The Best Temperature to keep a guitar at

scoobster28 · Post by **scoobster28** » Mon Apr 02, 2001 8:22 am

I have a brand new 360/12CW and I live in our basement. It is dry but sometimes gets cold and hot. What temperatures should I maintain the basement in? Also, what are the cutoff temperatures I should be worried about? If I know these, I will place my guitar in the case when not in use. Otherwise, I would keep it on a stand. Is this a good idea? Thanks.

Josh · Post by **Josh** » Wed Apr 04, 2001 7:36 am

If I were you, I would ALWAYS keep the guitar in its' case when you're not playing it. I've seen too many guitars get cracked or scratched because someone or something knocked it off the stand. There's less chance of something falling on it or it falling over, etc. if you keep it in the case. And this would help keep the guitar at an even temperature.

Drasting changes in temperature cause the wood to move. Keep it in the case when not in use.

Just my opinion.

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Wed Apr 04, 2001 8:57 am

I would have to say ,that the humidity of the basement is more of a problem than the temperature.
As to case VS stand....I agree,Case wins ...hands down.I have repaired more guitars due to a stand than from a case.Headstocks love to crack/breakoff and shatter because of stands.

I play in a band and I own one stand.It is a V shaped stage that the neck does not rest on at all.I use this as it fits all of my instruments except the Flying V ,Firebird and Explorer type guitars.I have a rack that is covered with Pipe insulation that holds 5 electric guitars and two acoustic guitars at once .This is what I use on stage.I change guitars constantly .Part of my Stephen Stills up bringing.They all mount sideways.This is a rack that is based offf the ones we had at the Electro string corp /makers of Rickenbacker instruments.So I do still have a pride factor after all these years and have still got that deep in my brain.

Cracking is caused by extreme CHANGES in temperature .Not over months or weeks ,but minutes.

Over 65 degree Fahrenheit is comfortable .If it works for you ...it will work for the guitar.

Josh · Post by **Josh** » Wed Apr 04, 2001 10:32 am

Here's a story to help convince you to keep it in the case:

One guy a share our practice space with has a beautiful Les Paul goldtop. He was constantly leaving the guitar out on a stand when he wasn't there. One day at the end of practice, someone or something bumped the stand and the guitar fell flat on its' face. The fall resulted in a crack in the headstock.

All of this would have been avoided if he had put his guitar away when he was finished. Lesson learned.

rhp335 · Post by **rhp335** » Wed Apr 04, 2001 12:02 pm

I would diagree to a certain point on this, I have heard from several luthiers that long term storage in a case can be detrimental due to the gasses escaping from the finish. I'm guessing that under certain situations, for example a household with smaller children, or in a shared practice space, stands might be a risk and a liability. I prefer wall hangers myself, built from wood with neophrene covers over the pegs that the headstock rests upon. I know for myself with over 30 instruments, including guitars, basses, lap steels, mandolins the logistics of having that many cases is staggering and impractical. btw - Mark - I'd love to see a picture, diagram, sketch or some description of your stage stand. I too switch between two or three guitars and have found most of the commercially available stands unworkable.

scoobster28 · Post by **scoobster28** » Thu Apr 05, 2001 2:54 am

Thanks for the info. I have also read that leaving a guitar in its case for long periods is bad because of some chemicals that are released. Is this true? THanks again.

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Thu Apr 05, 2001 11:30 am

The escaping gas idea has it's basis in fact from certain products used in the making of foams .There are different types.Also the glues to hold the liners in .

I have found that certain makes of inexpensive molded cases use foams that do indeed leach out gasses.They react with strap materials and dyes and cause the clears to yellow etc.

If you are worried about it,then leave it out of the case ,or get an old fashioned wooden type case.Get a wooden wall hanger hook setup that has leather guards to hold the neck.If you have a Telecaster type guitar,There are few hangers that work .Tele's love to turn off hangers.Ask any music store what model falls off or is pron to falling off a hook.Tele ....hands down.

If you must use a stand ,Get one that is low to the ground .The tube types with the hooks on th eneck are a problem in that they fall with the guitar .They don't stand well on plush carpet.

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Thu Apr 05, 2001 11:34 am

I own only one molded case ,it was given to me.

ALL the rest are made of wood and covered in a paper thin psuedo tolex type material .I think that these are fairly safe .

I have had ANVIL style road cases ,some of them have the foam problems.And the Foams react diferently to different finishes.

The case it self is a tank.

You kind of have to go with a gut feeking on this one.Storing guitars in cases for a long time is just a bad idea in that ....why is it being stored....PLAY THE THING!!!!! or is it just an investment to you ?

scoobster28 · Post by **scoobster28** » Wed Apr 11, 2001 8:12 am

Yes, it is an investment. Both in happiness and in economic areas. I bought it to last thirty years or more (like my Dad's Gibson SG) and want it to. Just worried about the recent hype about foam fumes and temperatures causing crazing on the finishes. That is all.

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Wed Apr 11, 2001 11:59 am

Well Rick is using molded cases .If John is correct (and I'm sure he is) then the stock molded case is probably fine.

Now the other brands on the market may not be .

I doubt that the case is made "in house" so if he released the info on who makes the Rick case ,get the same type of case.

I'm lucky ...I make my own cases ,they cost more ,but they out last the stock ones I have .

And NO ,I am not in the case making business.

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Apr 11, 2001 12:18 pm

Mark: I guess I now finally understand why you are such a good Rickenbacker detective. While we are out fooling around with our browsers you, on the other hand, are back at your office working on the case!

rick12dr · Post by **rick12dr** » Wed Apr 11, 2001 2:58 pm

Case closed!!

scoobster28 · Post by **scoobster28** » Thu Apr 12, 2001 3:43 am

I just want to say thanks, just in Case I forgot to earlier.