Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I know this goes around every year about this time, but I can't remember what the general consensus is.
I have a bass coming from California to Pennsylvania. The temps in PA over the next week will be about 40-60 deg.
How long should I wait before opening the box?

Thanks,
Kevin

I'm sure there are those much more savvy than I, but I think the general rule of thumb is long enough for the case to come reasonably close to room temperature.

Having said that, the first time I bought a lacquer-finished guitar, I had it out of the box and playing for a half an hour before I ever saw the little red tag on the case handle saying to let it adjust to the temp . Never had any ill effects. Not sure how much more or less sensitive conversion varnish or whatever Ric calls the finishes might be....

Bill

Kevin , I think most people wait at least 2 days. I try and get to 3, but never seem to get there...

Wow, 3 days! I'll probably burn the cardboard off with my eyes from staring at it that long!

I was thinking 24 hours, but I don't want to risk anything bad!

48 hours if it has been really cold. I take it out of the box after about 24 hours but keep the case closed for another 24.

Quote - "Wow, 3 days! I'll probably burn the cardboard off with my eyes from staring at it that long!"

ROFLMAO. That's brilliant. I remember getting my first CS; I didn't know anything about leaving it in the box, and it was freezing when I got it, and it came into a boiling hot room. I'm sure it didn't help the finish at all (I did have a few problems) , although being a CS it was probably past helping anyway. I sometimes wonder if the paint on those was designed to moult at specific times of the year...

Take it out of the box and when it get to room temp.(2/3 hrs.) open it up...and play it..if it was shipped by train/truck or plane, they do not have heaters in them, so take that into account

3 days!!!!!

When transporting my basses (like to gigs - indoor vs. outdoor). I have always used the couple hours in the case methodology (when possible). I also let the bass sit in the case, open, for a while and or on a stand. Usually 10 to 20 min depending on temp differences. Just to get everything to ambient before tuning for the first time.

ahhhhhhhhh, it depends upon the type of aircraft that the item is shipped in.

no heaters-but the temp does not drop to -30F @ 36K ft...

I leave my cases shut for at least two days after I have flown and they have been in the hold.

Thanks everyone!

It's being shipped using UPS. Would they use a plane for part of the trip? If not, it shouldn't go below 40 deg for any extended length of time.
Either way, I'll leave it in the box for one day, and then in just the case for another.

Anyone have a spare straight jacket?

Even if I'd been shipping her in the insulated Calzone case I'd still say at least a day in the box, and another in the case.

I was lucky, I was away on business for the two days the v63 sat in the case here ...