(Part 2) Best guitar cleaning & care products according to redditors

I have this setup in both my acoustic guitar cases. Used them for a few years with no problems.

Oasis Case Humidifier/Hygrometer

For a little extra humidity they also make a plus version of the humidifier.

Oasis Case Plus+ I'm sure you could find it in a package deal with the hygrometer as well.

Lol. I used Music Nomad body wax and Proline fretboard conditioner

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003TLSN74/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_IUEMBb53DYJ7A

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017O8FW3K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_aWEMBbDP43YN1

Nice cover but please for the love of metal get some of these

;-)

Maybe something like [this luthier kit] (https://www.amazon.com/Guitar-Luthier-Tools-Stainless-Winder/dp/B00XVN3Z5K) , might be worth finding out if he does his own setups, this might be a good thing to have if he doesn't have one already.

This kind of clip on tuner is also a great investment and it makes it way easier to tune without plugging into anything. Beyond that, maybe an effects pedal, but you'd have to know pretty specific information about his guitar playing in order to make the right choice, and if he has 20 guitars, he probably also already has what he needs.

My last suggestion would be something like this [guitar cleaning kit] (https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Acoustic-Electric-Guitar-Care/dp/B0149DGPLQ/ref=sr_1_6?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1491938781&sr=1-6&refinements=p_36%3A1253547011)

Not sure about lacquer but this stuff works great on scratches as long as they aren't too deep.

https://www.amazon.com/Players-Guitar-Scratch-Remover-Eternashine/dp/B008NRF8R2

I used it on a strat that had been inadvertently sanded and it came out with a mirror finish.

Absolutely, even better is that they fit inside your guitar. Here's one example:

D'Addario Acoustic Guitar Humidifier Pro https://www.amazon.com/dp/B013WW8AUE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_J2lUDbHJVZPZZ

Start wiping better. Brown stains on your g-string is bad. They ladies will think you have poor hygiene. Hehe.

I used to use fast fret but recently switched to music nomad string cleaner, much better product plus the applicator does all the strings at once. Its refillable too.

Music Nomad MN109 String Fuel Cleaner and Lubricant https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EKPMRWA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_7uj6CbMQM2ZTE

> No humidity control, no.

I use these and they work quite well. Throw two in your case and change them out when they dry out.

I've had one of my guitars for a year and a half, and the other one for a little over a year. They both have rosewood fretboards. I haven't done any sort of cleaning to them in that time, short of a little wipedown when I change strings. Looking into getting some fretboard cleaner for the next time I do a string change.


Is there anything wrong with this cleaning kit? Is there something else (on Amazon preferably) that would be better suited?


How often should the frets be polished if I do get this kit? Is there any sort of negative consequences to doing it, say, every time I change the strings?

The Music Nomad Octopus is a great little tool that I've kept in my gig bag ever since I got one.

It's got 5 different sized sockets that you're likely to find on a guitar: 10mm 12mm 14mm 1/2" and 7/16". There's an extra 1/2" socket that's good for getting at those recessed output jacks on telecasters, and a phillips and flathead screwdriver.

Mine has saved the day at a number of gigs already and I've only had it for a month.

https://www.amazon.com/Music-Nomad-MN124-FRINE-Polishing/dp/B01MZ01UYR/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1539048751&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=Music+nomad+fret+polish

There's some products that use high capacity material sponges that maintain their humidity for several weeks. You put one in the sound hole and another one in the front of the case. Just use Distilled Water you get at the supermarket for $1.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DKAQGTG/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_55?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A288K1LN6Q00EF

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00VMB7E0U/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_53?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A27FCCJJNGGG0A

Secondly, you need an accurate hygrometer. The cheap ones are inaccurate.

The greatest one is the Daddario Bluetooth Hygromter. It connects to your smartphone bluetooth and sends alerts toy your phone if the humidity gets away from the parameters you PROGRAM in the smartphone app. This hygrometer is VERY accurate and the bluetooth works great. They did a recent firmware update that clears all the issues some people complained about last year. With the update, it's a total 5* product and the battery lasts a year. The bluetooth is strong enough to go thru one floor. You don't have to open the case to check the temps as your phone will tell you as you're sitting on the sofa. I have 3 of them and it's worth the convenience/price.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Humiditrak

Aside off the combo products I mentioned above, you can also get a this model that has a high capacity sponge and a built in hygrometer. The thing is that you have to OPEN the case (thereby letting the humidity out of the case) to check the humidity. AND you'll still need a Music Nomad Humitar sponge (listed above) for the front of the case though if you want to humidify properly.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/OH30

All in all, it's a good idea to humidify in dry Winters as that's when the problems start with acoustics. These new sponge technologies listed above are fantastic. They don't drip and hold humidity for a real long time and with that Daddario bluetooth wraning hygrometer system, you'll always KNOW what's going on inside your case. Done and done!

Here's a list of basics that I bought recently to give you an idea:

Feeler Gauges

Hex Key Wrench Set

String Action Gauge

String Winder

Contact Cleaner for Electronics

Neck Rest

I already have various sized screw drivers, but if I didn't that would be on the list as well.

The above would be enough to do a basic setup: adjust truss rod, adjust action, get into the guts and clean the electronics. Everything will fit in a beat up old shoe box haha.

Along with YouTube videos, this book is a good reference guide. It has everything from basic repair and maintenance information all the way to repairing a broken neck or trying to repair a messed up truss rod.

Some people just have sweaty hands. There is no diet that's going to change that. Washing you hands before practice is good advice. However, interrupting practice because hands gets sweaty is completely ludicrous to me. Interrupting the flow of practice for what purpose? I hope it's not for the longevity of strings.

Things like this, or this, or even this exist because some guitarist will have hands that is so sweaty that one practice session will be enough to leave gunk on the strings.

Go with Virtuoso. It's safe on all finishes, and everyone I know loves it.

https://www.amazon.com/Virtuoso-Premium-Instrument-Polish-Cleaner/dp/B0088Q50BM

I use Gorgomyte. It cleans, polishes, and conditions your fret board at the same time!

Using name brands to accentuate the point. You can buy any brand.

Guitar body cleaner

[Polishing cloth](https://www.amazon.com/Fender-Premium-Plush-
Microfiber-Polishing/dp/B00B4MPPZS/ref=pd_bxgy_267_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00B4MPPZS&pd_rd_r=S2VTTD40XYMTGHAQ7ZDS&pd_rd_w=fI7uZ&pd_rd_wg=OOOIM&psc=1&refRID=S2VTTD40XYMTGHAQ7ZDS)

For the fretboard

For starters, never use steel wool and/or oil of any kind. Instead, you can buy so-called "fret erasers", or buy some +1000 grit sand paper to do the job. You can either tape off the fretboard prior to do the job, leaving the frets exposed, or use a reusable metal fretboard guard, which is just a small piece of thin metal with a slit in it for the fret to protrude through. You could even make one using thick poster board and covering it with thick tape for a bit of protection. Here are some links to what you'll need.

http://www.amazon.com/Rosette-Guitar-Polishing-Utimate-Cleaning/dp/B00BNVHCYM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1462364497&sr=8-1&keywords=fret+polishing+kit

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Micro-Mesh-Guitar-Fret-Polishing-Kit-9-Grades-MicroMesh-and-2-Protector-Strips-/331568080453?hash=item4d32ff6645:g:nL0AAOSwKrhVZ14G

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fret-Polishing-Rubber-Erasers-1000-Grit-Set-of-2-/121493304912?hash=item1c4990b650:g:4RAAAOSwofxUbmg2
http://www.amazon.com/Fingerboard-Guards-Set-of-2/dp/B00BLQ0EKI/ref=pd_sim_267_1?ie=UTF8&dpID=41M9XqUebLL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=12JHDBDT82JJVJA67Q7G

http://www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools/Tools_by_Job/Tools_for_Fretting/Polishing_and_abrasives/Fret_Erasers.html

http://www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools/Tools_by_Job/Tools_for_Necks_and_Fingerboards/StewMac_Fingerboard_Guards.html