Long-term rig storage advice

JoePlaysDaBass · #1 12-01-2010, 01:28 PM

Hi, all. Next week I am leaving to start Naval basc training. All of my equipment will be left in my parents' unfinished basement.

My rig consists of a Little Mark II, a GK 210, and a GK 115. Both of the cabs are carpet finish.

I kept all the original packaging for the LMII, so I think that's covered. My plan was to put the 115 (with casters) on the ground, and cover it with a trash bag. On top of that, I'll put the 210 and slip a trash bag over both cabs. The re-packaged Little Mark will go on top, and everything will have a refrigerator box slipped over it.

This seems like a great idea to me, but does anyone have a better one? Should I buy silica gel packets and put them in, too?

This will mostly be in storage for six years, so I want to be sure I don't mess it up. Thanks in advance for any help and advice.

R. Laevinus · #2 12-01-2010, 01:35 PM

Ouch, six years with no bass? You're a braver man than I!

I think you're on the right track, but I'd personally put the 1x15 up on a couple of 4x4's, just in case. Actually, for that long, I'd try to put both cabs on a storage shelf, or table, or something, just in case the basement floods. Y'never know.

I'd personally go for some silica gel in the amp packaging and taped to the grills of the cabs, just to be 100% sure, but I'm fairly sure that that's overkill.

I like overkill, though.

thesilence · #3 12-01-2010, 01:37 PM

You can store it at my house I'll take good care of it

thesilence · #4 12-01-2010, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R. Laevinus

Ouch, six years with no bass? You're a braver man than I!

I think you're on the right track, but I'd personally put the 1x15 up on a couple of 4x4's, just in case. Actually, for that long, I'd try to put both cabs on a storage shelf, or table, or something, just in case the basement floods. Y'never know.

I'd personally go for some silica gel in the amp packaging and taped to the grills of the cabs, just to be 100% sure, but I'm fairly sure that that's overkill.

I like overkill, though.

I'm an engineering major and one thing that is always hammered into our brains is to always over-engineer everything (i.e. overkill, better safe than sorry)

hotrodjohn · #5 12-01-2010, 01:40 PM

First of all, thank you in advance for your service.

I would be leary of leaving equipment of any sort in an unfinished basement because of humidity and temperature concerns for 6 years. What part of the country are you? The climate really matters. I would look for some other climate controlled storage option. Might also consider selling them - when you get back, you can reward yourself with a shopping spree for some new state-of-the-art gear. I am sure one your TB bros will give you a fair price for the amps.

Any basses you have, I would throw in the back of a closet and leave them tuned to pitch.

Good Luck!

dalkowski · #6 12-01-2010, 01:42 PM

Absolutely get that gear high up off the ground.

And don't forget to protect against varmints as well, b/c y'never know.

The "sell your gear" option has its appeal...

Good luck in basic and thank you for your service.

UnityGain · #7 12-01-2010, 01:48 PM

Good point about varmints. Be sure to block up (thoroughly) any port holes. Insides of cabs with all that soft insulation would be party time central for mice.

Defiantly get it off the ground a few inches.

R. Laevinus · #8 12-01-2010, 01:51 PM

Oh - and if the cabs have tube ports that aren't behind a grill, make sure to block them, or you might have a family of mice in there when you get home.

On reflection, I'd also lose the fridge box, for the same reason. Just too tempting for the little critters. Don't go for poison though, 'cause they might die next to the cab and ruin it.

I'd also consider selling. Amp technology seems to be advancing pretty fast - six years might end up being a loooong time. Y'never know, your gear might be hopelessly out of date by then.

KJung · #9 12-01-2010, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoePlaysDaBass

Hi, all. Next week I am leaving to start Naval basc training. All of my equipment will be left in my parents' unfinished basement.

My rig consists of a Little Mark II, a GK 210, and a GK 115. Both of the cabs are carpet finish.

I kept all the original packaging for the LMII, so I think that's covered. My plan was to put the 115 (with casters) on the ground, and cover it with a trash bag. On top of that, I'll put the 210 and slip a trash bag over both cabs. The re-packaged Little Mark will go on top, and everything will have a refrigerator box slipped over it.

This seems like a great idea to me, but does anyone have a better one? Should I buy silica gel packets and put them in, too?

This will mostly be in storage for six years, so I want to be sure I don't mess it up. Thanks in advance for any help and advice.

Another way to think about this. In six years, there will be much better stuff available at a lower price, and the resale on your rig will be quite low.

If you really are going to be gone for 6 years, sell the rig (the money should come in handy). When you get back, you will most likely be in a better financial position (if you've saved your pennies anyway), and there will be new AMAZING stuff out there.

Just a thought and another option, since you asked

blastjv · #10 12-01-2010, 02:07 PM

Honestly (and no offense intended), but your gear is nice, but it's not rare or vintage, so you might really consider just selling it now and re-buying or replacing it 6 years from now. I'm sure you, like most folks these days, can use the cash, and your folks can probably use the extra space in thier basement.

Having said that, if you have some sentimental attachment to this rig (understandable, I'm like that about certain things and not at all like that about others), I'd suggest doing everything suggested already, with the addition of double bagging each piece with heavy duty contractor bags duct taped air tight. Probably $10 worth of insurance that might save you many hundreds of dollars if the basement floods or just gets real humid.

-JV

sleepytime · #11 12-01-2010, 03:15 PM

If I am not mistaken, it is Navy SOP to pack things in mothballs for longterm storage.

BassmanPaul · #12 12-01-2010, 03:20 PM

I'm firmly in the sell the stuff camp. Ken is right on the mark. Leaving a piece of electronics unpowered for that length of time is not healthy for it.

JoePlaysDaBass · #13 12-02-2010, 06:48 PM

Thanks for the advce, all. I consdered selling, but I do seriously love my rig. Even if I end up bying a new setup down the road, I will have a backup/ one for rehersal, one for home type setup.

It all goes into storage this weekend. Pictures will be posted when I'm done.

bassist4dalord · #14 12-02-2010, 06:56 PM

Thank you for your service.

Just another +1 to selling it.

skruch · #15 12-02-2010, 07:00 PM

Do not use Neil Young's place!

zombywoof5050 · #16 12-02-2010, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

Leaving a piece of electronics unpowered for that length of time is not healthy for it.

I read that the electrolytic capacitors can 'dry up' and go bad if an amp sits too long without being powered on occasionally.

billfitzmaurice · #17 12-02-2010, 08:53 PM

Don't leave anything in a basement if there's any possibility of water damage from flooding.

Pilgrim · #18 12-02-2010, 09:01 PM

My 63P and Bassman amp sat for 23 years... no special packaging, just sitting in a bedroom. When I got them back I replaced the caps just 'cause I thought I should... but it all worked fine. Bass was left in its case tuned to normal tension. Sitting doesn't necessarily hurt electronics.

**f64** · #19 12-02-2010, 09:29 PM

Basements can be tough on equipment no matter how they are protected. Think of it this way: living space is environmentally conditioned by having heat and AC which drives off moisture. Fresh air is often exchanged by opening windows that removes pollutants and prevents them from concentrating. Basements usually suffer from both moisture and lack of air flow. Another issue making matters worse is that for the first 5 years or so poured concrete floors and cinder blocks give off a mild acidic discharge which forms as a gas. Because of the lack of ventilation the gas concentrates. It can begin the pitting process on any unprotected metal surface. Painted surfaces seem to loose their gloss and become etched.
If you have an option here I'd keep them in a bedroom closet.

zombywoof5050 · #20 12-02-2010, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

My 63P and Bassman amp sat for 23 years... no special packaging, just sitting in a bedroom. When I got them back I replaced the caps just 'cause I thought I should... but it all worked fine. Bass was left in its case tuned to normal tension. Sitting doesn't necessarily hurt electronics.

You powered it on and "it all worked fine", and then you replaced the caps? Or did you replace the caps before powering it on?

I read (on amp repair forums) about cases where an amp worked fine, and then after sitting too long it 'blew up' when powered on because the caps had gone bad. Other techs on the same forums added that when an amp sits too long like that, it's better to bring up the voltage slowly with a variac to 'reform' the caps (and perhaps even remove the caps and reform them out of circuit). I have an old Crown DC300A II that's been sitting for years, that worked perfectly before, but now I'm afraid to turn it on for fear that it'll blow up.

I guess it could go either way, it may work fine or it may not.

If it were mine, I'd probably sell it before leaving. There will probably be some cool new amps six years from now. Treat yourself to one of those when you get back.