A Clean Guitar is a Clean Mind




Let’s not beat around the bush — your guitar deserves better than unidentified goo, rusted strings, and sticky fingerprints from that late-night curry jam session. If you want your instrument to play, sound, and feel its best, a bit of regular TLC goes a long way.

Whether you're a total beginner or a seasoned shredder, this guide will teach you how to give your guitar the spa day it deserves — using the Music Nomad gear we love and trust here at Musicmaker.



Out with the old, the Music Nomad Grip Cutter

1. REMOVE OLD STRINGS — THE RIGHT WAY

Don’t just yank them off like you’re late for rehearsal. Loosen them gently, unwind with a string winder, and use Music Nomad’s GRIP Cutter to snip and bin the lot.

Now’s also a good time to wipe down your tuners, pickups and bridge. Dust, sweat and stray crumbs — they all live there. Evict them.



Only the finest, the Music Nomad F-ONE Oil

2. CLEAN THE FRETBOARD

So you’re changing your strings? Great. But before those shiny new ones go on, give that neglected fretboard some love.

  • For rosewood, ebony or unfinished maple, grab Music Nomad F-ONE Oil — it hydrates, cleans and conditions without the greasy mess.
  • Apply a small amount between frets, wait a few seconds, then wipe away the grime with a clean cloth.
  • Marvel at the gunk. Then marvel at how amazing your fretboard looks now.

Pro tip: You only need to oil the fretboard every few string changes — don’t go overboard. You’re a musician, not a salad chef.



A little polishing goes a long way - the FRINE Polishing Kit

3. POLISH THOSE FRETS (YES, REALLY)

Fret polish isn’t just for the fussy — it’s for anyone who wants silky bends and buttery vibrato.

  • Place the guard over each fret
  • Polish until those bad boys shine

It makes a huge difference, especially on older guitars or gig-worn necks. Plus, you’ll feel like a tech wizard.



Great for everything, MN100 Guitar Detailer

4. CLEAN THE BODY & HARDWARE

This is where the glow-up begins.

  • Spray lightly onto a cloth (never directly on the guitar!) and give the body a good wipe-down.
  • For the awkward bits around the bridge, knobs and pickups, the Nomad Tool (with that nifty microfiber brush and suede pad) works wonders.

Suddenly your guitar looks like it’s just come out of the box — minus the cling film and unnecessary plastic.



Make life easier with the MN221 Grip Winder

5. TIME TO STRING UP

Now you’re ready for the fresh set. Grab your new strings and:

  • Thread them neatly through the bridge or trem
  • Lock them down or wind them evenly at the tuners

If your guitar has a trem system, or if tuning stability matters (and it always does), apply Tune-It to the nut slots, string trees, saddles, and any place strings rub. It’s like giving your tuning stability a seatbelt.



Get it exactly right, the MN604 Gauge Set.

6. SETUP CHECK – ACTION, INTONATION, NECK RELIEF

Don’t panic. This isn’t black magic. With the Music Nomad Precision Setup Gauge Set, you can check your:

  • Neck relief – is your neck too flat or bowed?
  • String action – is your setup comfy or fighting you?
  • Intonation – are your notes in tune all the way up the neck?

Make small tweaks. If you’re unsure, ask the Musicmaker crew — we’ll happily walk you through it or book you in for a proper setup.



Clean and serene, the MN109 String Fuel

7. KEEP IT CLEAN BETWEEN SETUPS

You don’t need a full teardown every week — but a few seconds of care after each play session goes a long way.

  • Run a cloth over the body and neck

Keep a plush cloth in your case — it’s your guitar’s first line of defence against your sweaty, stage-wrecking hands




Music Nomad Gear We Actually Use

Here’s the greatest hits of what we use in the shop (and on our own gear):




Final Thoughts: Why Bother?

Because your guitar is an extension of you — and a clean, well-set-up instrument feels better, sounds better, and inspires better playing. It's that simple.

And let’s be honest: if you spent good money on it, why treat it like a pub mop?


TL;DR – How to Clean, Restring & Maintain Like a Pro

  • Remove old strings
  • Clean the fretboard
  • Polish the frets
  • Wipe the body and hardware
  • Restring carefully
  • Lube the contact points
  • Check setup basics
  • Repeat every few months


Need help choosing your first maintenance kit? Pop into Musicmaker, and one of us will walk you through the essentials.

Clean guitar, clean tone, clean vibes. Get it done.



Check out all our Music Nomad Products HERE.