Actually, two questions:
1. I bought a Snark clip-on tuner, but the instructions say "Do not use on Gibson guitars" because it will damage the finish. Is there a clip-on guitar tuner that WON'T damage my gtr (2018 SG Special)?
2. I also bought an Amazon Basics guitar stand. The 🎸 rests on this hard black foamy stuff. Can THIS damage the 🎸?
Thanks in advance!
Me2
Favorite Answer
The 2018 Gibson 2018 SG Special has a nitrocellulose lacquer finish, and Snark advises that this finish is known to be damaged by the rubber formulation used on the clamps. It has nothing to do with the pad's hardness or softness, but rather a chemical incompatibility.
Amazon's description of their stands does not state that they're safe for nitro finishes, so the only prudent assumption is that they're NOT safe. Fender, for example, makes a variety of stands, and they state which are nitro-safe.
https://shop.fender.com/en/intl/accessoriesstands/fender-adjustable-guitar-stand/0991802000.html
https://shop.fender.com/en/intl/accessoriesstands/fender-deluxe-hanging-guitar-stand/0991803000.html
Anonymous
Ask your mom
Anonymous
I suspect that Snark are being over-cautious and that cliping the tuner on, tuning the guitar and then removing it won't do any damage. But, it's better to be safe than sorry.
I don't know of any clip-on tuners that definitely won't damage a nitro-cellulose finish. I'd just use a piece of cotton cloth or even a piece of paper to go between the clamps and the headstock and remove the tuner when the guitar wasn't in use. That's not a very elegant solution, I know, but at least it allows you to use the tuner safely.
The black foam parts of a guitar stand can be problematic too. I have a guitar finished in what is supposed to be acrylic but the finish was soon damaged by a guitar stand and a guitar hanger that used tge same material. I use an old cotton cloth to protect the guitar now.
If you can get something that is definitely safe for guitars finished in nitro-cellulose you should be fine.
Anonymous
I use a Snark. The pads are pretty soft, but I suppose you could buy some of those small round felt sticky pads and use them as extra cushion. I haven't heard of any stand's foamy parts damaging guitars. I bet if they did, they'd be out of business pretty quick.
Our greasy mitts are more of a threat to a guitar finish than anything else you've mentioned.
The Oracle of Omigod
I played before electronic tuners existed - we had to tune them with our own ears. Imagine that. But I would pick a spot on your Gibson and clip the tuner on that spot and not worry about the finish right there. And the closed cell foam is designed to not damage the finish. But if your guitar doesn't get a few dings here and there, you ain't playing hard enough.