Guitar Storage
Published on 08/07/2009 by Elwood | 11,618 views.Don't...
- Don't store your guitar in a car for a prolonged period of time.
- Don't store your guitar in a basement!
- Don't store your guitar in an attic!
- Don't store your guitar near windows, where it can get heavy exposure to light.
- Don't store your guitar below an anvil being held up with dental floss.
Guitar storage is vital to the importance of keeping your guitar's sound like new. The first thing to remember is that your guitar is made of wood. You need to keep your guitar at a moderate temperature. Too cold it may crack, too hot it may warp. If it gets wet, you are screwed. Keep you guitar in a dry area, at moderate temperature. I do not recommend storing it in a basement or an attic if you can help it.
Some guitarists may tell you not to keep the guitar out in the open, on a stand or hung on the wall. Others may recommend keeping it in a case. From my personal experience, the differences from keeping a guitar in a case versus on a stand or hung on the wall are negligible. The most important factors are keeping your guitar dry, safe, and at a good temperature.
Humidity
Too much humidity will do damage to your guitar over time. It is usually best to keep your guitar any where from 35-55% relative humidity. Remember that too much humidity will warp your guitar, and too little humidity will dry your guitar out. In the case of humidity, it is usually best to have lower humidity than higher.
Some guitars require a specialty humidifier. This is usually the case when the body of the guitar is unfinished. There are devices for helping maintain humidity inside your guitar.
(44 customer reviews)Your strings, pickups, and internal wiring is all made out of some sort of metal. If they become exposed to water, they may oxidize (lose electrons). If this occurs, atomically speaking, the metal components will deteriorate, or rust. Ultimately you will wind up with a worse sound, or a broken guitar.
Options
I recommend keeping your guitar out in the open, on a stand or hung on the wall if the chore of removing it and putting it away in it's case means you playing less. Personally, keeping it out in the open (hung on the wall) makes it more accessible to play, and a functional piece of art too. The following are a few products you might try using.
(0 customer reviews)
String Swing CC01K Hardwood Home & Studio Guitar Hanger
Price: $9.65
(364 customer reviews)
51 used & new available from $4.45
I've used the String Swing wall guitar hanger for over a year. It's very sturdy and displays your guitar out where it can be admired....and easily played.
Highly recommended.
You can get the wall hanging hooks at your neighborhood super hardware store for less. Also buy scrap wood and screws while you are there. The hooks will go into wood blocks which will go into the wall and that will give your headstock clearance. You'll end up saving 40% going this route.
A question, actually.
If an acoustic guitar is to be stored and not played for months at a time, should the strings be loosened or removed?
Any info/comments would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Rick K.
yes you should loosen the strings when storing.
Only loosen strings one half step if storing for prolonged periods. Loosening all the way or taking them off will cause a back bow or relief.
I Have A Couple Questions:
1)Can I Keep My Guitar In My Case When Not Played And Not Cause Any Harm To The Guitar?
2)When Traveling In A Car, Where Is The Best Place To Put The Guitar When It's In A Hard Shell Case
can i take strings off guitar wen storing
I have an old Yamaha EC-10 fullsize classical that's been in my attic for years. It's always been kept in its case. When I was up in my attic last Fall doing some roof repairs, I came across my old Yamaha and decided to take it downstairs. The guitar had no signs of fatigue anywhere. The finish was fine, no cracks, nothing loose, nothing warped, no buzzes and the old strings still sounded ok; the bass strings still had some punch to them. The guitar has been in my attic for nearly two decades untouched. I'm baffled at how well preserved it was when I opened up the extremely dusty case. I had my guitar restrung with thicker gauge strings last year (I like a punchier bass), and given a light cleaning, and it sounds great. The guy at the music store who restrung my gutiar told me that Yamaha EC-10's are pretty tough guitars. They were fairly inexpensive guitars that were intended for beignners, and had really well made laminate soundboards. And they sounded pretty darn good for having laminate tops. The thicker gauge strings sound so good that my guitar literally shakes when I strike a bass note. Now that I've got more time to myself I'll finally be able to start playing guitar again:)
Hi,
.
I'm going overseas for about a year, and can't bring my guitar. Have you got any tips on storing my guitar during this time (without getting it damaged). Perhaps putting it in his case and putting the strings looser or something? It's a semi-acoustic Fender btw
X
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