Too hot or too cold?

[thumbzilla]

Sometimes I leave my bass in my car overnight (all locked up and out of sight!). Now that the weather is getting colder, I have wondered if this could be bad for for it? I thought about condensation on the electronics coming from cold outside to warm inside, but I never saw the reverse last summer. Any thoughts? Thanks!

[BurningSkies]

Yes, it can be bad for your bass. Especially the finish. The temperature change causes the wood to expand and contract, while most poly/nitro finishes don't expand or contract at the same rate...thus causing cracks in the finish (sometimes extreme). This is why its called weather checking. I had an old Ibanez finish shatter due to a very cold car trip and a very hot stage temp.

My 73 P has a much milder version:

[csholtmeier]

Well I'm pretty sure they don't use heated trailers to ship basses in the winter time.

When you bring it inside after being in the cold, don't open the case for about an hour. Slows the temperature change.

[BurningSkies]

Originally Posted by csholtmeier

Well I'm pretty sure they don't use heated trailers to ship basses in the winter time.

When you bring it inside after being in the cold, don't open the case for about an hour. Slows the temperature change.

Many manufacturers suggest leaving the instrument to acclamate for up to 24 hours before opening the case.

[Deep]

If it's left outside in the cold for long periods it's no problem until it's brought into a hot club or home. Bring it in......let it stay in the case until the case feels like the temperature of the room. Of course...we're talking EXTREME temperature changes here. I've seen (and actually heard lol) the checking occur right in front of me when a guitarist pulled out his guitar. Again...it was extremely cold outside and that guitar should have been in the car with him with the heat on......not in the trunk since he was playing that night.

[Deep]

Originally Posted by Joshua

I try not to leave my bass anywhere that I wouldn't want to be left.

+1 Exactly how I see it.

[Stuggi]

Originally Posted by Joshua

I try not to leave my bass anywhere that I wouldn't want to be left.

+1

[Luis Fabara]

Originally Posted by Stuggi

+1

+2

[EADG mx]

Originally Posted by Joshua

I try not to leave my bass anywhere that I wouldn't want to be left.

This is a good general rule to use for any gear.


Temperature changes, aside from damaging the finish, can also warp your neck. It's usually fixable, but why take the time when you don't have to?

Also consider your electronics.. what happens if you freeze a bottle of water, take it out of the freezer, and leave it on the table? Condensation due to a temperature change. Basically it's water in your electronics.. not a good combination.

[vindy500]

i left my bass in a friends boot once, the next day the bridge fealt like ice, the neck was wet and freezing cold, the body was cold and the strings felt like ice, it kept losing tune until it was warm again...

[spudmaster34]

Originally Posted by Luis Fabara

+2

+3