Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I have a 4003FL I am storing away for awhile. I was wondering if I should be doing anything special before I just lock it up in my vintage case and put it in the basement. Any advice?

What's the microclimate in your basement? In most cases that's the last place I'd store a treasured instrument.

Don't let it get too damp or too wet. Otherwise it should keep just fine. The humidity should be around 50%. Some people like to detune or even remove the strings. I don't think that is necessary. Many of my basses sat for more than 10 years strung and tuned with no il-effect.

You can store it in my studio if you like !!

...or too cold or too hot. Basements have the worst combinations of dampness and temperature. My basement in Virginia was completely wacky with its extremes. Chicago basements, unless insulated and heated well, are really nasty. I'm writing this while seated on the lower level (basement) of my cottage in California, which is tucked into a hillside and is cold in the front, and warm in back...

Microclimates, as I queried. Food for thought...

a case under the bed is a good place to store an instrument ...

I agree with Jeff, under the bed is just about the best place

if you do put it in a basement make sure the basement has a sub pump and get the bass above the floor and run a dehumidifier in the summer and a humidifier in the winter ...

My Ricks are mostly under the bed. I keep one out and rotate them through weekly.

But I've got to buy more beds soon.

By popular vote that's the basement out then...

Under the bed.
Preferably one that doesn't get used....

Mine are under beds and in closets.

climate controlled, electronically secured storage.

My general rule of thumb is anyplace your body is comfortable, your instrument should be OK in. Possible exception with acoustic guitars.

I understand alot of basements are damp and all that jazz. But what about in houses where the basement might as well be another part of the house. One that stays pretty constant with the upper levels as far as temp goes.

My poor bases. My house is always either cold or warm. Cause my parents cant agree on what to put it at. So during the day only the step dad is home and its cold. At night it gets warm because only my mother is home. I never thought if it would hurt it much tho.

humidity is more of a problem than temperature ... low humidity specifically ... 50% humidity is ideal ... I think the range is above 30% and below 80% ... maybe someone from Ric can chime in with a more accurate take on the humidity levels ...