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Affect on neck: keeping basses in case vs on a stand

improvpwnd

improvpwnd

Jun 20, 2000
976
8
San Francisco, California
#1
When not being played, my basses and guitars go back in their case. I used to think it helped keep the neck straight -- not only as a physical 'cast,' but also keeping the instrument away from any fluctuating humidity in the air. I also like the fact that my instruments stay dust free when in a case.

But, I pick up my instrument more when its on a stand, staring back at me constantly. I practice more... I write more when its on a stand.

So, does it keep the neck more straight? Does humidity affect it less when in the case? What do you guys think? Where do you keep your instrument when its not being used and why?
 
#3
So, does it keep the neck more straight?

No.

Does humidity affect it less when in the case?

Do you have a gas tight case? If not, no.

Answer: Keep it in the case anyway to protect it from accidents.
 
#4
Stand, always (unless in transit).

No idea about the effect on the neck. I'd rather play an instrument twice as much and have to replace it twice as often than let it sit pristine in a case. If I collected instruments or was a pro with a more substantial investment in my gear it would be a different story, but my experience matches yours: if it's on a stand it goes in my hand. It's a very minor barrier, physically speaking, but having a bass put away in its case makes me significantly less likely to pick it up. Now, time to close Firefox and practice instead of talking about practicing ;)
 
#5
keep it out. I tend to play much more that way. I do have the luxury of a room to keep my stuff set up now (first time EVER) so it makes it much easier to just sit down, plug in and go for it! If you have a safer space to keep your stuff, I say leave it out.
 
#10
Well, as far as a case acting as a "cast" is concerned - no, your bass still has room to move within a case. As for humidity, I don't see that a case would be capable of isolating your bass enough that it would be immune to changes in the air. Also, once you take your bass out of the case for any extended period the neck will adjust according to the humidity level at that time anyway. And really, how often would your bass be exposed to wild swings in humidity levels if you left it on a stand? I live in Montreal - a place that experiences much greater extremes in humidity-level changes than does San Francisco and I leave my basses out on stands. At most I have to tweak the truss rods a couple of times a year. No big deal. And dust? Just get a Swiffer. :cool:
 
#13
hung on the wall always... they all get played as often as I can, even if only for 5 minutes at a time. Only exception is my 'cheapie'... it lives in a closet out of the way. My expensive basses are the tools I use, that is the only reason to own them.

When they leave the house, they go in a gig bag.
 
#14
Snakeman1066 said:
cheapie goes out on a stand....more expensive basses stay in their cases...until gig or recording time
Click to expand...

Heck, after spending five grand on a bass with a nice top you'd best believe I want to look at that bass! Of course, if you have young children or crazy pets (or crazy children and young pets) around, I can see why someone might want to keep their prized basses in a case. But yeah, I love just passing by a room and seeing a bass in its stand looking pretty and asking to be picked up. :)
 
#16
Do we HAVE to answer this question every week?

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#17
The dust that settles on your bass sitting on a stand of course also settles on your strings. It won't make much difference if you're playing it a lot anyway, but for little-played instruments, it will slowly gunk your strings. Unless you have a fancy neck sock.

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#19
bassplayer8953 said:
I'd get a hard case. Toss the pissy bag...AND the cat.
Click to expand...

my cats love my basses! they should given their names too (George and Leo).
Leo and my sandberg
DSC00263.jpg


but my basses are in a rotation due to room space in my 'toy' room my status is always on a stand (hercules triple) and my paisley P and jag are on case/stand rotation given my mood and my T bitd is on the other slot. sandberg is on a solo stand and the rest are in cases or leaning cearfully against the wall :D
 

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