs in winter
and is often the result of a cold
instrument's sudden exposure to the
shock of warmer temperatures.
All the materials that make up a
guitar expand and contract with
changes in temperature and humidity.
Wood expands as it warms, and does
so faster than its finish. This is what
causes finish checking, and while it
doesn't affect an instrument's tone,
it does mar its appearance.
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Avoid finish checking by avoiding
sudden changes in temperature
and humidity. When bringing
an instrument indoors from cold
conditions, leave it in its case and
allow sufficient time for it to become
acclimated to a warmer temperature
before taking it out of the case.

Neck Resets

Strings exert tremendous tension
and pressure on the woods of an
acoustic guitar. Over the lifetime of
the instrument, in fact, a continuous
battle rages between string tension and
wood resistance. Over time and under
such pressure, the cellulose structure of
wood naturally compresses, which can
distort the pitch of the neck. Although
this is a natural result of an instrument
adhering to the laws of physics as it
ages, a neck reset is often necessary to
correct the problem. It's not a repair
you can or should do yourself—a neck
reset is a specialized procedure that
should only be performed by qualified
service personnel.

General Maintenance

One of the best ways to maintain
an instrument is to keep it clean.
After each use, clean a guitar by
wiping the fingerboard, strings
and other parts (tuners, pickguard,
etc.) with a soft, dry cloth.
For gloss finishes, use a non-silicone
based guitar polish (many are
available). For satin finishes, use only
a soft, dry polishing cloth. For hand-
rubbed finishes, use a soft, slightly
damp cloth followed by a dry cloth.
When not playing an instrument,
keep it tuned to pitch and in its case.
When storing the instrument for long
periods, however, slightly loosen (but
do not remove) the strings to relieve
full tension.
Rosewood and ebony fingerboards
can dry out and shrink with decreases
in their natural oils, leaving rough
and exposed fret ends on either side
of the fingerboard ("fret sprout").
It's a good idea to periodically re-
hydrate a dry fingerboard with raw
linseed oil, which can help preserve
its integrity and natural beauty. After
removing the strings, apply the oil
to a clean, lint-free cloth and rub it
into the wood. Let the oil soak in
before wiping away any excess.
Be careful when using guitar straps,
stands and wall hangers made with
vinyl, plastic, synthetic leather and
surgical rubber tubing, as these
materials can react adversely with
certain instrument finishes.
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