Bass storage issues!

[K-Funk]

I'm up to six basses now, and had a some questions regarding storing them when not in use. I have a couple of cases that I use, but until I get more, I have some questions regarding stand usage.

Five of my basses have unique finishes- two have natural oil finished bodies and necks (Warwick Thumbs), two have colored oil bodies and natural oil necks (Warwick Fortresses), and one has a polyurethane finished body and a gunstock-oil finished neck ('86 Stingray). I also have a MIM Jazz bass with an all-around poly finish, so I'm not terribly worried about it.

-With these basses, is it OK to keep them in a guitar stand or multi-stand (like a Warwick Rockstand, triple stand, or normal guitar stand) without damage to the finish? Which basses should I be more cautious of, and what types of stands should I avoid?

-Does keeping a bass in a stand affect the soundess of the neck in any way? It's leaning on it's neck for support, I thought this may increase likelihood of warpage or bowing.

-Taking the above two ideas in mind, what would be the best stand for safely storing my babies when not in use?

[Tony G]

If you want the safest way to store each bass, get a hard shell case or a high quality, well padded gig bag for each one and keep them in their case unless they are being played. Stands, in my opinion, are not what I would consider safe long term storage. If you insist on keeping your basses on stands for an extended period of time I recommend either this Hercules stand (http://accessories.musiciansfriend.c...oke?sku=453081) or this Ultimate stand (http://accessories.musiciansfriend.c...and?sku=450561).

[K-Funk]

I definately plan on buying more cases in the near future. Three of my basses are in hardshell cases, but I'll likely be replacing one due to it's inability to properly fit any of my instruments, including the one it was meant for (it's the OHSC for my '96 Thumb NT4). The base padding is good, but the top padding is almost completely flat and makes it somewhat difficult to close. It doesn't even have a cutout for the knobs.

But for now, my three most frequently used basses live in stands, away from sunlight. They aren't "stored" per se, because they get played and used on a daily basis. Would you consider stands unsafe due to a risk of tipping over, or a risk of finish wear/neck warpage?

[MNAirHead]

I know this is not what you're looking to hear..

Put an ad on craigs list and buy some hard cases.. even cracked are better

Build some type of stand to hold your cases

Label the ends.

All of the broken necks I've seen are from sitting on stands.

[()smoke()]

nitrocellulose lacquer reacts to certain stand materials...i don't know specifically whether warwick oil finishes have any issues

as far as stands, i'd opt for wall hangers instead--out of the way, don't tip over, and create only a steady tensile stress in the neck which will result in less strain than leaning the neck onto a stand (albeit the difference is minute, and i'd even say almost irrelevant, but still there)

'off the wall' brand products feature a chemically engineered coating that will not react with nitro--i've spoken to the designer before on the subject, and he's a very knowledgeable and friendly fellow who takes that aspect of his product quite seriously...it's the only hanger i trust with my custom shop les paul

[lousybassplayer]

Cases are the safest way to go for sure, but I gotta say, it sure looks nice having a pile of basses around to decorate the joint. wall hangers are also a cool and pretty safe way to store them, provided you hang them right. That ultimate stand is the absolute bomb, however. Even if you use it strictly for gigs, it folds up really small and locks out strong. I love mine.

[K-Funk]

Yeah, but wall hangers have the downside of dust and sunlight. And if something fails.... smash city.

I'm definately going to hunt down more hardshells. I'm slightly irritated that I have to replace a poorly designed OHSC, because finding a case that snugly fits a Thumb Bass is going to be fun But maybe I could just attempt to modify the case so it's not putting pressure on the bass' knobs?

Any case recommendations? I have a Warwick Fortress One and a Musicman Stingray that need cases at the moment. I also need to find a replacement case for my Thumb BO5, it fits the case but the body is a little insecure. If I can get a new, more snug case for it, I can relocate the Fortress One or Musicman into its old case.

My biggest issue with cases is knobs! Most of them don't have large enough cutaways in the top to accomodate the knobs on my Warwicks, and in the case of an actual Warwick OHSC, has no cutaway at all.

[boabski2k]

I have recently bought a bass stand, which may suit your needs. This cradles the body, not the neck.

http://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/produ...i_guitar_stand

Although I was sceptical about it, it is very stable when the bass is on it, plus it packs away small enough to fit in certain gigbags.

I know this is a uk site, but it is a hercules so shouldn't be too difficult to find across the pond.

Oh yes the foam parts are called "finish friendly" they claim they won't damage any finish

[embellisher]

Originally Posted by ()smoke()

nitrocellulose lacquer reacts to certain stand materials...i don't know specifically whether warwick oil finishes have any issues

as far as stands, i'd opt for wall hangers instead--out of the way, don't tip over, and create only a steady tensile stress in the neck which will result in less strain than leaning the neck onto a stand (albeit the difference is minute, and i'd even say almost irrelevant, but still there)

'off the wall' brand products feature a chemically engineered coating that will not react with nitro--i've spoken to the designer before on the subject, and he's a very knowledgeable and friendly fellow who takes that aspect of his product quite seriously...it's the only hanger i trust with my custom shop les paul

Another fan of wall hangers. All 13 of my basses and all 4 of my guitars are hanging on the wall.

[Tony G]

Originally Posted by K-Funk

Yeah, but wall hangers have the downside of dust and sunlight. And if something fails.... smash city.

I'm definately going to hunt down more hardshells. I'm slightly irritated that I have to replace a poorly designed OHSC, because finding a case that snugly fits a Thumb Bass is going to be fun But maybe I could just attempt to modify the case so it's not putting pressure on the bass' knobs?

Any case recommendations? I have a Warwick Fortress One and a Musicman Stingray that need cases at the moment. I also need to find a replacement case for my Thumb BO5, it fits the case but the body is a little insecure. If I can get a new, more snug case for it, I can relocate the Fortress One or Musicman into its old case.

My biggest issue with cases is knobs! Most of them don't have large enough cutaways in the top to accomodate the knobs on my Warwicks, and in the case of an actual Warwick OHSC, has no cutaway at all.

Don't rule out high quality, well padded gig bags. Cases like the Incase Slim bag, as well as the newer iGIG 515 make some very nice alternatives to hard shell cases. The up side with these is that they will fit your Thumbs probably much better than any hard case will.

[Pilgrim]

After searching for some of the numerous threads discussing this subject....if your question isn't answered....

Your answer is here. Nine instruments stored in less than 12 feet of wall space with a 7' ceiling:

[pedulla-2007]

Hey PILGRIM, that p-bass looks vaguely familiar, did you buy it on ebay. Any way I live in a bad part of Dallas and my house has been broken into before and the band's equipment has been stolen before. I bought two combination gun safes and put them in my closet. The safes weigh about 300 lbs. each and I only keep one high end bass out at a time, with several beaters hanging on the walls. Each of my high end basses have paid for themselves, and I would hate to lose one of them. They can have the amps but the basses have sentimental value

[joeyl]

I've got a question about the Ultimate Genesis 100 and the Hercules. I bought an Ultimate and was looking at the way the bass hangs: isn't that forcing the neck into a forward bow since the bass is resting slanted in the stand? Anybody who leaves their bass hanging there for a long period of time see any kind of permanent forward bow?

[two fingers]

+1 wall hangers

[megadan]

When I got up to 7 basses (!) I went out and got one of those 7 guitar racks, came in a nice road case and it holds everything pretty well:

Like these, but bigger:

[JTE]

Originally Posted by joeyl

I've got a question about the Ultimate Genesis 100 and the Hercules. I bought an Ultimate and was looking at the way the bass hangs: isn't that forcing the neck into a forward bow since the bass is resting slanted in the stand? Anybody who leaves their bass hanging there for a long period of time see any kind of permanent forward bow?

No, unless your bass has a really flimsy neck and a crappy truss rod.

jte

[bass12]

I don't think you have to worry about your bass necks warping from the basses being on stands. Think about it - almost all of the weight is being distributed to the body. Bass necks are not made out of Play-doh - you're probably more likely to get neck warpage from string tension! If you hang a bass and it's a bolt-on, the neck might begin to separate from the body, what with all of that weight pulling down on the joint! I get the feeling you're a bit on the obsessive side (which I can relate to). If you place your stands in safe places where they won't get knocked over, then no harm done. As for the finishes on your necks, as long as they aren't nitrocellulose you should be fine (I've had several Warwicks on stands for years without any problems).

[joeyl]

thanks for the replies, yes I am obsessive about it since my last Fender had a flimsy neck that could barely stay straight even with the rod maxxed out (and that's an american with the graphite reinforcements) but this one has a warmoth neck. So it should be ok