Taylor Guitars Cleaning and Maintenance Techniques: Part 1 | ELIXIR Strings

[@tonydelprincipe7019]

"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.

[@vincentmattiola]

first we're gonna remove the strings slowly with this high speed electric tuner unwinder.

[@mindyrussell5326]

That is funny

[@BluesLicks101]

Also he did not alternate sides, guys a rookie.

[@aaronrowe4735]

I was just thinking the same thing hahaha

[@ianandy1234]

Yeah it’s hilarious

[@HeAhaBro]

😂

[@matmanx2]

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.

[@WillsATMOsphere]

"Im Going to loosen them slowly" BAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA

[@JohnShalamskas]

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.

[@wizardlywonder1336]

I'm gonna loosen these slowly... REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.

[@precisionbrown6829]

🤣

[@davidsecord6412]

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.

[@jussit3909]

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.

[@charlie-obrien]

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)

[@michael_caz_nyc]

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.

[@michael_caz_nyc]

@@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.

[@JohnShalamskas]

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.

[@allennance949]

At least he didn't use a claw-hammer to pull them out.

[@TinselKoala]

@@allennance949 But he did lever against the saddle.

[@stevematthews4214]

John Shalamskas lucky that Taylor use ebony pins then eh

[@HarryNicNicholas]

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.

[@juanvaldez5422]

@@HarryNicNicholas d-bag much?

[@fleadoggreen9062]

What about all the dust inside the sound hole ? Just a damp cloth? A can of air blaster? Anyone have any tips ?

[@MtnLiner]

Air compressor in the garage. Blow across the top of the sound hole, not directly into. It will make a howling sound and the dust will come flying out. A can o’ air works too. i wouldn’t use a damp cloth.

[@lebulkEnjoy]

I would prefer a nasty dirty guitar not a new one for a cleaning tutorial

[@misterchristopher8857]

What you cherish gives back more beautiful energy. Wood still has the energy of the trees. It's a way to enrich the instrument with loving and grateful energy.

[@armanzakwan1898]

What are you talking about? He meant they should've used a dirty guitar for the Demo instead of a new clean one.

[@lebulkEnjoy]

@@armanzakwan1898 thanks for that comment. i mean it was years ago and i dont even know the context of all of this

[@ressalg]

He probably should have mentioned that you have to use low-tack masking tape on the soundhole, instead of just saying masking tape.

[@travis8947]

I was waiting for some rosette to rip

[@nikomeyers2192]

Never use masking tape on any guitar. Always use Drafting Tape. Drafting tape is not very strong so you don't pull finish off of the guitar.

[@tipodearriba]

Painters tape, don't pull the finish, it does not get stuck as normal making tape

[@robertnewell5057]

Althought there is a lot of good info in this video, I would NEVER use steel wool or pullers. Leaves particles in the FB, gets in your pores, gets inhaled. White or gold scotchbrite pads avoid all this AND you don't have to tape over your newly polished guitar. Using pliers (which is what those 'pullers' are, really) to remove bridge pins is a disaster - scratches the pins, scratches the bridge. Far too aggressive. If you need to use pullers, either your pegs are too tight or your ball ends (sorry I can't think of another way to say this) are pulling up into the bridgeplate (bad) or just jammed tightly against it (OK). Once you've got all the strings off, just push each string down a quarter inch into the bridge and your pegs should be immediately loose enough to remove with light finger pressure.

[@mykylc]

I believe that is painters tape and not masking tape. Painters tape leaves no reside behind where masking tape can.

[@thegee-tahguy4877]

There's a lot of wrong going on here, mostly below.

[@inkey2]

LOL...cool.....i have been using turtle wax on guitars for ages. Glad to see someone else thinks it's a good idea as well

[@charlie-obrien]

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.

[@inkey2]

@@charlie-obrien I only use turtle wax in the solid body electric. It doesn't show fingerprints easily. I managed, and "service managed" a music ship for 33 years (starting in 1974). Everyone waiting for their meatball sub in the shop next door, covered with drywall, would come in all day wanting to play our electric guitars . They had absolutely no intention of buying. The turtle wax worked well for solid body electrics to keep the finger prints down. Just to show you how bad it was in that shop.....the same man would come in on Saturdays for 20+ years and play "a scale" on a classical guitar and then just leave.

[@scloy5358]

... I was expecting the steel wool fragments to be picked up with a magnet... magnetizing a screwdriver works well... thanks for sharing your expertise .... :)

[@robertlee8042]

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.

[@williequixote8073]

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

[@DemmyLost]

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.

[@meangreen4321]

Is it possible to wax a guitar with a non-shiny finish?

[@ericheine2414]

Just buy your guitars tuned. And buy a lot of them. The strings go on the outside.

[@HarryNicNicholas]

bwhahah thanks you for making my day.

[@jamesmoore5403]

"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??"

[@zuider77]

HAHAHAHA!! The perfect solution. And if it goes out of tune take it back to the store.

[@satriasamudra306]

Is here the spy guitar?

[@MultiParasite]

I prefer unloosing and removing the strings one at a time, that way all the tension doesn't go away so quick (which isn't good for the neck and the top).

[@conanthedestroyer7123]

What about the cleaner, and or sealer, for the body of natural taylor guitars like for example the Mahogony GS mini?

[@ElixirStringsMedia]

Hi, check with Taylor Guitars directly on what they recommend. Their website is full of great info. Thanks.

[@conanthedestroyer7123]

@@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."

[@jwesboy]

My question is show boat- What about perpendicular cleaning along the fret stays!!!! GUNK builds up in those areas... A fine pic does the job to scrape away all the debris...etc. I AM NOW QUESTIONING YOUR COMPETANCE!!! SORRY!!

[@nerdrage4852]

We not gonna damage the guitar... Lets his elbow rest on the guitarneck :'D 1:24

[@souloftheage]

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.

[@jkim519]

what do i do if my frets that were silver are now brown/green-ish? does the steel wool clean that off?

[@whitefalcon74]

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

[@JamesWalshBristolKids]

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. .

[@precisionbrown6829]

Linseed on Brazilian rosewood and miracle cloth on maple

[@ggmj7996]

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?

[@c.shearin5814]

As long as you use a good moustache wax afterwards.

[@travis8947]

Afta

[@mrspolc]

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!

[@chocobo2743]

quadruple what steel wool?sorry i didn't get that. did you mean 0000 steel wool?

[@madmartigan1634]

Quadruple aught. Aught means nothing/zero.

[@journeyquest1]

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.

[@rwillett651]

I saw a video that says to use the steel wool against the grain because it is more effective. Granted, this video looks more professional than that one did, but if against the grain is incorrect, why is that?

[@koyote2e511]

I agree, all these years later, about ignoring the armchair experts advice and listen to the man Whom works at 1 of the top guitar manufacturers in the world. But I also agree that even he had to of had a chuckle to himself as he said the words “remove the strings slowly” whilst using the electric winder

[@JamesWalshBristolKids]

Slowly is a relative term here

[@jeffbryan3224]

Everybody's a critic. But don't you put the pins back in the SAME holes? I tried out a brand new 900 series Taylor today c/w armrest. The tag said 6500 Canadian dollars and buddy YOU would NOT be touching it!

[@MrHeavysteel]

hi, can somebody answer me how should i clean a gold plated hardware (tuners, stop bar, tune o matic, pickup covers) on gibson les paul ? Please answer a.s.a.p. thanks in advance

[@richielakes]

@TheStratocaster12345 dude probably you just bought short elixir's they are pretty good strings and they should work fine on a fender plus you have a standard they should work even better

[@JakeKokinsMusic]

Elixer strings are the best on the market for acoustic guitars, id love for you guys to make nylon strings too

[@BuckSandos]

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.

[@HarryNicNicholas]

so you polish it, then stick tape on it...and you use car wax. i don't have a taylor.

[@TheStratocaster12345]

youalmost ruin my fender stratocaster watsup th strings are suposed to be good nd they suck.... do you know how mad i am ... you almost ruin my fender :(

[@666Kelso]

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.

[@TheStratocaster12345]

i am using this strings on my fender stratocaster and they are not that good while trying topull the strings... can someone help me

[@harryodum5598]

You know I use Elixir strings and I believe they are the best but I guess we all do things differently when it comes to changing strings. Don't you put the same pens back into the same holes at Taylor's? Every string has a different size at every slot gets used to the same size string so if you're using $40 pins so why wouldn't you put them back into the same holes so the string size you use wouldn't wear them out? just asking you a question. Not trying to be a smart-ass but just asking a simple question

[@timhunt2500]

Shouldn't you save the polish for last. Also bone pins are fragile, push them from inside out so they are not scared by the wire cutters you used. I have set up and cleaned 1000's of guitars,basses, violins, cellos in my 40 years and would never treat an instrument like this. No disrespect intended.

[@arachnoscience1]

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!

[@outtamilk]

Agreed!!

[@pneulancer]

arachnoscience1 Well said sir!

[@BluesLicks101]

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.

[@sorenjelik]

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..

[@ianandy1234]

Didn’t read your reply as it’s longer than the book of revelations! I’m sure it was as interesting though

[@drumgerry]

If you have a nitro finish please don't use blue painters tape in the way this guy does. You'd be safer laying a cloth or a towel over the soundhole. I'm assuming Taylors have some sort of UV cure poly lacquer which the tape won't rip off.

[@robinghimire826]

Can someone please tell me if they've ever used boiled linseed oil from "Klean Strip"? You know the one you can get at Walmart? Thank you.

[@adrianbramucci]

can you tighten the little screw on the side off the tuning nuts when the strings are on the guitar

[@stevenmulkey3572]

So awesome...I think i want to work at Taylor Guitars now!

[@Life-of-Bluegrass_Music]

Wax=dirt collector, sound killer. Martin recommends a damp wet cloth and no soap, or anything. I guess a Taylor it doesn't matter. Taylor has more metal ,nuts and bolts in them as a truck or car.

[@kurtinklern3262]

Im still unclear about: 1) the benefit of removing the strings the way you do, and 2) what the hell is "tying" string on, and who the hell does that?

[@BobJohnson-bx1vs]

You are really asking? "what the hell is "tying" string on,"

[@GuitaristfromHell100]

@TheDime4life Depends on your taste. I love the Nanowebs.

[@navaho5430]

Where did you find the steel sheep, rusting in a paddock.

[@yessure5291]

I gave my grandma 2500 pounds of steel wool and she knitted a Volkswagen :)

[@attybong]

this is not advisable if you have an undersaddle pickup like fishman matrix .. just my 2 cents

[@Xtremep00p]

Best guitar care video I have seen yet. I really appreciate it!

[@bonnivilleblackcherry9745]

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.

[@robertloggins8253]

I lost interest as soon as you started telling us how much you make.....nobody cares

[@rosssteuck4989]

What's that got to do with the price of rice in China ?????????

[@wildizer]

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?

[@mausmausmaus1]

Could one use just some regular dishwashing soap thingy and water for cleaning the fretboard and back of the fretboard?

[@sweetwilliam49]

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

[@delschier1419]

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?

[@richardfolkman]

Thanks for sharing. With your suggestions, I believe even an old guitar would appreciate the attention! Thank you.

[@mausmausmaus1]

Could one use just some regular dishwashing soap thingy and water for cleaning the fretboard and neck?

[@alanlescorbeau9224]

I Would never let this guy touch my acoustic guitar so many mistakes

[@edyflak]

Point them out

[@tedwade6322]

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!

[@charlie-obrien]

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

[@jwesboy]

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!!!

[@LeonAllanDavis]

Steel wool on the fretboard? Please! No! We're just trying to remove the build-up of grime attracted by human body oil...not refinish it... A mild solution of citrus-based cleaner is all that's needed....I use diluted Palmolive dish soap with a few drops of lemon oil... Tape off the neck and apply with a toothbrush - very sparingly...... Clean with distilled water on a cotton puff and dry thoroughly... Then seal with tung oil and buff..... And using a pair of wire cutters on the pins - why? ...they make special pin-puller tools...... I'd have a heart attack is I saw someone using a pair of sidecutters on my bone pins...

[@jwesboy]

DUDE!!!! Must go perpendicular with your oil/clean to the fret stays...otherwise cracks WILL appear by the frets stays!!!! NOT, just up and down the finger board!!!!

[@rob1016ny]

What would I use in place of the Turtle-wax for my GSmini? It’s the Rosewood body, Sitka top, all satin finished. Same fretboard oil throughout?

[@ElixirStringsMedia]

Hey Rob, here's a link to care & maintenance directly from Taylor Guitars website - www.taylorguitars.com/support/maintenance/properly-cleaning-your-guitar

[@thomaspaine6496]

Got a Taylor on loaner. Frets come loose and truss rod slips. The E string gets caught under the fret edges. Takes a few years to get to this stage.

[@tsryland]

Fix Chris's headstock so he can again know the pleasure of replacing his strings!

[@FC-kx7vy]

I love watching professionals do stuff right. There's a lot of losers posting diy videos with no credentials. Listening to them will mess you up big time. Keep it professional.

[@juanvaldez5422]

Like who?

[@BFrydell]

How does Taylor fix up their matte/satin/varnish guitars? I assume you don't use the same polish. And what about the back of the neck? It looks like that back of the neck of the guitar in this video is matte but you do polish it here. So... does that mean you do use polish on matte guitars? what do you do differently?

[@ElixirStringsMedia]

Hi Bobby, here's a link to Taylor's recommended care - www.taylorguitars.com/support/maintenance/properly-cleaning-your-guitar

[@robertreynolds2350]

Using rubbing compound will bring out any swirls in the clear coat.

[@philipatoz]

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.

[@simonleonp]

loose them slowly haha he is using a freacking electric tool!

[@VibhorVerma28]

I just throw the bucket full of water on my dusty guitar 🎸..

[@taxisteve929]

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.

[@marksamuelbeck]

Noice👍

[@JasonHallsUK]

long live elixir strings when i 1st got a set i never went back to anyother strings they are the fucking bomb i just wish they were cheeper =(

[@brunningwolf]

I tried your stringing method it sucks loses tune now I lock my strings they stay in tune.

[@Tevwood]

Fantastic. Very clear and informative. Thank you.

[@jorgegalizzi8022]

Hello, very good information. I have a question, how do you clean the body of a matte taylor guitar? Many thanks!

[@ElixirStringsMedia]

Hi Jorge, Rob is unable to respond to your question. We suggest that you contact Taylor directly for details on cleaning your guitar.

[@neoxavier5477]

I found linseed oil left a sheen gloss on the Pau Ferro fretboard, should I sand it down?

[@adrianwee7535]

"loosen them slowly" proceeds to used a hand held rotary drill XD

[@rainman3594]

Is the express shine turtle wax safe foe satin finish Taylor guitars?

[@bltefft]

My new Builder's Edition 614CE has a satin finish, would I still use the kind of car wax you did?

[@maxhammer4067]

Such a good vid I'm adding this to favourite 😍

[@ElixirStringsMedia]

Thanks, Max! We're glad that you found it useful.

[@alexanderpotts7308]

Who's a silly Billy? First he uses wire cutters to pull out the ebony bridge pins! there's a cheap plastic tool you can get for that which won't do any damage, or do what a lot of acoustic guitarists did for years and stick your hand in the sound hole and push the pins up. Then he polishes up the guitar, then puts masking tape over what he's just polished!!!!!!!!" NO! That should have been done before he cleaned up the fretboard, then he could take the tape off and polish up the guitar. How many more mistakes is this galoot going to make, and I'm only half way into the video?

[@MarcCamilo]

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?

[@suegates5]

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

[@makersmike2959]

Or try my technique for cleaning. Grab a shop towel and make a couple swipes down the neck and around the sound hole, making sure not to worry about dust getting into the sound hole because dust already has and always will enter the sound hole. Job complete.

[@aalex497]

Linseed Oil... isn't it toxic?

[@rickmorrow993]

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]

Thanks for watching, Rick. Bob is a great guy and has definitely made a huge impact on the music products industry!

[@rickmorrow993]

@@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.

[@MatthewRhodes]

*Looks at his fucked up Seagull* needs some oil hahahaha

[@rwillett651]

my taylor 110 acoustic does not have the glossy finish that is on the guitar you are cleaning. can i apply these same tips?

[@mr.smithgnrsmith7808]

I NEVER clean my guitars...especially the fretboard...adds....tone..lol

[@Alan-bw5ec]

What brand of tuning peg winder are you using?

[@daveowens]

Fantastic video - all simple but essential to keeping your guitar playing and looking great.

[@ElixirStringsMedia]

We're glad that you found it useful!