Storing a guitar

[SlagJones]

I know many of you have several guitars and some may get used more than others. When you are storing a guitar that may not get used for awhile, do you store in it's case with strings on at full tension or do you loosen the strings or remove them altogether?

[RobinTheHood]

I just put it in a case with full tension on the strings. I also make sure the case is on its side, as opposed to laying flat.

I suppose if it were long term storage, I may loosen the strings a bit.

[Rockanrolla]

I have a couple in storage, I loosen the strings and keep them in their hard cases, temperature is a factor too, an attic is a bad place to keep them as the temperature changes quite rapidly (depending on location) from a cold night to a hot morning, and over time can affect and cause damage to the woods. also humidity can cause problems. I keep mine in a cupboard in the house and a regulated temperature, I think its good to get them out once in a while, tune up and give them a couple of songs to keep them sweet.

[motowntom]

i recently aquired a guitar that was stored under a bed for 43 years. it was stored with full tnsion on the strings(flatwounds), lying flat. the guitar is mint, no proublems at all. so i guess it depends on the guitar.

 

cheers

[MykWiz]

motowntom,

 

2010 - 43 = 1967

 

what did you score? is it the 66 casino listed in your signature? do tell! =)

 

~MW

[peeper]

Store them in a case, under full string tension. Slacking the strings without adjusting the truss rod is recipe for disaster.

[SlagJones]

I just put it in a case with full tension on the strings. I also make sure the case is on its side' date=' as opposed to laying flat.

I suppose if it were long term storage, I may loosen the strings a bit. [/quote']

Just wondering what is your reasoning behind storing on the side or flat? thanks.

[RobinTheHood]

Just wondering what is your reasoning behind storing on the side or flat? thanks.

 

So that there is no unwanted pressure on the neck. This is even more important if storing (even for a short time) in a gig bag - even the heavily padded ones.

 

I realize that a case is supposed to protect the guitar in that sense' date=' but better safe than sorry, IMO. I go by the reasoning that if you store it flat, in a case, long enough, the neck support may end up warping the neck after time. Ive read about this happening, but I'm not sure how common it is.

 

That, and in my household with limited space, if I were to store a guitar flat, in a case, Id have the kid(s) and wife stacking things on top of it in no time. Thats just what they do.

Surely a recipe for disaster in that sense.

 

Musikron, what is your professional opinion on this?

[peeper]

I have guitars stacked four deep under my desk at home, lying flat in cases. I ain't worried about it, if its in a good case. Now, would I leave them like that untouched for years? Nope.

[duane v]

I have about 8 guitars stored and they are in the case laying flat, straight up and on there sides[biggrin]

[rdsmith3]

I have a classical guitar that I have had for maybe 35 years. I would go for periods of years without playing it, and it was lying flat in a case under my bed. It is still in great shape, and sounds very nice.

 

 

Its stablemate is a Yamaha FG 335 acoustic from 1980 that is also in great shape, but those things are built like a tank compared to a classical guitar.

[peeper]

I read somewhere that if one is planning on not playing a guitar for over a year' date=' it's best to loosen the strings.

 

A few months unused at full tension is not going to be a problem.

 

 

[/quote']

Nope, they need to stay perfectly balanced, and staying tuned is a big part of that.

[magickbk]

I personally haven't been playing long enough to leave any of mine unused for more than a few months at a time, but I keep them all tuned when they sit in the cases unused for a while. One thing though: unless you are going to be in another country for a year or so, wouldn't it be better to at least open the cases, inspect the necks and hardware, and tune them up every few months even if you aren't playing them? That is what I do. Otherwise, I'd hate to leave my guitar in the case for a year, then open it up and discover corrosion or damage because it was too damp or cold in there even though the room felt fine. Besides, you will frequently find sudden inspiration when you pick up one of your old stand-bys that you haven't touched in a few months, and find that your quarterly maintenance period results in many enjoyable sessions to come!

[RobinTheHood]

Nope' date=' they need to stay perfectly balanced, and staying tuned is a big part of that.[/quote']

 

Good to know. I'll have to make sure I check on my gits that I dont use much. Thanks for that info.

[peeper]

magickbk-

That is a good habit to get into. If more people did that I'd be out of a job!

[SlagJones]

I personally haven't been playing long enough to leave any of mine unused for more than a few months at a time' date=' but I keep them all tuned when they sit in the cases unused for a while. One thing though: unless you are going to be in another country for a year or so, wouldn't it be better to at least open the cases, inspect the necks and hardware, and tune them up every few months even if you aren't playing them? That is what I do. Otherwise, I'd hate to leave my guitar in the case for a year, then open it up and discover corrosion or damage because it was too damp or cold in there even though the room felt fine. Besides, you will frequently find sudden inspiration when you pick up one of your old stand-bys that you haven't touched in a few months, and find that your quarterly maintenance period results in many enjoyable sessions to come!

[/quote']

Makes perfect sense to me.

[TP]

I just keep them all safe by making sure to play each of my 5 guitars at least once or twice a week. Especially with my three solid wood acoustics, I check them at least every other day during the winter as they sit in the case to make sure my humidity levels are good and the dampits and other forms of humidification are working. I always have kept my guitars at pitch (whatever pitch I play them at be it standard, DADGAD, Drop D or open G tunings) and only re-tune when needed or switching to a different tuning. I do tend to leave my Casino and my solid body Schecter out on stands pretty much year round so I have something to grab when I just have a few minutes to spare. Durning the summer months, they are all out on stands as my humidity levels are always in a good range.