Good Article on Guitar Storage

[mrtorian]

From fender's website. Article Invalid Link Removed. Text below.

Guitar Storage

If you have several guitars, it’s worthwhile to know a few basic practical tips about how to store them properly, especially if it’s for a few months or more.

The first and most basic rule is to store your guitars in their cases, standing up—not lying down with one case on top of another. When storing several guitars, the cases should look like suits on a rack rather than a giant deck of cards (see photos). If standing them up isn’t an option, store your guitars (in their cases) on their sides, with the upper side pointing up.

Second, keep the string tension on the neck, but loosen the strings one or two half steps. They don’t need regular tension when in storage, but having no string tension at all can lead to neck bowing problems.

Third, if possible, store your guitars in a room or a closet nearer to the center of the building rather than near an outside wall. This helps maintain a constant temperature and is especially helpful if you live in an area that experiences climatic extremes. A case humidifier is a good idea during dry winter months.

Fourth, store vibrato-equipped guitars with the arms detached (the lone exception here being Bigsby® vibratos, which can be folded back to rest below the top of the bridge, which is the highest point on the guitar).

Right: Store your guitars in their cases, standing up.


Wrong: Don't stack your cases one on top of another.

 

[Spinal Tapper]

good tips! kinda sad it's all common sense though :scowl:

 

[rodcheapo]

Simple message but I wouldn't be surprised if thousands of people sandwich their guitars/basses in the bottom of a closet somewhere.

 

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Just out of interest, why shouldn't you stack them?

(tho my basses in cases are in a closet lined up like suits, good thing I don't have nice clothes!)

 

[TolerancEJ]

Someone gave my cousin an Ibanez Musician guitar. I borrowed it for awhile, played around with it and it sounded great. He didn't want to sell it at that time. Later, when he finally decided to sell, the neck was warped beyond belief. I think he stored the guitar under his window or something.

It was upsetting & saddening, like a person or animal had been abused. An absolutely perfect sound during the time I first borrowed it. Later it wasn't close to being playable and the neck was unrepairable.

 

[slaphappypapy]

Why would you want to store any instrument? I am not lucky enough to own that many.

 

[amimbari]

that article makes me laugh at it's illogical action items...

I DISAGREE:
When storing several guitars, the cases should look like suits on a rack rather than a giant deck of cards (see photos). If standing them up isn&#8217;t an option, store your guitars (in their cases) on their sides, with the upper side pointing up. < on my storage shelf my units are horizontal stacked 2 on top of each other 8 rows across, maybe they are talking about 20 units stacked on top of each other and #1 on the bottom is getting 200lbs put on it from the other 19???...perhaps...

I DISAGREE:
Second, keep the string tension on the neck, but loosen the strings one or two half steps. They don&#8217;t need regular tension when in storage.< since when does storing a bass make it any different than playing it once a month?

I somewhat AGREE:
Third, if possible, store your guitars in a room or a closet nearer to the center of the building rather than near an outside wall. This helps maintain a constant temperature and is especially helpful if you live in an area that experiences climatic extremes. A case humidifier is a good idea during dry winter months.

I have had a flock of at least 15-20 basses for almost 15 years, some of the collection ONLY come out of the cases once every couple YEARS, I never detune anything, I never leave them outside in the winter or in the trunk of a car at 100 degrees but do not EVER use anything special, and I can pull any of them out STILL IN TUNE< and just jam...so this article has it's merits, but like SpinalTapper said, it just takes some common sense to maintain a good storage practice.

 

[i_got_a_mohawk]

I DISAGREE:
When storing several guitars, the cases should look like suits on a rack rather than a giant deck of cards (see photos). If standing them up isn’t an option, store your guitars (in their cases) on their sides, with the upper side pointing up. < on my storage shelf my units are horizontal stacked 2 on top of each other 8 rows across, maybe they are talking about 20 units stacked on top of each other and #1 on the bottom is getting 200lbs put on it from the other 19???...perhaps...

That's the bit I dont get either

 

[mrtorian]

They're talking about bigger stacks of guitars than 2. It becomes a weight issue having less to do with the instruments and more to do with the cases. The possibility for trouble is compounded with basses since they are generally heavier than guitars.

All these tips are preventative, not prescriptive. They are in the spirit of best practices. For instance, you do not have to de-tune, but your risk of warping , truss rod failure, etc. will be considerably less if you de-tune.

That's the bit I dont get either