How good is the camera work in this video!! You never notice it but you always see pertinent areas quickly and clearly. Well done to however filmed this.
As a physician, surgeon and luthier, I can tell you what to put on your guitar and what not to put on your guitar. When I finish working on a guitar for someone, one of the services I provide is to detail the body and fretboard. This is most easily accomplished with the strings off and with the following (to clean and refurbish the fretboard. I use something totally different for the finish of the guitar): 1. 0000 steel wool 2. Murphy's Wood Oil Soap 3. An old cotton towel 4. Pure Almond Oil 5. A clean cotton towel With warm water and the Murphy's Wood Oil Soap, you lightly scrub (with the grain) with the steel wool. You can use brass, as it is softer, but finding it in a 0000 gauge is nearly impossible. Doing this with the old towel underneath the neck will catch the drips. Doing about 5 frets at a time and then wiping off the crud with the old cotton towel, you work your way up the neck. You'll find that rinsing the steel wool often (several times a fret) will help extricate the dirt and oils from your fingers and really clean it off the wood. Once the entire neck is done, a finish by carefully taking the steel wool across the fret wires to polish them as well. If you've done a good job of getting the crud off the fretboard, it should look uniform and dull, without dark areas or light areas. If this isn't the case, throw out the Murphy's Wood Oil mixture, mix up a new batch and do the fretboard again. You'll be amazed and disgusted as how dark the water is as you pour it down the drain. Now, the good part. Take the clean cotton towel (or wash cloth) and put some Almond Oil on it. A little goes a long way. Go fret by fret, rubbing it in with the grain of the wood. By the time you get to the top of the neck, you'll have enough of it soak in that it is time to wipe off the excess. The neck will look as though it was new (maybe better). As Almond Oil is pure and a natural byproduct of processing almonds, it has no additives, no preservatives and is completely natural (unlike Lemon Oil, or Scott's Liquid Gold or other things which are petroleum based and will raise the grain of the wood and does more harm than good). Restring the guitar and you're ready to go. I'm a firm believer that absolutely nothing other than Almond Oil should be applied to the bare wood (fretboard and saddle) of a guitar or any fine wood.
Thanks for the information. Like everything these days, guitar world too is so full of weird myths that it is unreal. There are a lot of guitarists (with no knowledge of carpentry what so ever) who'd say: "No, you can't use boiled linseed oil or any other natural oil on fretboard! Only lemon oil works!". Yet many of the most highly regarded violins of today were made long before this mineral oil based "lemon oil" was ever invented.
Doc, I'm with you on the Murphy's oil soap and most of the other tips you give. I have a question though, My shoulder hurts when I raise my arm over my head and I go like this.... (sorry, I couldn't resist)
I heard that Almond Oil can turn rancid (as other oils like olive oil) and not be good for it. Now, I just read that in a couple places; but would love it if it's not true.
"I'm going to come up to the headstock and loosen the strings slowly"..... proceeds to put power tool to the machine heads at 600rpms. Sorry, just having fun at your expense. I liked the video.
Thanks so much! Really appreciated that you use general, affordable products that can be bought in bulk and that work effectively! My first time using 0000 steel wool on the fretboard itself (not only the frets) and boiled linseed oil to hydrate. It totally makes sense, as this is what's is commonly used in furniture making and in oiling wooden tool handles - so why not guitars? It's just timber after all. Thanks again!
Someone below mentioned "losers doing guitar maintenance with no credentials" - I dunno who this fellow is in the video, but I've been changing strings on guitars longer than he's been alive and MUCH longer than Taylor has been around. Many years ago I was taught ONE way to put new strings on, and I've been doing it the same way ever since, and there are MANY videos that show the way I do it. There are several things that Taylor does that I would NEVER do - including using the wire cutters to pull out the pins, and their system of wrapping the strings around the tuning pegs - NO! Also, I've watched several of the Taylor videos on this subject, and they always just throw the old strings away - they SHOULD be recycled appropriately. Get with the game people!
Thanks so much! This is very practical, easy to follow instructions. And if routinely followed, it will keep your guitar looking great. But so many people wait until they've got layers of crud on the fretboard, as well as on the various crevices of the guitar. So easy to MAINTAIN a guitar's finish, as opposed to trying to have to radically clean it after long periods of buildup, and what the oils in your hands and string corrosion particles do to it.
Using a set of diagonal cutters as a tool for grasping the bridge pins is risky with bone pins. They can easily scratch or crack the brittle bone. There are cheap (under $5) plastic pin pullers that are a lot safer to use. Or you can use some cloth around the jaws of the diagonal cutter to protect the pin from the sharp edges.
Couple things I would add, keep your bridge pins in order, especially on older guitars. I use lemon oil on my guitar neck, unless you have a guitar with no finish applied, you’re actually waxing the finish, any good furnish will work. Waxing will help keep from scratched
... I was expecting the steel wool fragments to be picked up with a magnet... magnetizing a screwdriver works well... thanks for sharing your expertise .... :)
Sir please ignore the idiots who are arm chair experts in guitar tech your videos are excellent and informative.keep up the good work and videos hope to see ya more often you are definitely pro guitar tech hands down! Thx
a couple of tips. I love playing guitar and I have been buying your strings for yrs along with deans. DO NOT WAX BEFORE YOU CLEAN. As you rub the wax on you're also rubbing dirt into the original finish. I work in the car res-toe biz. We never pull in a car for a pre show prep and clean and wax it first. We hit it with a HAIR DRYER on cold setting to blow off dust you cant see with the eye. Then we flow rinse it for a few mins per panel. Then we hit it with a soap cannon loaded with dawn dish liquid. we rise with a mist. Then we rewash with dawn and a microfibre with a new microfibre cloth. We rinse and then hit it with a buffer with a mirror glaze but with what was left in the pad from the previous job. If it looks show ready then we wax. If not we back up and go to a polish then then the mirror glaze. My boss use haul them in and wash them with the soap and a micro fiber. He would be adding scratches by not doing my first few steps and adding time in doing the job. I am on a pay scale (my doing) in what I am doing. Paid $45/hr for media blasting and detailing show cars. $42 for spraying a car and $37 for body work/sanding. $28 for cleaning the shop lol. I hate sand blasting but i will do it for 16 hours a day this time of yr because on paper Im paid $28 for my 50-60 hour week. The rest is cash and my pay stub shows a $28/hr salary...thats bonus money my wife don't know about an my gun collection is getting huge and as far as the wife is concerned my resto mod 74 corvette has only cost me (us) about $1800 yet lol. Damn woman found a few receipts i was careless with lol. Anyway I got long winded. Clean the fucking guitar before you rub dirt into it thinking you're just adding wax. If its a regular customer if you took pics you will notice in time ech time it comes in it looks more and more dull. Its dirt build up in the layers of wax.
What is the exact make & Model of your String Winder please? I'd love to purchase one ( same as yours ). Seems like it works great. I just bought a New 414ce-R Taylor, and I've been watching all of your Tips and Maintenance videos. Great information.
@@ElixirStringsMedia Oh Thanks. I'd appreciate that . . . if you can? (nothing critical though) Please don't go to any trouble. I have the Music Nomad Grip Winder (which I love) but yours would be a little faster. Stay Safe brother.
I went to school with Bob Taylor. When Bob retired, he and his partners sold the company to his employees. Bob made his first guitar in 8th grade wood shop. He won a state prize for a lamp he designed and built. Taylor Guitars owes its existence to high school shop classes and the lessons learned there. Taylor Guitars supported hundreds of families at their factories through employment in San Diego and Mexico. Tell that to your school boards when they tell you they need to cut out vocational education.
@@ElixirStringsMedia I have somewhere the class picture. The funny thing is that besides Bob, there is one other person in that class who made music history. Bob is a good guy and an excellent steward for the buisness he helped to build. Taylor Guitars should be a case study in business schools.
AFTER the tape was applied I'd wipe down the guitar, to remove any tape glue residue. Someone mentioned using only drafting tape instead of masking tape. This blue tape-from 3M, I believe-comes off very easily. I used it quite a bit when painting homes. It's not very sticky. But it still has glue on it. I'd also use a vacuum instead of a brush to remove those bits of metal after using XXXX steel wool, unless you have a shop like he has.
Thank you so much for the tip! I have been told by some others that against the grain is correct. I will tell them that quality Taylor guitars say different. Thanks again!
Those who have painted guitars, as I have done, know that boiled linseed oil hardens like varnish, the method he used is the least recommended if the guitar is going to be in places with hot climates or high humidity since boiled linseed oil starts to get sticky
Thank you! You taught me something I really needed to know. How to Tighten the String Peg. I've had two loose ones.. Not Anymore! Was surprised about Turtle Wax
Thanks for the video. You were careful to tape the sound hole for steel wool bits but now they are all over your workbench. Do you come back later with a magnet before you do the next guitar?
ive broken bridge pins pulling them. i have to put hand inside guitar and push them out. chops sticks make a great free fix in a pinch. i also broke a bass tunner from tightening it with out string tension. tunned it up and snap!🍻
I don't tie my strings either. Simply wrap them from top to bottom 2-3x around the post and they are just as secure as tied. Been playing since the 70s and wrapping around the posts is all that's required. They won't come loose, they wont affect intonation, they don't go out of tune, and it makes it easier to change strings. No negative effects whatsoever.
Thanks for taking the time to make such a nice and detailed video. Man, where was the internet 20 years ago! I would have had to ask some smirky kid in a GC to learn this. ;)
1. I totally liked, favorited this video and subscribed to your channel! 2. I got a question: does scrapping off the varnish of the sound board help improving sustain and volume?
Steel wool longitudinally does not clean next to frets. Oil with toothbrush cross wide does. I use teak oil. You can use boiled linseed. You can also use body lotion. Just wipe off excess.
R.Lee I like,LIQUID GOLD wood cleaner and preservation oil...with small piece of T-shirt cloth and work it into fretboard and bridge sparingly!.. Not expensive. Boiled linseed oil can get a crackly film when dry. It's a paint additive. Also very lightly clean the " gunk" build up on each side of fret use a sewing needle .I use an old air brush needle it's long and less likely to " dig in " do it very very LIGHTLY at an angle. .Also 3M makes a auto body " scratch" pad but get the GREY colored one...NOT THE RED. Use common sense light pressure. Its mainly used in prep work before clear coat on 2-3 stage paint jobs. Don't let the words SCUFF OR SCRATCH scare you..approach with a very light touch..u can cut a small square with scissors. Its the artisans version of a pot scrubber .but extremely fine..plus no steel wool floating around. Ciao Paolo
using f-1 by musicnomad is okay but be sure not get any water in there. Also, when using steel wool make sure it's a VERY VERY FINE steel wool, otherwise you can open up the little parellel crevice/minute cracks on the fretboard. Using the steel wool parellel might be better than perpendicular to the fretboard. otherwise just use the rougher side of the sponge if you have any doubts. I used steel wool and I'm seeing a light brown color appear certain areas of the frets which make me think that some dampness got in those cracks after using steel wool. Be VERY CAREFUL with older guitars in a high humidty enviroment when cleaning. (of course dry heat can affect an acoustic guitar also.
Great video.. One question. Do you use boiled linseed oil so the oil remains topical? I understand raw linseed oil penetrates through the wood. Other applications, levels and tool handles, they benefit from that, maintaining flexibility so as to avoid cracking, splitting etc.
I was just wondering if you have used boiled linseed oil from "Klean Strip" ? I'm not experienced at this and wanted to know if you can trust this brand? It doesn't say for guitar specifically so I was in a dilemma.
I do love elixir acoustic strings. Taking all the strings off is ok if it is a new guitar. If it is a vintage guitar, you need to be careful because some parts may not work as good as they used to(like the truss rod). You can snap a truss rod if it is stuck and then its a bit of a pain to fix. Sammy Bones #trussrod #elixir #acousticguitar #guitarstrings
Thanks Taylor/Elixer. I just re-strung my guitar. I always wondered how to get the right number of windings. The next tuner peg measurement worked great. partsimpson - I've never had an issue taking all the strings off a guitar or bass.
Watched a few of your videos, observed that your ways of doing “how to” on guitars are very effective, really useful on daily care of a guitar. Thanks and looking after to watching more of your videos.
@ElixirStringsMedia ok thanks.. i asked because i read somewhere that you need to clean the top of the guitar after every single use, but whit water they ment.. i think i will use water for every day and wax now and then..
Funny. That's exactly the side cutters I use on my identical Taylor. I put a bit of tape on the back side of the cutters. I suppose the debate on neck waxing will go on and on, but I find that it works beautifully on my Taylor, but not on my unfinished Hamer maple neck. The Hamer likes the 4000 steel wool, but that's it.
I never use anything other than Murphy's oil soap, diluted 3 to 1 with distilled water to clean and polish my guitars, even on the fret boards, plus a little Cape Cod metal polish for frets themselves. It's been working for 40 years and never fails to keep them clean and looking great.
@ElixirStringsMedia Oh I see.. Thanks for telling me this really help me a lot... From now onwards I will not let the oil sit, I have been doing that for a couple of months already, no wonder my strings always feel oily. Thanks a lot it really help me. :)
Remember he said "Boiled" linseed oil. There is a difference between raw and boiled. Boiled has drying agents, and DO NOT follow the suggestions on the bottle that say to let it set. I think that will make it gunky, which you definitely do not want!! Just lignt on a cotten or paper towel and then wipe it off with the clean side.
It's slow compared to snipping the strings with diagonal snips, which I have seen videos of (eek!). The sudden change in tension shocks the neck and other components.
I do everything of these proceedings but I prefer to do also one more buffing work on the frets but in their lenght because I don't like the scratching sound and feel when I bend the strings ;)
Wouldn't putting the masking tape over the sound hole damage the finish on the top of the guitar? Great video! I always used to tie my strings at the head...
@@ElixirStringsMedia Thanks, found that section on the Taylor website and for satin guitars they say, "These areas can be wiped down with a slightly damp cloth for cleaning. Avoid any wax or thicker polishes on satin finished areas as they will leave the finish looking splotchy. Our Taylor polish mentioned above is safe to use on satin finishes."
Looks like your cleaning a clean guitar. What if the guitar has had strings on it for years and the frets are tarnished and the fretboard dryed up? What you did wouldnt work. The strings were black where they hit the frets.
It's so funny that you have a real expert from Taylor giving great tips and advice because he really does know what he is doing and still the armchair guitar techs chime in with their "expert opinions" and pretty much arguing or discounting everything that he has done. There are so many amazing and knowledgeable people out there that know more than just about every expert on any topic. Now, if we could just coax them out of their Mom's basement, we could cure cancer and solve every problem ever imagined. Imagine a world where the problems were solved before they even happened because these folks are just that good! Damn! The problem with all of the advice that the armchair techs give is that there will be some young kid who gets their first guitar for Christmas or a birthday and then decides to not use the advice on the video and instead follow some other's idiotic suggestions and ruin their guitar. That said, if there are any kiddos reading this that are wondering which advice is the right one......take the advice given in the video. It's advice from a man who makes his living doing the work he is demonstrating on the video and doing it all in the shop of a company that makes some of the best guitars in the world. Don't take the advice from the guy/gal claiming to know more because one of their gas station co-workers told them that they learned it from Eric Clapton's guitar tech. And btw, awesome video! Thanks Rob!
I've played professionally for 50 years and have worked with dozens of accredited luthiers... this guy is a rookie at a big name company. You must be pretty stupid not to catch his novice errors.
This guy is a rookie?? Why he missed to tell us something.. Why don't you enlighten us with his novice errors, so we can all learn on that and how to avoid them in the future. Maybe one of your special tutorial video, serious, and tell us where he went wrong, how did you come up with conclusion that he is such beginner? You sad for all audit here that we are all stupid to not see his errors. But we don't have 50 years experience of cleaning guitar necks and changing strings..
Does taking off all the strings at the same time really affect the tension? Because I've actually taken off all the strings to clean and polish the guitar (electric by the way). When I restrung the guitar it didn't seem to affect the guitar. Thanks.
what can i use to clean the strings from the grease that deposits over time? the strings tend to get very mellow over time and i want to keep that bright metallic tone as much as possible
steel wool? over the neck so it rubs on the fretboard? Will it not leave scratches? I thought you were supposed to tape the fretboard between frets to protect the fingerboard? Am missing something?
Hi, I've heard that it's not a good thing to take all the strings off at once. I've heard that the neck can bend because it's not under tension from the strings. Is this true?
i got a taylor.. and a question.. how often i got to do this?? because of the wax i mean.. it's not bad for the guitar? wather alone is not the same? thanks! and excuse my english..
How good is the camera work in this video!! You never notice it but you always see pertinent areas quickly and clearly. Well done to however filmed this.
As a physician, surgeon and luthier, I can tell you what to put on your guitar and what not to put on your guitar. When I finish working on a guitar for someone, one of the services I provide is to detail the body and fretboard. This is most easily accomplished with the strings off and with the following (to clean and refurbish the fretboard. I use something totally different for the finish of the guitar):
1. 0000 steel wool
2. Murphy's Wood Oil Soap
3. An old cotton towel
4. Pure Almond Oil
5. A clean cotton towel
With warm water and the Murphy's Wood Oil Soap, you lightly scrub (with the grain) with the steel wool. You can use brass, as it is softer, but finding it in a 0000 gauge is nearly impossible. Doing this with the old towel underneath the neck will catch the drips. Doing about 5 frets at a time and then wiping off the crud with the old cotton towel, you work your way up the neck. You'll find that rinsing the steel wool often (several times a fret) will help extricate the dirt and oils from your fingers and really clean it off the wood. Once the entire neck is done, a finish by carefully taking the steel wool across the fret wires to polish them as well. If you've done a good job of getting the crud off the fretboard, it should look uniform and dull, without dark areas or light areas. If this isn't the case, throw out the Murphy's Wood Oil mixture, mix up a new batch and do the fretboard again. You'll be amazed and disgusted as how dark the water is as you pour it down the drain.
Now, the good part. Take the clean cotton towel (or wash cloth) and put some Almond Oil on it. A little goes a long way. Go fret by fret, rubbing it in with the grain of the wood. By the time you get to the top of the neck, you'll have enough of it soak in that it is time to wipe off the excess. The neck will look as though it was new (maybe better). As Almond Oil is pure and a natural byproduct of processing almonds, it has no additives, no preservatives and is completely natural (unlike Lemon Oil, or Scott's Liquid Gold or other things which are petroleum based and will raise the grain of the wood and does more harm than good). Restring the guitar and you're ready to go. I'm a firm believer that absolutely nothing other than Almond Oil should be applied to the bare wood (fretboard and saddle) of a guitar or any fine wood.
Thanks for the information. Like everything these days, guitar world too is so full of weird myths that it is unreal. There are a lot of guitarists (with no knowledge of carpentry what so ever) who'd say: "No, you can't use boiled linseed oil or any other natural oil on fretboard! Only lemon oil works!". Yet many of the most highly regarded violins of today were made long before this mineral oil based "lemon oil" was ever invented.
Doc, I'm with you on the Murphy's oil soap and most of the other tips you give.
I have a question though, My shoulder hurts when I raise my arm over my head and I go like this....
(sorry, I couldn't resist)
I heard that Almond Oil can turn rancid (as other oils like olive oil) and not be good for it. Now, I just read that in a couple places; but would love it if it's not true.
"I'm going to come up to the headstock and loosen the strings slowly"..... proceeds to put power tool to the machine heads at 600rpms. Sorry, just having fun at your expense. I liked the video.
Thanks so much! Really appreciated that you use general, affordable products that can be bought in bulk and that work effectively!
My first time using 0000 steel wool on the fretboard itself (not only the frets) and boiled linseed oil to hydrate. It totally makes sense, as this is what's is commonly used in furniture making and in oiling wooden tool handles - so why not guitars? It's just timber after all.
Thanks again!
first we're gonna remove the strings slowly with this high speed electric tuner unwinder.
That is funny
Also he did not alternate sides, guys a rookie.
I was just thinking the same thing hahaha
Yeah it’s hilarious
😂
Best guitar care video I have seen yet. I really appreciate it!
Thanks for sharing. With your suggestions, I believe even an old guitar would appreciate the attention! Thank you.
Someone below mentioned "losers doing guitar maintenance with no credentials" - I dunno who this fellow is in the video, but I've been changing strings on guitars longer than he's been alive and MUCH longer than Taylor has been around. Many years ago I was taught ONE way to put new strings on, and I've been doing it the same way ever since, and there are MANY videos that show the way I do it. There are several things that Taylor does that I would NEVER do - including using the wire cutters to pull out the pins, and their system of wrapping the strings around the tuning pegs - NO! Also, I've watched several of the Taylor videos on this subject, and they always just throw the old strings away - they SHOULD be recycled appropriately. Get with the game people!
It must be difficult to shake your fist in the air and type at the same time....
Quick, look at that cloud giving you shade.....Lol
Thanks so much! This is very practical, easy to follow instructions. And if routinely followed, it will keep your guitar looking great. But so many people wait until they've got layers of crud on the fretboard, as well as on the various crevices of the guitar. So easy to MAINTAIN a guitar's finish, as opposed to trying to have to radically clean it after long periods of buildup, and what the oils in your hands and string corrosion particles do to it.
Using a set of diagonal cutters as a tool for grasping the bridge pins is risky with bone pins. They can easily scratch or crack the brittle bone. There are cheap (under $5) plastic pin pullers that are a lot safer to use. Or you can use some cloth around the jaws of the diagonal cutter to protect the pin from the sharp edges.
At least he didn't use a claw-hammer to pull them out.
@@allennance949 But he did lever against the saddle.
John Shalamskas lucky that Taylor use ebony pins then eh
yep, this guy is a dick, i'd take my guitar to a car wash before letting him get his claws on one of mine.
@@HarryNicNicholas d-bag much?
Elixer strings are the best on the market for acoustic guitars, id love for you guys to make nylon strings too
So awesome...I think i want to work at Taylor Guitars now!
Couple things I would add, keep your bridge pins in order, especially on older guitars. I use lemon oil on my guitar neck, unless you have a guitar with no finish applied, you’re actually waxing the finish, any good furnish will work. Waxing will help keep from scratched
... I was expecting the steel wool fragments to be picked up with a magnet... magnetizing a screwdriver works well... thanks for sharing your expertise .... :)
Sir please ignore the idiots who are arm chair experts in guitar tech your videos are excellent and informative.keep up the good work and videos hope to see ya more often you are definitely pro guitar tech hands down! Thx
a couple of tips. I love playing guitar and I have been buying your strings for yrs along with deans. DO NOT WAX BEFORE YOU CLEAN. As you rub the wax on you're also rubbing dirt into the original finish. I work in the car res-toe biz. We never pull in a car for a pre show prep and clean and wax it first. We hit it with a HAIR DRYER on cold setting to blow off dust you cant see with the eye. Then we flow rinse it for a few mins per panel. Then we hit it with a soap cannon loaded with dawn dish liquid. we rise with a mist. Then we rewash with dawn and a microfibre with a new microfibre cloth. We rinse and then hit it with a buffer with a mirror glaze but with what was left in the pad from the previous job. If it looks show ready then we wax. If not we back up and go to a polish then then the mirror glaze.
My boss use haul them in and wash them with the soap and a micro fiber. He would be adding scratches by not doing my first few steps and adding time in doing the job.
I am on a pay scale (my doing) in what I am doing. Paid $45/hr for media blasting and detailing show cars. $42 for spraying a car and $37 for body work/sanding. $28 for cleaning the shop lol. I hate sand blasting but i will do it for 16 hours a day this time of yr because on paper Im paid $28 for my 50-60 hour week. The rest is cash and my pay stub shows a $28/hr salary...thats bonus money my wife don't know about an my gun collection is getting huge and as far as the wife is concerned my resto mod 74 corvette has only cost me (us) about $1800 yet lol. Damn woman found a few receipts i was careless with lol.
Anyway I got long winded. Clean the fucking guitar before you rub dirt into it thinking you're just adding wax. If its a regular customer if you took pics you will notice in time ech time it comes in it looks more and more dull. Its dirt build up in the layers of wax.
I lost interest as soon as you started telling us how much you make.....nobody cares
What's that got to do with the price of rice in China ?????????
Fantastic video - all simple but essential to keeping your guitar playing and looking great.
We're glad that you found it useful!
What is the exact make & Model of your String Winder please? I'd love to purchase one ( same as yours ). Seems like it works great. I just bought a New 414ce-R Taylor, and I've been watching all of your Tips and Maintenance videos. Great information.
@@ElixirStringsMedia Oh Thanks. I'd appreciate that . . . if you can? (nothing critical though) Please don't go to any trouble. I have the Music Nomad Grip Winder (which I love) but yours would be a little faster. Stay Safe brother.
I do it exactly using Lemon oil with my electric guitar ESP AX-50 LTD. Very nice work!
I went to school with Bob Taylor. When Bob retired, he and his partners sold the company to his employees. Bob made his first guitar in 8th grade wood shop. He won a state prize for a lamp he designed and built. Taylor Guitars owes its existence to high school shop classes and the lessons learned there. Taylor Guitars supported hundreds of families at their factories through employment in San Diego and Mexico. Tell that to your school boards when they tell you they need to cut out vocational education.
Thanks for watching, Rick. Bob is a great guy and has definitely made a huge impact on the music products industry!
@@ElixirStringsMedia I have somewhere the class picture. The funny thing is that besides Bob, there is one other person in that class who made music history. Bob is a good guy and an excellent steward for the buisness he helped to build. Taylor Guitars should be a case study in business schools.
AFTER the tape was applied I'd wipe down the guitar, to remove any tape glue residue.
Someone mentioned using only drafting tape instead of masking tape. This blue tape-from 3M, I believe-comes off very easily. I used it quite a bit when painting homes. It's not very sticky. But it still has glue on it.
I'd also use a vacuum instead of a brush to remove those bits of metal after using XXXX steel wool, unless you have a shop like he has.
Thank you so much for the tip! I have been told by some others that against the grain is correct. I will tell them that quality Taylor guitars say different. Thanks again!
Those who have painted guitars, as I have done, know that boiled linseed oil hardens like varnish, the method he used is the least recommended if the guitar is going to be in places with hot climates or high humidity since boiled linseed oil starts to get sticky
Thank you! You taught me something I really needed to know. How to Tighten the String Peg. I've had two loose ones.. Not Anymore! Was surprised about Turtle Wax
Thanks for the video. You were careful to tape the sound hole for steel wool bits but now they are all over your workbench. Do you come back later with a magnet before you do the next guitar?
ive broken bridge pins pulling them. i have to put hand inside guitar and push them out. chops sticks make a great free fix in a pinch. i also broke a bass tunner from tightening it with out string tension. tunned it up and snap!🍻
Could one use just some regular dishwashing soap thingy and water for cleaning the fretboard and back of the fretboard?
the new string sound lasts reaaaaaly long. these strings are awesome
Thank you. A better explanation than Martin on the Martin technique. It is better because of the visuals you had.
Best string brand so far
I there! Thanks for this great instructional videos! I have a question: Can I use a soft steel wool to clean my stratocaster maple freatboard? Thanks
I don't tie my strings either. Simply wrap them from top to bottom 2-3x around the post and they are just as secure as tied. Been playing since the 70s and wrapping around the posts is all that's required. They won't come loose, they wont affect intonation, they don't go out of tune, and it makes it easier to change strings. No negative effects whatsoever.
Thanks for taking the time to make such a nice and detailed video. Man, where was the internet 20 years ago! I would have had to ask some smirky kid in a GC to learn this. ;)
Fantastic. Very clear and informative. Thank you.
I believe that is painters tape and not masking tape. Painters tape leaves no reside behind where masking tape can.
1. I totally liked, favorited this video and subscribed to your channel!
2. I got a question: does scrapping off the varnish of the sound board help improving sustain and volume?
can you tighten the little screw on the side off the tuning nuts when the strings are on the guitar
I'm gonna loosen these slowly... REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.
🤣
Hello, very good information. I have a question, how do you clean the body of a matte taylor guitar?
Many thanks!
Hi Jorge, Rob is unable to respond to your question. We suggest that you contact Taylor directly for details on cleaning your guitar.
Steel wool longitudinally does not clean next to frets. Oil with toothbrush cross wide does. I use teak oil. You can use boiled linseed. You can also use body lotion. Just wipe off excess.
R.Lee
I like,LIQUID GOLD wood cleaner and preservation oil...with small piece of T-shirt cloth and work it into fretboard and bridge sparingly!.. Not expensive. Boiled linseed oil can get a crackly film when dry. It's a paint additive. Also very lightly clean the " gunk" build up on each side of fret use a sewing needle .I use an old air brush needle it's long and less likely to " dig in " do it very very LIGHTLY at an angle. .Also 3M makes a auto body " scratch" pad but get the GREY colored one...NOT THE RED. Use common sense light pressure. Its mainly used in prep work before clear coat on 2-3 stage paint jobs. Don't let the words SCUFF OR SCRATCH scare you..approach with a very light touch..u can cut a small square with scissors. Its the artisans version of a pot scrubber .but extremely fine..plus no steel wool floating around.
Ciao
Paolo
using f-1 by musicnomad is okay but be sure not get any water in there. Also, when using steel wool make sure it's a VERY VERY FINE steel wool, otherwise you can open up the little parellel crevice/minute cracks on the fretboard. Using the steel wool parellel might be better than perpendicular to the fretboard. otherwise just use the rougher side of the sponge if you have any doubts. I used steel wool and I'm seeing a light brown color appear certain areas of the frets which make me think that some dampness got in those cracks after using steel wool. Be VERY CAREFUL with older guitars in a high humidty enviroment when cleaning. (of course dry heat can affect an acoustic guitar also.
I want this guy taking care of my guitar! Pro job.
Great video.. One question. Do you use boiled linseed oil so the oil remains topical? I understand raw linseed oil penetrates through the wood. Other applications, levels and tool handles, they benefit from that, maintaining flexibility so as to avoid cracking, splitting etc.
I was just wondering if you have used boiled linseed oil from "Klean Strip" ? I'm not experienced at this and wanted to know if you can trust this brand? It doesn't say for guitar specifically so I was in a dilemma.
@@robinghimire826 I haven't any applications relative to guitars, only tools . Subsequently I only use raw. I'd defer to a higher source
Suggestion: I would ask John Carruthers at the M.I. Guitar Craft Academy or Stew Mac what he thinks is best for cleaning the neck. .
Linseed on Brazilian rosewood and miracle cloth on maple
Great tuition
Wow! Great tips!
I do love elixir acoustic strings. Taking all the strings off is ok if it is a new guitar. If it is a vintage guitar, you need to be careful because some parts may not work as good as they used to(like the truss rod). You can snap a truss rod if it is stuck and then its a bit of a pain to fix.
Sammy Bones
#trussrod #elixir #acousticguitar #guitarstrings
wow...this video is so nicely done!
Such a good vid I'm adding this to favourite 😍
Thanks, Max! We're glad that you found it useful.
@TheDime4life Depends on your taste. I love the Nanowebs.
Excellent Information
Thanks Taylor/Elixer. I just re-strung my guitar. I always wondered how to get the right number of windings. The next tuner peg measurement worked great.
partsimpson - I've never had an issue taking all the strings off a guitar or bass.
@ElixirStringsMedia thank you for the tips and everything!!
Watched a few of your videos, observed that your ways of doing “how to” on guitars are very effective, really useful on daily care of a guitar. Thanks and looking after to watching more of your videos.
what do i do if my frets that were silver are now brown/green-ish? does the steel wool clean that off?
@ElixirStringsMedia ok thanks.. i asked because i read somewhere that you need to clean the top of the guitar after every single use, but whit water they ment.. i think i will use water for every day and wax now and then..
@ElixirStringsMedia Thank You this helped me very much and answered all my questions!
Funny. That's exactly the side cutters I use on my identical Taylor. I put a bit of tape on the back side of the cutters. I suppose the debate on neck waxing will go on and on, but I find that it works beautifully on my Taylor, but not on my unfinished Hamer maple neck. The Hamer likes the 4000 steel wool, but that's it.
Wow, I learned a lot.
I never use anything other than Murphy's oil soap, diluted 3 to 1 with distilled water to clean and polish my guitars, even on the fret boards, plus a little Cape Cod metal polish for frets themselves.
It's been working for 40 years and never fails to keep them clean and looking great.
3 parts oil or 3 parts water?
@@taddyschmitt
3 parts water to 1 part Murphy's
Wow i need to try elixer
Thanks for all the tips. Did you use the Turtle Wax Polishing compound silicon free? Or what was it? Thank you!
He probably should have mentioned that you have to use low-tack masking tape on the soundhole, instead of just saying masking tape.
I was waiting for some rosette to rip
@ElixirStringsMedia Oh I see.. Thanks for telling me this really help me a lot... From now onwards I will not let the oil sit, I have been doing that for a couple of months already, no wonder my strings always feel oily. Thanks a lot it really help me. :)
Where did you find the steel sheep, rusting in a paddock.
I gave my grandma 2500 pounds of steel wool and she knitted a Volkswagen :)
Remember he said "Boiled" linseed oil. There is a difference between raw and boiled. Boiled has drying agents, and DO NOT follow the suggestions on the bottle that say to let it set. I think that will make it gunky, which you definitely do not want!! Just lignt on a cotten or paper towel and then wipe it off with the clean side.
By the way- A good Homer Formsby wood cleaner works damn well, followed up by a lemon/linseed oil on a "rosewood/non coated" fretboard...FYI!!!
"Im Going to loosen them slowly" BAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA
It's slow compared to snipping the strings with diagonal snips, which I have seen videos of (eek!). The sudden change in tension shocks the neck and other components.
I do everything of these proceedings but I prefer to do also one more buffing work on the frets but in their lenght because I don't like the scratching sound and feel when I bend the strings ;)
Wouldn't putting the masking tape over the sound hole damage the finish on the top of the guitar? Great video! I always used to tie my strings at the head...
What a great video. And man do I love Taylors.
What about the cleaner, and or sealer, for the body of natural taylor guitars like for example the Mahogony GS mini?
Hi, check with Taylor Guitars directly on what they recommend. Their website is full of great info. Thanks.
@@ElixirStringsMedia Thanks, found that section on the Taylor website and for satin guitars they say, "These areas can be wiped down with a slightly damp cloth for cleaning. Avoid any wax or thicker polishes on satin finished areas as they will leave the finish looking splotchy. Our Taylor polish mentioned above is safe to use on satin finishes."
Using rubbing compound will bring out any swirls in the clear coat.
Tons of Nice Tips! Thanks.
you used the same brush for steel wool on the fretboard on the soundhole over a magnetic pickup.
Is it possible to wax a guitar with a non-shiny finish?
so I have "Lemon Essential Oil" after-shave gel from the Art of Shaving...hahaha. would it be ok if I used that on my fretboard?
As long as you use a good moustache wax afterwards.
Afta
I'm thinking about using scotchbrite to clean the fingerboard due to use of too much fingerease, will it get the same effect??
Looks like your cleaning a clean guitar. What if the guitar has had strings on it for years and the frets are tarnished and the fretboard dryed up? What you did wouldnt work. The strings were black where they hit the frets.
It's so funny that you have a real expert from Taylor giving great tips and advice because he really does know what he is doing and still the armchair guitar techs chime in with their "expert opinions" and pretty much arguing or discounting everything that he has done. There are so many amazing and knowledgeable people out there that know more than just about every expert on any topic. Now, if we could just coax them out of their Mom's basement, we could cure cancer and solve every problem ever imagined. Imagine a world where the problems were solved before they even happened because these folks are just that good! Damn!
The problem with all of the advice that the armchair techs give is that there will be some young kid who gets their first guitar for Christmas or a birthday and then decides to not use the advice on the video and instead follow some other's idiotic suggestions and ruin their guitar. That said, if there are any kiddos reading this that are wondering which advice is the right one......take the advice given in the video. It's advice from a man who makes his living doing the work he is demonstrating on the video and doing it all in the shop of a company that makes some of the best guitars in the world. Don't take the advice from the guy/gal claiming to know more because one of their gas station co-workers told them that they learned it from Eric Clapton's guitar tech. And btw, awesome video! Thanks Rob!
Agreed!!
arachnoscience1 Well said sir!
I've played professionally for 50 years and have worked with dozens of accredited luthiers... this guy is a rookie at a big name company. You must be pretty stupid not to catch his novice errors.
This guy is a rookie?? Why he missed to tell us something.. Why don't you enlighten us with his novice errors, so we can all learn on that and how to avoid them in the future. Maybe one of your special tutorial video, serious, and tell us where he went wrong, how did you come up with conclusion that he is such beginner? You sad for all audit here that we are all stupid to not see his errors. But we don't have 50 years experience of cleaning guitar necks and changing strings..
Didn’t read your reply as it’s longer than the book of revelations! I’m sure it was as interesting though
Does taking off all the strings at the same time really affect the tension? Because I've actually taken off all the strings to clean and polish the guitar (electric by the way). When I restrung the guitar it didn't seem to affect the guitar. Thanks.
im tired when cleaning guitar most in unwind the strings. lol but u got that, whats the tool's name?
He makes it look simple
Just buy your guitars tuned.
And buy a lot of them.
The strings go on the outside.
bwhahah thanks you for making my day.
"Pro Tip: First step: Run all 6 strings backwards through tuner so the eyelet/ball ends at headstock. Finished? Good. ...Now what did you learn??"
HAHAHAHA!! The perfect solution. And if it goes out of tune take it back to the store.
Is here the spy guitar?
i was wondering whether i could use household furniture polish on my rosewood neck?
that last end about the tuner knob trick. however, what if you have gibson-style tulip knobs? where do you adjust?
what can i use to clean the strings from the grease that deposits over time? the strings tend to get very mellow over time and i want to keep that bright metallic tone as much as possible
steel wool? over the neck so it rubs on the fretboard? Will it not leave scratches? I thought you were supposed to tape the fretboard between frets to protect the fingerboard? Am missing something?
Can I also use fretboard cleaner on the back of the neck ?
Thanks
Great vid thanks!.. I followed and did all this yesterday, and playing nice.
Hi, I've heard that it's not a good thing to take all the strings off at once. I've heard that the neck can bend because it's not under tension from the strings. Is this true?
For a completely fret polish - mask the frets with painters tape and be more thorough with the steel wool.
Is that a special "broom" you are using to brush the guitar?
i got a taylor.. and a question.. how often i got to do this?? because of the wax i mean.. it's not bad for the guitar? wather alone is not the same? thanks! and excuse my english..
I wonder what they do with the used guitar strings
I believe the Mafia snap them up for behind-the drivers-seat murders...it's recycling I guess, but it's not great...
Didarrio gives player points for old stri gs
recycle
Hello, how do you maintain and clean an ebonol fretboard? What do you recommend?
Hi, we're unable to provide recommendations. We suggest that you contact a local trusted luthier. Thanks for watching.
Wow! even a blind and a deaf would understand you... were well, neat and clean.
My new Builder's Edition 614CE has a satin finish, would I still use the kind of car wax you did?
Very nice, thanks for the video
my guitar's fret board is made of the polish wodd tht is seen on the body of the guitar so should i wax it or just do what you did ?