djandrey_m Posted April 24, 2009 Posted April 24, 2009 Dear fellow musicians: Here's the deal with me: I'm going to school for the next 2.5 years. I need to put away my drums, 2 guitars (one of them a Les Paul), 2 keyboards and a guitar amp in self storage for hopefully not more than $30 a month. (its probably gonna run me $1000 for the whole period) So, unheated storage: is it gonna ruin my stuff? Or if I wrap things up pretty good (so no moisture will get in or out) -is that gonna keep them safe? I live in Seattle, WA - the lowest temp in winter we ever get is an occasional 32.
tuckomf Posted April 24, 2009 Posted April 24, 2009 I'll PM you my address. I'll just hang onto your stuff for free. Seriously though, I wouldn't recommend storing a guitar anywhere that's going to get less than 65 degrees or so. Especially something with a nitro finish. Even the keyboards and amp won't hold up well with a lot of humidity in the air. If given enough time in that situation, any electrical component can become corroded. Next thing you know your keyboard needs to be taken apart and cleaned, your amp needs to go to a tech, your drum shells are warped or worse, and you have spiderwebs all over the finish of your guitars. If nothing else, find a relative who has a spare bedroom, or at least something off the ground in a basement in case of flooding. Or lend them to a responsible friend. That way you can spread the love and know that your stuff is safe and being enjoyed.
Cruznolfart Posted April 24, 2009 Posted April 24, 2009 Chances are the humidity will be more problematic than the temps. I've stored my Ludwig drums in my garage for 47 years with no problems. I notice the some of the chrome on the hardware has a little pitting now but, what the hey, they're OLD! If you don't have climate-controlled storage available or affordable, use plenty of desiccant in your cases. I don't think I'd wrap them in plastic, though. If there's any moisture at all the plastic might hold it in.
Murph Posted April 24, 2009 Posted April 24, 2009 As a gigging musician for well over 30 years I will tell you my guitars have been well below 65 degrees MANY times in Illinois, and well over 100 in the Mesa Phoenix days. The problem is SUDDEN changes in temps. 32 degrees won't hurt em'. Humidity is going to be your problem. I don't know about the drums, but find a friend or family member you trust and park the Lester at their house. Or, better yet. Bring it with you. Piss on the keyboards...... Murph.
tuckomf Posted April 24, 2009 Posted April 24, 2009 Maybe I just had bad luck, then. When we were on the road a few years ago, we kept everything in the band trailer. Our guitarist took out his SG to play in the van, and there was finish checking between the pickups and along the bevels. It had only gotten down to about 40 overnight, so I dunno. Could have been something else to it. Ever since then, I've babied my guitars when it comes to temp and humidity.
retrosurfer1959 Posted April 25, 2009 Posted April 25, 2009 My LP was one of the most important things to me in college. Mostly since it really helped me get the most important thing in college the women. Storage shouldn't kill it but still hell of a risk to take i'd take em or sell em knowing I had to replace them later...
TommyK Posted April 27, 2009 Posted April 27, 2009 Might consider investing in a couple rolls of celophone plastic wrap (Saran wrap). Better yet if you got someone who works in shipping who could spot you a partial roll of the 'good stuff' used for keeping boxes on a pallet. Don't skimp on the wrap for the electronics and drums. The guit tars? You'd be better off to give them to your kid brother for safe keeping. Cold, damp storage, even above freezing are he** on guit tars. Probably better off even to sell them, then buy new after you graduate.
MikeRom Posted April 27, 2009 Posted April 27, 2009 I wouldn't go the platic wrap route. As mentioned earlier it will hold in the moisture but even worse I think it may cause the mositure to condense out and then you would have water coming into direct contact with surfaces.
TommyK Posted April 27, 2009 Posted April 27, 2009 I wouldn't go the platic wrap route. As mentioned earlier it will hold in the moisture but even worse I think it may cause the mositure to condense out and then you would have water coming into direct contact with surfaces. Agreed. You need to wrap it in a dry environment after said equipment has been in that dry environment for a couple days. Usually an airconditioned room will be fairly dry.... or haul the whole works to Arizona for the week-end.
The Mick Posted April 28, 2009 Posted April 28, 2009 after wrapping ect.. put some damp rid around the storage room
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