Help! Long Term Storage Of Guitars

[ProtoChicken]

Hey guys,

As I approach the end of getting the house set up for the baby I've realized we really don't have the room for all of my guitars. Combine that with the fact that now that I've finally got two EBMM's and will have a 3rd before the year is over, I really don't envision myself playing any of my other guitars anytime soon

I will be moving them into the basement, (it feels kind of weird closing the case on guitars, some of which I've been playing for almost 20 years, not knowing if I'll ever open them again) and was wondering if there were any specific things I should do. Given that I'm in New England they will go through some pretty severe temperature and humidity changes.

I was thinking that they may be better off disassembled and stored in airtight plastic containers than they would be if I just left them in their hardshells. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[MikeVt]

My playing was on the backburner for almost 10 years not too long ago (before I bought my first EBMM). As a fellow New Englander, I kept my prized Iby and Gibby in the basement - and they suffered no ill effects. As long as your basement isn't too damp, I would think that they'd be safer there, as the temp and humidity is probably more constant season to season. However, I'm really not an expert on this topic. I'd love to hear what others have to say.

Mike

 

[JP7Nomad]

If you can keep them somewhere where the temperature and humidity doesn't fluctuate too much, they'll be great there. Not sure if your basement is prone to that, but it's probably a better idea to keep them under your bed, maybe in a closet or something like that.

 

[TNT]

With the question of temperature, humidity, etc. . . out of the way, then the question is set up!!

If you are talking about "serious" downtime, then the only way to be sure that the guitars will not warp or be damaged by long term sitting is to dis-assemble. Oil all the metal parts with "Break Free" and pack away.

If it is a shorter time, then you can leave set up (as you would be playing it), do not loosen strings), put Break Free on the metal parts, and keep in the case. Every once in a while check on it to make sure that the strings are tuned (correct tension on the neck), the neck is straight, etc. . .

 

[Astrofreq]

Sell 'em.

 

[tommyindelaware]

if you do decide to dis-assemble them.......it is imperative that you loosen the truss rod fully. if you store away a neck unstrung......& you leave the truss rod tightened...it WILL cause the neck to upbow.

i personally feel you should leave the guitars setup for normal playing action & string tension.........w/ the hope that the truss rod tension & the string tension will actually hold the neck in place. store in a hard case ..........& check on them every few months.where you store them must be a stable place as far as humidity is concerned.40-60%.
if you leave them unchecked for a long period of time .......your inviting disaster.

i would not recommend taking them apart.

call george @ gruhn guitars. they are the world's foremost experts in this field.
615 256-2033

 

[Lance Romance]

Don't store them anywhere you personally wouldn't be happy living 24/7. If your basement is cold or damp, look for another place. Leave them strung to pitch! In an ideal world, they like to be stored headstock-up in their cases. Inspect them occasionally to nip any potential problems in the bud. If you have to store them in the basemewnt, get them off the floor and not against an outside wall.
P.S. Taking the strings off without loosening the trussrod makes the neck backbow. Don't do it.

 

[Jack FFR1846]

I stored my 69 Guild from about the mid 80's till a year and a half ago under my bed in its case (that being in about 4 different houses). When I started playing again, it needed strings and a setup and is fine.

jack

 

[dwells]

i can look after em for you