leeson wrote:
Neil needs to put in a lesson on "how to care for your guitar".
Good idea. Until he does, I'd go to TaylorGuitars.com and watch their guitar-care videos. Very informative.
How often should I change the strings?
We can't possibly know how much you play, how often you wash your hands, or what kind of strings you're currently using. At one end of the continuum is a performer using uncoated strings who changes them every week. At the other end of the continuum is the person who plays a few minutes every day and uses coated strings, and will need to change them about every three months. Where are you on that continuum?
should I get a humidifier for the sound hole?
If the humidity where you keep your guitar falls below 45 percent or rises higher than about 50 percent humidity, then yes, I'd advise you to get a soundhole humidifier. I highly recommend the Planet Waves HumidPaks for a no-muss, no-fuss approach to humidity control.
Should I polish the neck?
The back of the neck, yes. The fret board, definitely not.
How to safely travel?
Go to YouTube and do a search on United Breaks Guitars for the answer to that question. I bought a special travel-sized guitar that I can take onboard when I fly. The last thing I'm ever going to do is trust the apes who handle baggage to treat my Taylor with any respect. If you absolutely must check your guitar as baggage, and you value the life of the guitar, I'd consider getting one of the many bullet-proof flight cases made just to withstand such abuse.
Is change of temperature bad for the guitar?
Not really. Guitars are far more sensitive to humidity than to temperature. That doesn't mean I'd leave my guitar in the trunk of my car during the summer.
Should I mess with the truss rod?
Not unless you have a problem with the neck that can only be solved by a truss-rod adjustment and you know what the hell you're doing. Me, I'd probably screw it all up and end up paying double to undo the damage I've done.
How do I know if my guitar is warped?
If you're not experiencing a problem with the guitar, it's probably not warped. If you are, take it to a luthier and let her figure it out.
Are the strings too high, too low?
Did I miss something? Did you post a picture of your guitar somewhere along with the distance of the strings from the fretboard? But the answer depends on your playing style: someone who exclusively plays fingerstyle will want very low action for comfort and control; someone who exclusively thrashes the guitar with a pick (think Pete Townsend) will want high action to prevent string buzz.
Should I tune down before I leave my guitar for an extended period of time? (I hope that never happens)
Absolutely not necessary. Your guitar doesn't know whether it's being played or not, so it doesn't at all benefit from detuning. In fact, your guitar is built and set up for a specific amount of string tension. Don't muck with it.