Care & Maintenance

Ghost Lab Acoustics instruments are built with premium tonewoods and engineered for long-term performance. With proper care, your guitar can remain stable, reliable, and visually stunning for generations. This page outlines the required environmental, cleaning, handling, and transport guidelines that help protect your investment and maintain warranty eligibility.

All guidance below reflects global industry standards used by leading instrument manufacturers and the collective experience of professional luthiers and hardwood specialists.

1.0 Environmental Requirements

Wood is a living, reactive material. Even dense hardwoods such as bird’s-eye maple, padauk, and purpleheart will expand or contract with temperature and humidity changes. Maintaining stable conditions is essential for long-term stability and tone.

1.1 Temperature

Store and use the instrument within:

65°F to 77°F (18°C to 25°C)

Temperatures outside this range can lead to:

  • Finish checking

  • Neck movement

  • Glue-joint stress

  • Warping or structural issues

1.2 Humidity

Maintain:

40% to 60% relative humidity

This is the global industry standard maintained by nearly all major manufacturers.

Deviations may cause:

  • Fret sprout

  • Wood shrinkage or swelling

  • Body or neck cracks

  • Finish issues

1.3 Rapid Climate Changes

Avoid sudden transitions such as:

  • Going from air conditioning to hot vehicles

  • Heated rooms to cold garages

  • Direct sunlight

  • Outdoor stages

  • Any rapid temperature/humidity shift

Rapid changes can cause immediate finish damage.

1.4 Storage & Display

Your instrument may be stored:

  • In its case

  • On a high-quality stand

  • On a proper guitar wall hanger

  • Hanging by the headstock is acceptable

IF AND ONLY IF the room is fully climate-controlled within the temperature and humidity ranges above.

Improper climate conditions remain the owner’s responsibility and may void warranty coverage.

2.0 Handling and Daily Use

2.1 Safe Lifting

Always lift the guitar by:

  • The neck joint area, or

  • The body

This provides the greatest stability and reduces risk of accidental drops.

2.2 Headstock Resting

It is acceptable to:

  • Hang the guitar by the headstock

  • Rest the guitar in stands designed for guitars

These practices are safe as long as climate requirements are maintained.

2.3 Professional Use

Your guitar is designed for:

  • Daily practice

  • Studio work

  • Live performance

  • Touring

Professional use does not void the warranty.
Neglect, environmental exposure, or physical abuse does.

3.0 Cleaning & Finish Care

Ghost Lab Acoustics instruments use a premium Osmo finish system engineered for long-term durability and a smooth, resonant feel.

3.1 Approved Cleaning Products

The only products approved for cleaning or finish maintenance are:

  • A clean, dry microfiber cloth (required after every playing session)

  • MusicNomad F-One Oil (Indian rosewood fretboard only)

  • Osmo Polyx-Oil 3054 (spot treatment on worn finish areas only)

No other oils, cleaners, or polishes are permitted.

3.2 Daily Cleaning

After every playing session:

  • Wipe the entire guitar — body, neck, fretboard edges, and hardware — with a clean, dry microfiber cloth.

This prevents sweat and oils from penetrating the finish.

3.3 Osmo Finish Maintenance

Osmo should only be applied when visible wear appears, not as routine maintenance.

Procedure:

  1. Apply a very small amount of Osmo 3054 to a clean, dry microfiber cloth.

  2. Gently treat the worn area only.

  3. Allow the finish to set for a minimum of 12 hours.

  4. Buff lightly with a clean, dry microfiber cloth.

Longer curing times (up to 24 hours or more) may be used when needed.

Typical interval: every 5–10 years or when visibly required.

3.4 Fretboard Care

Your fretboard is Indian rosewood. The only approved conditioner is:

MusicNomad F-One Oil

Use sparingly, only if the fretboard appears dry.
Do not use lemon oil or any other fretboard products.

3.5 Products Not Allowed

Do NOT use:

  • Furniture polish

  • Lemon oil

  • Waxes

  • Silicone sprays

  • Alcohol or solvent cleaners

  • Household cleaners

  • Acetone

  • Degreasers

  • Any abrasive pads

Use of unapproved products voids finish-related warranty coverage.

4.0 Neck, Frets, and Setup

4.1 Seasonal Setup Drift

It is normal for the neck to move slightly with seasonal humidity changes.
This may result in:

  • Slight buzz

  • Small action changes

  • Minor intonation drift

These are not defects and are standard maintenance items for all wooden instruments.

4.2 Fret Sprout

Low humidity can cause fret ends to protrude slightly.
This is wood shrinkage, not a manufacturing issue.
Maintaining 40%–60% humidity prevents this.

5.0 Transport & Touring Guidelines

5.1 Local Transport

Use:

  • A padded gig bag or hard case

Avoid:

  • Leaving the guitar in a vehicle

  • Extreme heat or cold

  • Stacking heavy items on the case

5.2 Air Travel

  • Carry on whenever possible

  • If gate-checking, detune the strings by ½ to 1 full step

  • Keep the interior of the case free of loose objects

5.3 Touring

Your guitar is designed for professional use — but touring environments are unpredictable.
You must:

  • Maintain proper humidity

  • Avoid hot trailers, cold vans, or direct sun

  • Handle with care during load-ins

Damage caused by neglect or environmental exposure is not covered by warranty.

6.0 Hardware, Tools, and Service

6.1 Hardware Torque

  • All screws and hardware must be torqued to appropriate specifications

  • Over-tightening may cause permanent damage and void warranty coverage

For torque questions, contact:
support@ghostlabacoustics.com

6.2 Electronics

Modification of wiring, routing, or any third-party alteration may void the warranty unless approved in writing.

7.0 Long-Term Storage

For long-term storage:

  • Keep the guitar fully tuned to pitch

  • Store in a climate-controlled room

  • Use a digital hygrometer

  • Maintain required humidity

  • Avoid basements, attics, garages, and sheds

This prevents neck relaxation and maintains structural equilibrium.

Only for shipping should the guitar be detuned ½ to 1 step.

8.0 Summary

Ghost Lab Acoustics instruments are built for decades of performance. By following the guidelines above, you will:

  • Maintain long-term stability

  • Protect the finish

  • Preserve playability

  • Support maximum longevity

  • Maintain warranty eligibility

For questions about care, maintenance, or torque specifications, contact:
support@ghostlabacoustics.com