GUITAR
TOP 5 REASONS WHY MAINTENANCE IS A NON-NEGOTIABLE FOR US GUITARISTS | Chris Rocha
Photo by Charles G on Unsplash
As worship guitarists , we ’ re called to serve God with excellence . I ’ ve always held that responsibility in very high regard . While our main focus is assisting in leading others in worship , it ’ s equally important to make sure that our instruments are in top condition .
Regular maintenance is very important for not only sound quality but for the playability and longevity of our guitars . In this article , we ’ ll explore the top 5 reasons why maintenance is a non negotiable for us guitarists .
REASON # 1 : PRESERVES TONE AND SOUND QUALITY A well-maintained guitar produces a richer , more resonant tone . When we neglect our guitars , dirt , grime , and old strings can dull the sound . Regular cleaning , string changing , and adjustments to the action ( string height ) and intonation ensure our guitars sound their best . As guitarists , we want our instruments to sound clear and vibrant , adding their full potential to the set .
REASON # 2 : PREVENTS COSTLY REPAIRS Neglecting our guitars can lead to costly repairs down the line . Cracked bridges , warped necks , and damaged electronics can result from poor maintenance . By staying on top of regular maintenance tasks , we can identify and address potential issues before they become major problems . This not only saves us money but also ensures our guitars are always ready for service . Think of it as similar with your vehicles . Sometimes leaving things that need maintenance unattended can cause bigger problems .
REASON # 3 : ENHANCES PLAYABILITY A well-maintained guitar is a joy to play . When our instruments are properly set up and adjusted , we can focus on playing with passion and precision . Regular maintenance tasks like fretboard cleaning , string stretching , and action adjustments ensure our guitars play smoothly and respond well to our touch . We want to be able to focus on leading others in worship , not struggling with a difficult-to-play instrument . Everytime I take a new guitar on tour , I have my luthier set it up . There ’ s nothing like playing a well calibrated instrument .
REASON # 4 : EXTENDS THE LIFE OF YOUR GUITAR Regular maintenance is essential for extending the life of our guitars . By keeping our instruments clean , storing them properly , and addressing any issues promptly , we can help prevent damage and wear . This not only saves us money in the long run but also ensures our guitars remain reliable and trustworthy companions for years to come .
REASON # 5 : REDUCES STRING BREAKAGE I remember playing in La Paz , Bolivia years
back . There were over 10,000 people worshiping God and having a blast . It was a cold night , and I was in the zone . In the middle of one of our songs I busted a string and that threw me off , completely . I had to go backstage and change my string out . It took me about 2 songs before I was up and running again . It was a very frustrating experience . I could ’ ve avoided that if I had shown up with fresh strings all set to go . At least I learned a hard lesson from that .
In conclusion , regular maintenance is essential for us guitarists who want to serve their churches and play concerts with excellence . By prioritizing maintenance , we can preserve tone and sound quality , prevent costly repairs , enhance playability , extend the life of our guitars , show respect for our instruments , and ultimately glorify God . I hope you can learn from some of my mistakes so that you don ’ t have to go through what I went through .
Sometimes getting your instrument maintained can be a sacrifice and a financial burden but it ’ s definitely worth it . Let ’ s make maintenance a priority , so we can focus on what matters most – leading others in worship and glorifying our Lord .
Chris Rocha Chris Rocha is an American Christian producer , guitarist , business owner and pioneer in the Spanish Christian music industry . He is a two time Dove Award winner , has worked on two Grammy award winning records and has produced or recorded guitars on 5 Grammy nominated albums .
64 December 2024 Subscribe for Free ...