Guitar Storage
Guitar Storage
I have 3 solid body guitars, (two of which are basses) that are going into storage for a few years. Anything I should know to keep them from being damaged? Temp will be continuous 73-75 degrees. Bodies are...ash, basswood, alder. Just don't wanna open the case in a few years and get an unwanted suprise.
The most important part of a stringed instrument when storing it is of course the neck. There's always an argument about how to do it, and I don't know the right answer.
When I store basses, I do like to get them out every couple months and play them, so I don't remove the strings or take ALL the tension off them and relieve the truss rod tension completely. I simply drop the strings about a step or step and a half. I May drop them a little further and Slightly relieve the truss rod, but not too often.
My opinion is, as long as there is not maximum tension on the neck or you make the truss rod tension slightly more than that of the strings, you should be alright. This may seem obvious, but I've seen it done, so here it goes: DO NOT remove all the tension of the truss rod without taking tension off the strings. And even worse, DO NOT take all the tension off the strings without loosening the trussrod. The latter will open up the fret slots allowing improperly installed frets to raise out of their slots. This can happen over nite! (I learned the hard way on that one!)
I'd also wipe the hardware and strings down with a mild general purpose cleaning solution to get any oils off the metal. That'll help keep them from corroding.
When I store basses, I do like to get them out every couple months and play them, so I don't remove the strings or take ALL the tension off them and relieve the truss rod tension completely. I simply drop the strings about a step or step and a half. I May drop them a little further and Slightly relieve the truss rod, but not too often.
My opinion is, as long as there is not maximum tension on the neck or you make the truss rod tension slightly more than that of the strings, you should be alright. This may seem obvious, but I've seen it done, so here it goes: DO NOT remove all the tension of the truss rod without taking tension off the strings. And even worse, DO NOT take all the tension off the strings without loosening the trussrod. The latter will open up the fret slots allowing improperly installed frets to raise out of their slots. This can happen over nite! (I learned the hard way on that one!)
I'd also wipe the hardware and strings down with a mild general purpose cleaning solution to get any oils off the metal. That'll help keep them from corroding.
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All kinetic, no potential.
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All kinetic, no potential.
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metalchurch
- Diamond Member
- Posts: 3719
- Joined: Friday Feb 09, 2007
- Location: Somerset
There's also these little packets that soak up moisture that you can put in the case with your guitar or bass that work well. Not sure if you are storing them in a storage shed or in a house, but I wouldnt suggest anything other than a temp lower than 65 for an extended period of time.
A good rule of thumb is, if you are comfortable, then your guitar is comfortable.
In the winter months I drape my guitar necks with my girlfriend's used panties, to keep them warm.
Try not to use dirty ones though, or your hands will smell like old womb.
Although that has proved to work in the summer time when it's real hot and I'm on the verge of passing out, because they sort of work like smelling salt.
A good rule of thumb is, if you are comfortable, then your guitar is comfortable.
In the winter months I drape my guitar necks with my girlfriend's used panties, to keep them warm.
Try not to use dirty ones though, or your hands will smell like old womb.
Although that has proved to work in the summer time when it's real hot and I'm on the verge of passing out, because they sort of work like smelling salt.
