How hot is too hot?

[Rathead123]

Ive read alittle about heat related problems, cracked finishes, action changing, neck warping etc, due too temperature changes. My situation is, my practice room building is often 90-95-f, I have A.C. but it'll take a couple hr's to cool down. So I get started anyway despite the heat, so the cool down is over a period of time. So Im I making a mistake storing them, [basses], in the room all the time in the heat? Or is it better storing in the house, "A.C." at 70-75? I was afraid moving to differant temps was worse than storing in heat, but storing in the heat cant be good. Storing only involves a couple days as we'are out giging twice a week anyway, some gigs are inside, with A.C., but we do "hot' gigs some inside, no A.C. and some outside where its 95-100.."whew".

[Jazzdogg]

Wood expands and contracts in response to changes in temperature and humidity, and the exposed surfaces of the wood expand and contract more readily than the unexposed core. When the changes are rapid or frequent, damage is far more likely than when changes are slow and infrequent. Wood is less likely to warp, split, or check when stored under consistent conditions, and more likely to become damaged when exposed to extreme conditions or fluctuating conditions.

Repeatedly storing your bass where it's hot, cranking up the A/C to rehearse, and then shutting off the A/C when you're done is potentially damaging to the wood (especially the neck) and the finish - especially if the A/C is allowed to blow directly on your bass.

[Thunderthumbs73]

Originally Posted by Rathead123

Ive read alittle about heat related problems, cracked finishes, action changing, neck warping etc, due too temperature changes. My situation is, my practice room building is often 90-95-f, I have A.C. but it'll take a couple hr's to cool down. So I get started anyway despite the heat, so the cool down is over a period of time. So Im I making a mistake storing them, [basses], in the room all the time in the heat? Or is it better storing in the house, "A.C." at 70-75? I was afraid moving to differant temps was worse than storing in heat, but storing in the heat cant be good. Storing only involves a couple days as we'are out giging twice a week anyway, some gigs are inside, with A.C., but we do "hot' gigs some inside, no A.C. and some outside where its 95-100.."whew".

Store the basses at the house. I personally would *never, never, never* leave my basses in the room you describe for both heat/humidity as well as theft. A hot gig once in a while is ok- you're out three/four hours, but a hot storage space is another matter altogether.

I've never had any heat-related problems you mention as possibilities, but then again, I've never left my instruments (or amps, or speaker cabs) in heat like that for that long.

My basic sense on it is if it's too hot/cold for you in normal clothes to be comfortable in, then it's gonna be bad for your gear in short/long term storage. Yes, I'm anal-retentive about my stuff, but I worked hard to pay for it, and again never had any problems you mention.

Good luck with it!

[Pilgrim]

Simple. If you aren't comfortable, the instrument isn't comfortable.

[Rathead123]

Thanks to all, I've allready moved them inside the house anyway.. just aint gonna leave em in the hot building anymore...