All Tanglewood guitars are crafted from carefully selected tone woods. Several models feature all-solid wood construction, a characteristic found in some of the world’s most highly acclaimed guitars. One of the true merits of solid wood guitars is that they sound better, and will actually improve with age, and frequent use. Solid wood guitars however, are more sensitive to their environment. Wood tends to move, expanding and contracting according to changes in temperature and humidity. This type of movement can be very traumatic to a guitar, and cause a number of imperfections to appear. Cold weather climates are generally more challenging for wood products, and require that certain precautions be taken.

 

 

To avoid critical damage to your guitar, we recommend you pay close attention to how it is handled, as well as to the ambient humidity and temperature it is exposed to.

 

To avoid shrinkage, cracking, swelling, and warping of your guitar, we suggest keeping it in an environment that provides fairly constant temperature and humidity. The humidity level should be closely monitored with a quality hygrometer. Ideal humidity is 40-55% relative to an ambient temperature between 12° to 27° Celcius (55° and 80° Fahrenheit). In practice, 40% is sufficient at high temperatures, and 50% required for low temperatures due to less moisture capacity of the air.

 

During the colder seasons, we suggest the use of a guitar humidifier, placed in the sound hole of your guitar, or the case in which the guitar is stored.

 

Generally speaking, if you are comfortable in your environment, your guitar will be comfortable too!

 

When changing your guitar strings, remove and install one string at a time. This will minimize the shock of releasing all the string tension on the neck. We strongly recommend the use of Light or Medium gauge strings. String sets with a low "E" larger than .54MM are not recommended.

 

Strings will last longer if wiped down with a dry cloth after each use.

 

When not in use, your guitar should always be stored in its case. The case slows down moisture loss in a dry environment, and moisture absorption in a humid environment. It will also minimize the possibility of accidental damage.

When transporting your guitar in a car with either heat or air conditioning on, we suggest you place the guitar in its case inside a large airtight plastic bag (a garbage bag works fine) to seal in moisture and protect against excessive dryness. Do not leave your guitar in the passenger seat, trunk of a car, or anywhere else where sunlight can overheat it, or where it can freeze. It is important not to shock the guitar or subject it to environmental extremes!

 

If your guitar is cold, and you enter a warm room, do not open the case until the guitar has come up to room temperature. This acclimatisation can take as long as 5 or 6 hours, depending on the differential temperatures.

 

Not only will you feel good and get hours of enjoyment, but the more you play your guitar, the more it helps the solid woods to develop tone. This will also keep you in touch with your guitar, should it require maintenance.

 

Following these simple suggestions will ensure that you enjoy many years of satisfaction from your new guitar. Happy Playing!