Cold shipped 4003 question

incubus2432 · Post by **incubus2432** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 5:50 pm

I just bought a 4003s8 that is being shipped from Florida to me in Ohio. It is expected to arrive on Thursday and the temps here are supposed to be in the mid 30's (give or take). I know that when it is freezing that you should wait at least 24 hrs. before opening the case to prevent paint damage but what are some opinions on my situation?
I could wait but if I don't have to then I won't

jps · Post by **jps** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 6:02 pm

If the box feels cold, I'd wait.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 6:08 pm

My 660-12 came from Wisconsin just before Xmas, to SF via Next Day Air. Up there at 35K feet, it's cold...

I opened the case after 24 hours and it was still freezing inside. I gave it another 24 and it was fine. But it still took another couple of days indoors before the joint reflection between the neck and the bouts showed itself to be dead flat.

jeff_ulmer · Post by **jeff_ulmer** » Wed Jan 05, 2005 5:13 am

If you are concerned, just leave it in the box for a couple of days. There is nothing worse than the sound of finish cracking...

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Wed Jan 05, 2005 5:35 am

I live in Ma. and have never cracked a finish in over 35 years and wait at the most an hour or so, I was told to open the cover a few inches and close it again immediately to let a little warm air in the case to speed the warm up process. If a guitar has been in an airplane I might wait a few hours no more. I have never heard of waiting 2 days before in my life except in this forum, I think it's paranoa. I've driven to gigs with my basses in the trunk for hours and never had problems, I am careful though.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Wed Jan 05, 2005 7:54 am

You're not careful...you're LUCKY.

This is IMO, more important with a new guitar. Wood is an organic material. It is constantly expanding and contracting, gaining and losing moisture, and it takes some time to stabilize after it's fashioned into a guitar. When it's coated with a material that doesn't "breathe" readily, that also expands and contracts at a different rate than the wood itself, radical and rapid temperature and/or humidity changes have the potential of wreaking havoc with the finish.

Why take a chance? It takes a dozen days to properly finish a Ric. Why destroy all that beautiful work in a few hours through carelessness? Respect for one's well-crafted instrument is not "paranoia" (sp).

johnhall · Post by **johnhall** » Wed Jan 05, 2005 8:58 am

Like he said, you're very lucky. I've watched first hand as the instrument's finish cracked after being in the trunk of a car or back of a truck in cold weather.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Wed Jan 05, 2005 10:54 am

I don't consider myself lucky except for maybe a few times, I do not immediately open a case after it's been in a cold trunk unless I absolutely have to and I try not to leave basses in trunks, they usually ride in the car with me but I don't wait 2 days either to open them, I'd have to get to the gigs pretty early. I wait as long as possible and use the cover trick if the basses are cold. I understand that wood and paint expand at different rates and consider myself prudent with my basses, that's why I've had no problems. I feel how cold the case is when I first bring it in, that is a good indication of how cold the bass itself is. When you've done one nighters in New England for 35 years you learn some tricks. I also usually use my 96 jetglo which was kind of beat when I bought it, but I'm still careful with it.

incubus2432 · Post by **incubus2432** » Wed Jan 05, 2005 11:56 am

Well....thanks for the replies.

Having a guitar in a case in the trunk for a few hours and opening it is different then having it shipped through cold weather for days and popping it open in a 75 degree house. When a guitar is put in a case....it and the case are at room temperature and even if it is in a cold trunk for a few hours it won't be that cold when you remove it due to the somewhat insulated case and temperature retention of the guitar itself. When it is in the cold for several days the guitar can get as cold as the air outside and "shocking" it to room temperature could be a big problem I would think.

I understand these concerns....what I was trying to ask is....what about when it is 35-40 degrees out (literally not freezing)? I'll just play it by ear and see how cold the case is when it gets here and check the guitar temp with a quick blast of the thermal laser. I'd wait rather than damage it but would like to test it before my next gig in a few days.

johnhall · Post by **johnhall** » Wed Jan 05, 2005 12:09 pm

Mid 30's is not going to bother the instrument.

bottom4 · Post by **bottom4** » Wed Jan 05, 2005 12:18 pm

Brian - when I received my S5 last winter I waited the recommended 48 hrs. I figured the pain of waiting those few extra hours was going to be far less than the pain of watching a NEW 4003 S/5 JG BT check in front of my eyes.

Also, IMO I don't think feeling the temperature of the outside of the case is a fair indication of the temp inside. The cold radiates inside that case! Just wait it out - you can do it!

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Wed Jan 05, 2005 12:18 pm

Wow, Brian..."quick blast of the thermal laser?" And you're asking US??? Sheeshhh...

incubus2432 · Post by **incubus2432** » Wed Jan 05, 2005 12:32 pm

Yeah I guess I should of said "laser thermometer"......not even sure what a thermal laser is (but I know that I want one)

Andy.....I agree that the outside temp of the case could be misleading......I'm not sure what I meant

Mr. Hall....thanks, that's kind of what I figured (big difference between -20 and 35) and it's very good to see your recent contributions to the forum.

Thanks again for the replies.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Wed Jan 05, 2005 3:12 pm

Yes I would never open a case with a bass that was -20 degrees of course, It does not get lower than 20 degrees here in Ma. very often, average is probably 25-35 here in the winter.
But I will wait when my 4003FL Blueboy arrives, hahah!

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Wed Jan 05, 2005 3:16 pm

The case will warm up a lot faster than the bass on the inside, I mean feel it when it first is brought inside, the outside will warm up quickly, it can only be used an an indication for a couple of minutes. Hey what do you know Andy you live in Florida!