Kid Guitars
Archive for the ‘Guitar Care’ Category
It’s bound to happen sooner or later. When a guitar sees regular use, it’s only a matter of time before a string becomes so tense that it snaps in two. A broken string isn’t cause for concern; in fact, it’s critical that kids learn how to change their strings independently at a young age so that they don’t just set the instrument aside in frustration. You’ll need a few tools before attempting to change the strings of a childrens guitar.
Grab a string winder, a damp cloth, a wire cutter and a large scrap of paper. Begin by loosening the sixth string of the guitar with the winder, and snap it off with the cutter as near to the tuning peg as possible. Throw out the old string and attach a new one by stringing it through the bridge hole. Then feed the string through toward the head of the guitar and through the hole in the tuning peg. Leave a bit of slack in the string and hold it in place as you turn the tuning peg to tighten it. Use a wire cutter to trim the excess string off the end, then repeat these steps with the other five strings.
It’s only natural for kids to move quickly from one activity to another, so it’s up to parents to emphasize the importance of guitar care and maintenance. The electric guitar is particularly susceptible to damage when the user is negligent, so it pays to keep close tabs on the instrument’s storage and treatment when not in use. Hard shell cases are adept at protecting childrens electric guitars from scratches, bumps and punctures.
Guitar stands are often overlooked, but their benefits are quite obvious upon closer inspection. While most kids and even adults simply lean their guitar against a wall or piece of furniture after playing, this practice can prove destructive. The guitar could easily tip over of its own volition or be knocked down by an errant foot or a passing pet. A stand keeps the guitar upright and secure – ready to be played whenever your child is ready to practice.
Kids don’t always treat their property with the respect and care it deserves, and who could blame them? When you’re a child, you’re too full of energy and enthusiasm to notice the fragility of objects such as musical instruments. It’s therefore important for parents to instill a modicum of respect for the child’s guitar. Since these instruments are generally pretty serious investments, they should be cared for in the proper way.
A hard-shell kids guitar case represents the best way to protect the instrument from potential damage. A few drops and dents won’t make much difference to the musical integrity of the instrument, but those minor problems can really add up over time. They are particularly helpful during car trips and plane rides, when it’s no longer practical to keep a guitar out of its case.
Last year, I bought my son a guitar for his birthday. He loved the gift, but like most kids he had no concept of a guitar’s delicate nature. When he was getting ready to take his guitar on a plane trip across the country, I noticed he had simply thrown the instrument into a camping backpack with total disregard. That’s when I clued him in on a few vital maintenance tips.
First and foremost, the strings should be removed anytime the guitar is taken on a long-distance trip. Otherwise the guitar can be put through unnecessary tension, bending at the neck with disastrous results. The instrument should always be stored in a clean, dry place – such as a children guitar case – when it’s not in use. Even the slightest bumps can nick the paint or even dent the body of the guitar, so you’ll need to find adequate protection.