Storage and display of vintage Ricks

[sashua]

I have amassed quite the collection over the years and recently, on a tour of my somewhat neglected basement, I found myself staring at all the vintage cases stacked neatly against a wall.

I realized that they have been sitting there for years and many never get played or even admired. It seems to me a real waste that such beauty should be locked away from sight and not appreciated so I decided that maybe it was time to display them. Maybe if they were in plain sight and in easy reach I would find myself enjoying them as "living investments" (though I use the word "investment" in the loosest possible sense given today's vintage instrument market).

Now to my question. If I were to take all of these valuable treasures from their tombs and put them on my walls in a room with *reasonable* temperature and humidity control - would they be equally comfortable and withstand the onslaught of years just as well? Can I expect crazing and lacquer issues or intonation problems or ????

I really want to start enjoying them again but not at the cost of slowly ruining them for our future Rickenbacker generations. It is our responsibility to pass them on to future caretakers in decent condition. Sure we play the hell out of our favorites...but they can't ALL be our favorites, can they? (speaking of course to those of us with larg(ish) collections.

I would love to hear your opinions here. Especially those who have done just what I am proposing. Dave Pascoe - I think I remember you being one of them...you out there?

~Russ

[beatlefreak]

As long as the environment is temperature and humidity controlled, there's no reason they can't be displayed. Refrain from just putting them on stands (some will disagree with me), as they can be prone to getting knocked over, things hitting them, your cats using them as scratching posts, etc.

Many people use a wall hanging system. This is fine as long as the pads on the hangers don't react to the UV finish. The only thing then to worry about is the accumulation of dust. A better solution (although more costly) would be a cabinet that displays them nicely. Easier to control humidity, minimizes dust, they can't accidently fall to the ground, and dramatic lighting can be used to sffectively display them.

[sloop_john_b]

I have been using the Mandolin Bros. method of wall-hanging for three years now (leather strap on the tuners), without issue or incident (knock on wood). If they can have $35,000 guitars hanging like this for years at a time, I doubt they've ever had any incidents either. No worries about finish marring this way. I also use a very small patch of carpeting attached to the wall behind the guitar's back.

Like so:

I do realize that nails in the wall aren't the most elegant solution, but some nice plant hooks will work well too and look better,

[beatlefreak]

I also use a very small patch of carpeting attached to the wall behind the guitar's back.

That a good idea for hanging guitars.

[kiramdear]

I have been using the Mandolin Bros. method of wall-hanging for three years now, without issue or incident (knock on wood). Like so:

That's my method, too, ever since I started playing. I never had a mishap with it. I have, however seen tons of scars from those normal wall hangers. In fact a few of my otherwise unscarred guitars came to me with hanger marks. Making use of stands is good if there's enough room, unless one has small children and rowdy pets.

Letting them live out of their cases is good because I end up playing them more when I can see them.

[jingle_jangle]

I built a smallish room in my basement, with new wiring and full insulation, halogen lamps, and slatwall, to hold the part of my collection that I want to look at. Slat wall hangers for guitars--which can be pricey--can be found used on eBay. I picked some commercial grade ones up from an out of business music store, for a couple of bucks apiece. Slatwall is inexpensive and easy to install and gives maximum flexibility.

[sashua]

Really liking the idea of slatwall. Never thought of it as being a "home solution" since I automatically default to "guitar store" whenever I see it.

Really though, I am not as concerned about the actuall vertical hanging of the guitars as I am about exposure to the elements over the years. How susceptible are guitars to finish checking with small changes in temperature? A lot of people love the look of checking on a vintage guitar...I don't happen to be among them

[doctorwho]

You could always put the instruments through a rotation cycle ... e.g., three months on display, three months in the case.

[xpitt]

You could always put the instruments through a rotation cycle ... e.g., three months on display, three months in the case.

...Gary, you mean a bit like a "Running Sushi" ?

[doctorwho]

You could always put the instruments through a rotation cycle ... e.g., three months on display, three months in the case.

...Gary, you mean a bit like a "Running Sushi" ?

Sorry, I don't get the allusion!

[xpitt]

Sorry Gary, my silly imagination was maybe Eight Miles High
I had this in mind :

From Munich's "Living Room" : enjoy !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvdDTupP2TU&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfXFKfNnKAc

Imagine one fine Rick after another coming out of the climatic balanced room ( of Paul's ? )to show up for an hour or a day or what time ever and then rotate back in.....

[jsm610]