How to properly store/clean a guitar for long term storage

busta_bird · #1 08-22-2010, 11:29 AM

So if I play guitar, I tend to go for my Splattercaster instead of my Gibson RD Reissue mainly because of the rarity of the instrument. I want clean it and do whatever is necessary to preserve it as I plan on throwing it in a case and sticking it in a closet. What steps do I need to take to ensure that in 10 year I'll pull it out and it's still in great condition?

Dirk Diggler · #2 08-22-2010, 11:39 AM

My best advice is clean it and open it up at least 2 times a year, both fingerboard and any exposed wood should be cleaned and oiled. I really like Howard's Feed n Wax for the body and lemon oil for the fingerboard. You should also check the neck that often too depending on how climate controlled the storage area is for humidity.

IMHO guitars are meant to be played not collected, but that's me I guess.

Good luck,
Dirk

**Staccato** · #3 08-22-2010, 11:42 AM

Air conditioning, proper humidity, and no children within a mile of your instruments. And, preferably-check the neck as Dirk stated...

Tmw2011 · #4 03-17-2011, 12:20 PM

Sorry to necro the thread but I have a similar question, and mine deals with more of a long term storage issue.

(Warning: Raging sentimenal crap to follow)

The long and short of is is that my wife is going to be popping out my spawn in May 2011. As a 'birthday' gift, I'm going to be either getting a 2001 Fender P, have one built custom, or putting a clone together from decent parts myself, and slapping an engraved neckplate on it with his name and B-day (I may wait towards the end of the year to find out if he's left handed, but that's a bridge I'll burn when I get to it.) I plan to store it until his 14th-15th birthday (when he can handle a full size scale bass) and then give it to him (we're planning to start him on instruments long before, including piano lessons when he reaches that point, and probably bass and guitar as as he gets older). He's my first born, and I really want to give him something special to commemorate both the day of his birth and the instrument I've loved to play for the last 25 years.

I know, I know, a good instrument shouldn't be shut away, but is meant to be played. But given the twists and turns that life affords us, I'd like to have a basically brand new beast for him for his teen years from his birth year as a legacy. True, I could wait until that time and get something made in 2011 on eBay or whatever assumes it's mantle, but that's just not the same.

So, if I wanted to do this and store it in a hardshell case (and still have it in new/playable condition) after that amount of time, while touching & handling it as little as possible, does anyone have any ideas on what path I can take for this?

Thanks
-Todd

(If someone has done this already, sorry not trying to copycat your idea, it's just something that came to me the last few days when dicussing the upcoming event with my wife, while trying to convince her that my bassic (pardon the pun) needs are still there while we're hemmoraging money on baby stuff...

)

**colcifer** · #5 03-17-2011, 02:13 PM

What if he prefers Js?

Tmw2011 · #6 03-17-2011, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colcifer

What if he prefers Js?

Then he can put it in the closet for another 15 years until he starts thinking to himself... "Man, I could really use the PBass sound in this mix... Where am I going to come up with a P? Oh, wait."

**colcifer** · #7 03-17-2011, 04:22 PM

It's a touching thing to do, I must say.

Tmw2011 · #8 03-18-2011, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colcifer

It's a touching thing to do, I must say.

Thanks... Its one of those things where I want him to start out with more opportunities than I had, yadda yadda yadda, and I'll be in my mid 50's by the time he turns 15, so I'll likely be all sorts of out of touch with the kids 'these days' when the time comes (Get off my lawn!

)...

It's funny you mention jazzes though... I've been pretty much a Pbass man for the last 25 years, but right now I'm GASing hardcore for a good Fender Jazz... Have to put that on hold til after the kid is squirted out and I take care of his bass first.

tat2jim · #9 03-19-2011, 05:51 AM

Pack them real well and send to me.

Munjibunga · #10 03-20-2011, 01:08 AM

Just dip it in cosmoline and wrap it in a trash bag.

Downunderwonder · #11 03-20-2011, 09:19 AM

It's a nice idea but how would you feel if your Dad had been a clarinettist? See why it's not such a hot idea?

When I was a kid there was a violin in the house that belonged to my Great Grandfather. I was asked if I wanted to play it. If it hadn't been a loaded question I would have said gimme some drums. Instead I was the good son. Hated that thing, it just wasn't me.

pasta4lnch · #12 03-20-2011, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colcifer

What if he prefers Js?

HYSTERICAL!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tmw2011

Then he can put it in the closet for another 15 years until he starts thinking to himself...

just stick HIM in the closet until he comes to his senses!

the bass is a fantastic idea BTW. got me thinking ... I have my 1st coming in a few months too ...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downunderwonder

It's a nice idea but how would you feel if your Dad had been a clarinettist? See why it's not such a hot idea?

then it's just a nice sentimental gift from dad! I was a PITA when I was a kid, but having lost my father 10 years ago I treasure everything that he ever gave me - really any reminder of him.

treekiller · #13 03-20-2011, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colcifer

What if he prefers Js?

Kick him out of the house!!!