Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I am eagerly awaiting delivery of my first Ric tomorrow (a 660/12 MG). The guy at Dave's Guitars told me that due to cold weather, I can take the guitar out of the shipping box, but should not open the case for at least 24 hours. It's going to be painful to have a new Ric in my home and not be able to look at it, let alone play it!

The temperatures here tomorrow are expected to be in the mid 40s (above average for Chicago in February). However, it will be colder in the morning (20s) and who knows how long the box will be in the UPS truck. I don't want to harm the guitar in any way, but what could happen if I opened it up right away? Could I do any serious damage?

Thanks -- it's great to be here!

Scott Bates
Evanston IL

I'm sure you'll receive some great advice here Scott, but I'll give you mine now.

If it were a semi-hollow, or an acoustic I would wait 5 or 6 hours with the guitar in the case at room temperature (70 degrees). I would probably then crack the case for a bit and let the guitar acclimate.

However, you are receiving a solidbody 660/12. While I would not immediately rip the guitar out of the box and case, I certainly wouldn't wait 24 hours. Finish checking would be more of a concern (if this practice is done on a regular basis), than any structural concern. My advice is let the guitar sit in the case for a couple of hours at room temp...then crack the case for a bit...then enjoy your new baby. Best of luck and congratulations.

I can tell you your guitar will be exposed to the worst of the cold during the night and until delivery. It will remain in a semi in transit until about 5 am then it is brought into an unheated warehouse and loaded into your local trucks. which of the back end is not heated at all. ( I work at fedex and have checked jobs out at UPS)
Just be careful. the ric warranty has a lot of stipulations and I think opening it n the first 24 is actually one of them...
I do not know that first hand (never read the "contract of warranty") just from hearsay...

the case acts as a buffer of acclimation, it slows the heating process. therefore the tempo change is more gradual and safer - so the reasoning is logical.

JP

The warranty does not specifically cover this case:

RIC Warranty

However, your dealer's advice is good as it takes quite a long time for a completely frozen guitar to warm up. The problem is that you really don't know how long the instrument might have been exposed to extreme cold.

Many years ago a former German distributor brought his guitars to the Frankfurt trade show, leaving them in a truck outside in the snow for several days. They opened the boxes and hung the guitars immediately under the warm display lighting. Over the next few days, I watched major finish cracks radiate throughout the surface of every guitar.

Well, I guess that settles the issue! I'll wait the full 24 hours before cracking the case.

I've been lurking on the Ric Forum for a couple months now, and really appreciate the wealth of information that's provided here. It's also very cool that John Hall is a contributor, and I feel honored that he has chimed in on my first post!

The obvious solution that you all have overlooked is this. Simply turn off the heat in your home and open the windows. Now, open up that case and play! What are you waiting for?

Great idea James!

Maybe I should just open it and play outside in the backyard. I could use my little battery-powered Vox AC-1.

Scott, remember that even thought the wood used on a guitar is actaully 'dead', it is still capable of conducting moisture.
Treat it well. If someone says wait 24 hours, then I would wait 24 hours. It won't hurt.
Moisture and temperature fluctuations are woods biggest enemies.
Hope this helps and more importantly, I hope you enjoy your guitar and its music!
Mike

I appreciate your comments Mike. I'm waiting -- only about 12 more hours to go. Sure is a nice hardshell case...

When I took delivery of my 360/12 in February I immediately took the boxed up guitar to the coldest room in my house. After one beer (and really psyching myself out continuously) I would move the box six feet toward the warmest room. After about four beers I made it there. I opened the lid of the box, had another beer. Removed the guitar in its case, had another beer. Opened the case, had another beer. By that time, the instrument was ready to be picked up and gazed upon. Then it was time to really start celebrating. This past winter in Pennsylvania was one of the coldest ever.

Jeeeeze Joe...I would have barfed by the time I got the case open!!
Sure glad I don't have to have heated door jambs around here!!
HAW!

Seven beers? Here in Wisconsin, we call that taking it easy.