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Post subject: Hello and help
Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2017 9:58 am
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Joined: Fri Nov 17, 2017 9:54 am
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Hi. I am new here and new to guitar. I have an acoustic guitar that has sat around for years ignored. I am now playing and doing the Fender lesson app. I need to clean dust underneath the strings. Any tips? I know I can buy expensive "guitar cleaner" but I assume there is a DIY option.

Also, any tips for beginners would be appreciated. I have lots of questions too. Finally, my fingers are killing me.


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Post subject: Re: Hello and help
Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2017 12:19 am
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Joined: Thu Jan 29, 2009 7:13 pm
Posts: 19025
Location: Illinois, USA
Welcome to the Forum calcnation. My way is to wipe the guitar clean after every play with a cotton handkerchief use good ones if you can afford them.To clean under the strings use the same to wipe under the strings carefully. If there is build-up carefully clean when you change the strings. There are some Fender guitar cleaning items on this website that work very well for whenever you are ready to use them. Have fun playing your guitar.

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you can save the world with your guitar one love song at a time it's just better, more fun, easier with a fender solid body electric guitar or electric bass guitar.


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Post subject: Re: Hello and help
Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2017 3:18 pm
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Joined: Thu Jan 06, 2011 11:36 am
Posts: 1593
Location: Chorley, Lancs, UK
Hi calcnation, and welcome to the forum.

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Cheers
Steve


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Post subject: Re: Hello and help
Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2017 9:50 am
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Joined: Sat Mar 22, 2008 10:38 am
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Hi. calcnation. The fingers will likely hurt when you start to play, unless you do a lot of work with them on a regular basis. You’ll soon find it eases off somewhat more or less than others. The more you play the better it becomes, and if you don’t play for some time you may find the process starting all over again. You may also find the calluses peeling during the process. Be careful not to tear away too much at the dead skin on your fingers though. That can make things worse and, in my case, leave a divot (dip) in the fingertip. It will likely grow back in, which it has, but it will take some time and can add to the pain.

Some strings are more comfortable to the touch, but, as with everything, there are trade-offs with the sound, longevity, breakage, and, perhaps, shedding. I won’t go so far as to suggest any particular brand as that is a personal choice. For acoustic I am using Elixirs that the guitar came with. They work fine for the moment, are pretty easy on the fingers, but I’ll try others on this newer guitar when I do change. The tone will likely dictate even though the Elixirs are perfectly fine as they are.

Two other considerations to save your fingers and to reduce the pain are going to a smaller gauge string set if that works for you. Your choice. Another thing that works well for enjoying and playing the guitar is to change the action by having the acoustic setup by a tech with experience. This is typical for electrics, but acoustic setups are often overlooked and less considered. Lowering the strings will help ease the pain, but again, there are trade offs in some cases especially if you are a big bruiser that likes a little more challenge pressing the strings down. The setup is easy, but needs to be done correctly so as to not get buzz. It is totally worth it. (You can find lots of examples on YouTube).

Hope these tips help.

FSB

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