sweat stains
 

I have them on the top part of the neck from my hand. and on the body where my forearm goes.

Is this bad? is it shortening the lifespan of my guitar?

I read somewhere that virtuoso cleaner is the best thing to get rid of the dark spot on the body? I'm kind of nervous that i might actually hurt the guitar though is it safe to use?

I also read i should wear longsleeves or drape a rag over the body while playing which i'll start doing now.

thanks.

First, what is the finish of your guitar, satin or glossy?

If satin, rubbing it with a polish (or your arm) could actually buff it out over time to a glossy spot.

These stains are common and will not shorten the lifespan of the guitar. Many will say it is mojo (a good thing) and will add a touch of grit to your playing. On the body, these can be minimized by putting a cloth down on the lower bout where your arm crosses it, or wearing long sleeves, or incorporating a sleeve sock (a large sock with the bottom cut out worn on your arm).

A polish may or may not get these out...I prefer Virtuoso because it is non-abrasive. First however try some mild soap on a damp cotton cloth and then wipe with another damp cloth.

I wouldn't do anything about the neck, it will rub out over time from playing.

Also, wash your hands before playing and rub down the neck and fretboard after. This will help prolong the life of the strings and remove hand oils and grundge from building up.

I agree with the points Misty made.

If you manage to get the stains polished out on the top, you might consider doing what a friend of mine in the same situation did to prevent it from happening again: he put a John Pearse armrest on the guitar

Here's a photo of the Pearse armrests on some of Roman's guitars, from a thread on the Taylor Guitar Forum:

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g2...ek/Taylors.jpg


I don't have sweat stain problems on my guitars, since I'm Cool Hand Luke (or, maybe, "Cool Forearm Wade,") and don't sweat on them. But I like the armrests for the way they lift the forearm off and allow the top to vibrate to its fullest extent, thus allowing the guitar to achieve its richest possible tone.

Hope this helps.


Wade Hampton Miller

Thanks for the replies. That john pearse armwrest is something to consider, I'm actually not sure what type of finish my guitar has. I have a martin dx1 when i go to their site it just says hand rubbed finish on the top. If the smudge doesn't ruin the sound or lifespan maybe i'll just leave it alone then.

The smudge will not affect the sound or shorten the lifespan of the guitar.

Having your forearm draped across the top when you play DOES affect the tone, because it keeps the top from vibrating as fully as it might. (Try playing an E chord with your forearm on the top, then lift your arm while the chord is still ringing, to hear whether your tone's being inhibited by your arm - on some guitars this won't make a difference, but on most there's an immediate and audible difference in the tone, with a fuller sound once your forearm is off the top.)

But, no, your perspiration will not affect the guitar in any way other than cosmetically.

Hope this helps.


Wade Hampton Miller

that helped wade thanks.

I've read on some forums that naphtha was safe and effective to use for sweat stains. I don't know that for a fact nor have I ever tried it.
Anyone here ever give naphtha a shot?

Naptha certainly wont hurt anything. As to wheter it removes sweat stains?... not sure.

Oasis sleeve
 

I just purchased a Gibson J-45 Custom and noticed the finish dulled where my arm touches the top front. I don't want to modify the guitar, so I was wondering if anyone has tried the Oasis sleeve.

http://oasishumidifiers.com/sleeves.html

Larry

I haven't tried it but it seems like a reasonably priced item that should work just fine.


whm

Yes, thats what I thought. I am going to purchase one and see how it works.

the virtuoso cleaner will get the sweat stain off, and if use the virtuoso polish, the next time you get a sweat stain on it, it will just wipe off

good for the neck too

I just cut the toe out of a sock. :)

A clean one.

Jason

That's the trick my classical guitar teacher showed me years ago. Cheap and effective!