Gift Buying: Thinking Outside the Box
About Me
Gift Buying: Thinking Outside the Box

I know the frustration of trying to find a gift for somebody who seems to have everything. What finally helped me take the angst out of gift buying was starting to think outside the box. Since then, it seems to be easier to find something that my loved one will like, whatever the occasion. These days, I look in unusual places for gift ideas. Instead of retail shops, I see what is happening at local auction houses. I may look into getting my loved one something they've expressed an interest in recently, like taking guitar lessons. I may even surprise my friend with a visit from a chef who prepares a special meal just for him or her. If you have the gift buying blues, let me help. I'll provide some tips on how to get clues for wonderful presents that will delight and amaze your loved ones.

Tags
Categories

Gift Buying: Thinking Outside the Box

Protect Your Vintage Guitar During Weeks of Disuse

Peggy Lee

All guitars require a bit of attention before they are put away for a while, but a vintage guitar must absolutely be prepared properly to protect it from becoming damaged while you store it for weeks, months, or even years. So, what do you need to do to prepare your vintage guitar for some time of disuse?

Clean the Guitar

Each time your hands touch your guitar, dirt and oil is deposited onto the surface, and if you don't remove it, it can damage the finish or the hardware over time. Clean the guitar, paying special attention to the areas in which your hands have come into contact with it. Then oil the fingerboard and bridge. Condition anything made of wood. These steps will help protect the finish from damage that is caused by contaminants.

Store the Guitar in a Case

It is imperative that you store the guitar in a good hard-sided case. For the case to be completely effective it must seal well, support the neck, and fit the guitar perfectly so that it doesn't move around whenever the case is picked up and transported. Guitar cases do get damaged over the years. The hinges corrode and the locks and latches fail, but you can have the case repaired to bring it back to its original beauty.

Store the Guitar in the Right Climate

The climate in which you store the guitar will play a significant role in how well it holds up while it's being stored. If you store the guitar in an area that experiences several temperature changes throughout the year or has high humidity, the guitar will become damaged. Look for a place that maintains a steady temperature, is not in direct sunlight, and will not become damp in any way. If you don't have a place within your home to store the guitar, you can lease a small storage unit with climate control. This is where you can keep things that you want to be protected. When you store the guitar, make sure that it is not leaned against a wall or placed directly on a concrete floor. The concrete will allow moisture to soak up into the guitar case and damage the guitar.

If you need further assistance in learning how to care for your vintage guitar, talk with the salesperson. He or she is bound to know exactly what needs to be done to protect it for another 25 years.


Share