De-Tuning for storage?

[Tukinator]

What's the offical verdict on de-tuning while you've got a guitar in a case for an extended period of time? Say at least a month or two?

 

I've never done it myself, and it hasn't seemed to really be an issue. But, I've started to wonder about it more and more lately.

 

As far as that goes, how about humidifiers in the case?

[Lerxst1281733995]

I think de-tuning a half step is a good idea for shipping.. Perhaps long-term storage as well.. But I wouldn't take all the tension off the neck.. You could end up with back-bow..

 

Case humidifiers are good for acoustic and hollow/semi-hollows... Depends on how dry/humid it is where you live.. And they're not necessary for solid-bodies..

[Tukinator]

Thanks Lerxst.

 

That may just be the only reply I really need.

[Dave]

I pulled my USA Strat out of the case yesterday after not playing it for almost a year. It was still in tune and only require a few cents touchup to be perfect. It has been tuned at pitch in and out of the case since 1979 when I bought it and the action is always still where I left it. I can agree that a slight detuning could be beneficial, but if you think about it, a new guitar from the factory is tuned and stays in tune from there to the dealer and hangs on the rack at the dealer for however long it takes to sell it. Obviously, the manufacturer and the dealer aren't worried about neck warping or other detrimental effects.

[RotcanX]

Thing is, an electric is seldomn if ever subject to the same stress factors due to string tension and humidity that an acoustic is. Even a hollow body like the Casino has the strings anchored in a trapeze tailpiece that takes all the tension as opposed to the acoustic bridge which transfers all that tension (about 200 pounds) into the guitar's thin top. Same deal for humidity; you rarely if ever have a thin solid spruce top on an electric guitar that can crack if it gets too dry. About the only thing you really have to worry about is sudden temperature changes which can crack a lacquer finish.

[RotcanX]

Thing is, an electric is seldom if ever subject to the same stress factors due to string tension and humidity that an acoustic is. Even a hollow body like the Casino has the strings anchored in a trapeze tailpiece that takes all the tension as opposed to the acoustic bridge which transfers all that tension (about 200 pounds) into the guitar's thin top. Same deal for humidity; you rarely if ever have a thin solid spruce top on an electric guitar that can crack if it gets too dry. About the only thing you really have to worry about is sudden temperature changes which can crack a lacquer finish.

[Notes_Norton]

Personally, I don't think de-tuning it is necessary (but I admit, I'm not an expert). After all, if you were playing it, it would never be detuned.

 

I have had my 1970 Gibson ES330 for many years, and I have never detuned it. There have been times when I haven't played if for years (spent 3 years playing on cruise ships without that guitar - it's too precious - I take other guitars) and there have been no obvious problems with it.

 

Insights and incites by Notes

[13yguitarman]

My 1970's les paul deluxe hasnt been played in a while but its usually fine the laquer did crack sometime before i bought it at a yardsale for a really cheap price (guy didnt know what he had)

[Dave]

Thing is' date=' an electric is seldom if ever subject to the same stress factors due to string tension and humidity that an acoustic is. Even a hollow body like the Casino has the strings anchored in a trapeze tailpiece that takes all the tension as opposed to the acoustic bridge which transfers all that tension (about 200 pounds) into the guitar's thin top. Same deal for humidity; you rarely if ever have a thin solid spruce top on an electric guitar that can crack if it gets too dry. About the only thing you really have to worry about is sudden temperature changes which can crack a lacquer finish.[/quote']

 

I agree on the acoustic comment. If you look at most hard -tail acoustics closely, you can usually detect a slight bulge around the bridge where the bracing allows a little give. I hadn't thought of it, but a trapeze tailpiece is a good design in that respect.

[IbbysB4Epis]

My 1976 Gibson LP spent the better part of 10 years in it's case without de-tuning it. The strings lost their integrity but my thirty year old LP is just as fine as it was thirty years ago.

[Tukinator]

Thanks a lot for all the feedback.

 

I'd had similar experiences in pulling guitars out that had been in the case for a while still holding their tune.

 

Lately though, I've started worrying that I'd pull one out to play, and instead have something more worthy of shooting arrows with.

 

Thanks again, I really appreciate it.

[RSDx]

Nah, I never detune for storage (although "storage" consists of sitting on a stand in the corner). I agree with Rotcan's ideas about the acoustics - was only thinking electric when I read the op. So I suppose detuning an acoustic might not be a bad idea if being stored longterm (neither my acoustic nor my electric go unplayed long enough to call it "storage," so it's actually a moot point for me personally).