How Many Heed the Warning?

[Backwards]

My new Bass just completed the journey from Indiana to Arizona over the last several days, so I'll bide my time until tomorrow until I open my early Christmas present to myself.

I'm just curious if anyone has seen ill effects from ignoring the instructions.

 

[WG Plum]

Yep, I've seen and always do.

 

[exidor]

I will heed!

 

[musicman556]

I don't bother to wait with modern poly finishes. If it were a fresh nitro finish I probably would, but I am not buying another Gibson any time soon.

 

[WI Short Scaler]

I follow this when there are some big temperature extremes. Here in WI if it's 20 below zero I'll def wait after bringing it inside. But if it's 60 outside and 70 in the house? Then I open it.

 

[31HZ]

Had a buddy who pulled a freshly-finished nitro guitar out of the box after an hour (it was delivered in winter). It cracked and crazed right before our eyes! Instant relic

 

[Matt Dean]

Never have… no ill effects.

 

[Backwards]

I follow this when there are some big temperature extremes. Here in WI if it's 20 below zero I'll def wait after bringing it inside. But if it's 60 outside and 70 in the house? Then I open it.

I understand your logic, but I think you also have to consider the route your instrument took to get to you. It's a pleasant 52 degrees here in Phoenix now, there was a big variation in weather conditions on the ride down here.

It sure is tempting to take a peek, though!

 

[Sharko]

Never have, don't care.

that said, I once sprayed nitro on a body I was refinishing then accidentally left it outside overnight in freezing temps and it shattered. It was kind of amazing actually

 

[Jefenator]

As a glassblower I am all too aware of what thermal shock can do to an object. So I do try do avoid abrupt and/or extreme changes with my instruments to whatever extent is practical.
Having said that, let's just say my apartment, vehicle interior & gigs aren't always perfectly maintained at 70ºF.
So... I'd use my judgement. Maybe hold off if the box or the case inside feels chilly. 24 hours seems a bit conservative.

 

[scuzzy]

had the finish on the top of an ovation acoustic bass split like crazy after bringing inside from the cold and immediately opening the case. can it happen, yes. does it always? nah.

 

[WI Short Scaler]

I understand your logic, but I think you also have to consider the route your instrument took to get to you. It's a pleasant 52 degrees here in Phoenix now, there was a big variation in weather conditions on the ride down here.

It sure is tempting to take a peek, though!

Yes, I realize if it was on a flight it could be seriously cold. But where we're located in Central WI there is a minimum day and 1/2 on local trucks through a processing center before it's even out for delivery.

 

[dalkowski]

I'm a patient fellow. I can fill 24 hours pretty easily in any weather conditions while I wait.

 

[gln1955]

Any bass I get is probably going to see bigger temp and humidity extremes while it's in my possession.

 

[micguy]

I gig regularly throughout the year, and my basses get taken out in very cold temperatures at times.

I also build my own basses, so I don't get finished instruments - I get pieces of wood delivered - which I open when the package gets to my house.

 

[J Posega]

I don't really worry much about this living in Los Angeles now, but I did heed the warning when basses were in the back of a delivery truck in Northern Michigan sub-freezing temperatures. I never waited 24 hours, but most packages arrived early in the day, so they'd seem adequately acclimated by the time I got home from work.

 

[KenD]

If the bass came to you via ground transport, it has already had a few days en route to come up to your local outside temperature gradually. If the difference between your local outside temperature and the temperature in your home is going to cause damage, how will you ever take the bass out to gigs?

 

[9c1ny]

Same mentality as turn the truss rod a quarter a turn and wait for a day.
My God what do you think touring bands do?

 

[Zooberwerx]

I wait an hour after eating before entering the pool / ocean / bathtub. Scared I'll cramp-up and sink like the Titanic.

Riis

 

[IamGroot]

Glad that most airlines do a temperature control on cargo carrier areas keeping it at 40F or above. Assuming they dont miss the switches.