Storage For Guitars- A Guide By Zager
Congratulations on getting your hands on a guitar! Now, let’s talk about something that might not be as exciting but is just as important – properly storing your instrument. Trust me; it’s not something you want to neglect because it can lead to frustration, effort, and unnecessary expenses down the road. Plus, if you’re not someone who plays your guitar all the time, it’s even more critical to ensure you’re storing it correctly.
Maintenance might not be the glamorous aspect of guitar ownership, but it’s just as crucial as mastering your favorite songs. Don’t fall into the trap of assuming that owning a guitar is all fun and games. Learning to care for your instrument correctly is the next big challenge many musicians underestimate or ignore. So, let’s ensure you’re on the right track and take the necessary steps to keep your guitar in tip-top shape!
The most critical takeaway from this article is the importance of maintaining proper humidity and temperature levels in the room where you store your guitar. Proper storage is necessary to ensure that your guitar stays in optimal condition, which requires some knowledge and effort.
Whether you own a modern or vintage, acoustic or electric, or classical guitar, it is likely made of wood, a vulnerable organic material. Exposure to dampness can cause swelling, while heat can dry the wood, leading to appearance and sound quality changes.
Fortunately, most guitars are designed to last for many years. Although they may seem delicate, guitars are robust instruments, and it’s not uncommon to come across two or three decades old guitars.
Common Issues That Can Occur If You Fail To Store Your Guitar Properly
- Fret Buzz:
The guitar produces an unwanted buzzing sound when certain strings are played, which may be caused by the strings vibrating against the frets.
- High Action:
The strings are too far from the fretboard, which makes playing more difficult and may result in poor intonation.
- Swollen Frets:
The metal frets on the fretboard have expanded, which can cause the strings to hit them too hard and produce unwanted noise.
- Shrinking Frets:
The metal frets on the fretboard have contracted, which can lead to sharp edges and poor playability.
- Warping Neck:
The guitar neck has become curved or twisted, which can cause issues with intonation and playability.
- Glue Failure:
The glue holding the guitar parts together has failed, which can cause parts to become loose or separated.
- Tuning and Intonation Problems:
The guitar is difficult to tune or sounds out of tune when played, which may be caused by factors such as string tension, fret placement, or bridge position.
- Cracks In The Neck/Body/Top/Back/Sides:
The guitar has developed cracks in various parts, affecting the instrument’s structural integrity and sound quality.
- Sharp Fret Ends Due To Shrinking Neck:
The ends of the frets are protruding and sharp, which can be uncomfortable for the player and may affect playability.
- Cracks On The Guitar’s Finish:
The guitar’s outer coating has developed cracks, which may be caused by age, wear and tear, or exposure to temperature/humidity changes.
7 Simple Tips To Help Extend Your Guitar’s Life
Choose an Appropriate Storage Method
Be it acoustic or electric guitars; there are various ways to properly store them. These methods include hard cases, gig bags, guitar stands, and wall hooks. Each approach offers different levels of protection, but they also differ in convenience. Plus, they make your music room look pretty awesome too.
Storage methods can vary when deciding on the best storage option for your guitar; it’s important to balance protection and accessibility, depending on how often you play. While keeping your guitar safe is crucial, it’s also essential to consider how easily you can access it when you want to play it. An accessible storage solution is always the correct answer.
Guitars are designed to be played, and although locking them up might keep them secure if it discourages you from playing, it may not be worth sacrificing accessibility for protection.
Let’s dive into some guitar storage ideas to keep your instrument intact for the coming years!
Hardshell Cases
Investing in hard guitar cases is highly recommended if you plan to store your guitar for an extended period. This storage method provides the most comprehensive protection compared to other options.
They are bulky and heavy, but offer excellent support for the guitar, safeguarding it from physical damage. They also effectively shield the instrument from temperature and humidity changes. These cases are made while keeping the climate-controlled environment in mind so that the longevity of your guitar is ensured.
However, the main drawback of hard cases is their inconvenience. They are not easy to carry around, and you cannot display your precious instrument while it is in the case. On a more personal note, hard cases should only be used when flying or shipping the instrument. They are essential for the guitar’s safety in these situations.
If you want to pick up a hard case, I recommend a Zager Guitar’s hard case. Just make sure you get one that fits the shape of your guitar.
Gig Bag
Image Source: Sire USA
Gig bags are an excellent storage option for guitarists who frequently travel with instruments. These bags are lightweight and easy to carry, making them ideal for live performances and gigs. While gig bags do not provide as much protection as hardshell cases, they offer a reasonable safeguard against physical damage.
However, it’s essential to remember that gig bags do not protect your guitar from extreme weather conditions such as temperature and humidity. Hence, you should avoid leaving them in such environments.
Regarding the choice of gig bags, anything should suffice. Typically, guitars come with gig bags, so you can use the bag that came with your instrument instead of purchasing a third-party bag.
Floor Stands
Image Source: Kamehameha
Guitar stands are a convenient option for quick access to your guitar. They allow you to showcase your instrument when not in use.
However, since the guitar is entirely visible, it provides limited protection against physical damage and environmental factors. Nonetheless, it does provide some level of support to keep your guitar from falling over, which is better than propping it against a wall.
While using a guitar stand, you may encounter issues like your guitar tipping over if not placed correctly on the stand or getting scratched due to the stand you choose.
Wall Mounts
Image Source: Guitar.com
When displaying your guitar, there are different options to consider. Guitar stands and wall mounts are two popular choices, each with advantages and disadvantages.
Guitar stands are ideal for guitarists on the go, as they are portable and easy to move around. However, they take up more space than wall mounts and can be more prone to accidents, such as someone accidentally knocking over your guitar.
On the other hand, wall mounts are a more permanent solution and save space, but they require drilling holes into your wall. They also eliminate the risk of your guitar getting knocked over, but you won’t be able to move it around as quickly as with a guitar stand.
Ultimately, the decision depends on your needs and personal preference. If you’re constantly on the go, a guitar stand may be the better choice, while if you’re looking for a space-efficient and permanent display solution, a wall mount might be the way to go.
Leaving The Guitar Standing Upright
Guitars often suffer physical damage due to being knocked over, which is a common occurrence. Placing your guitar upright against a surface can cause it to fall and become scratched or dented. This is true even if the guitar is stored in a padded case or gig bag, as they may not provide adequate protection. To avoid damage, it’s essential to store your guitar horizontally on the floor when it’s in a case or on a stand or wall mount when it’s not.
Cleaning The Guitar Before Storing It
Image Source: Guitar Top Review
Playing the guitar accumulates oil and grime from your fingers, which can cause rust and corrosion of the metal hardware and strings over time. Therefore, it is essential to clean the guitar before storing it. Additionally, it’s recommended to use a fretboard conditioner such as lemon oil to prevent the fretboard from drying out and maintain its condition.
Keep Your Guitar In Safe Humidity Levels
Image Source: Sound Pure
Maintaining an appropriate humidity level is crucial when storing guitars, mainly because they are commonly constructed from solid wood. Failure to regulate the humidity levels can result in lasting damage to the guitar.
The consequences of exposure to extreme humidity levels can include neck warping, finish deterioration, cracking, and various issues with frets, such as high action, fret buzz, and sprouting.
Ideal Humidity Level For Guitars
Image Source: Mass Street Music
To keep your guitar in good condition, it’s recommended to store it in an environment where the humidity level falls between 60%-75%. Nevertheless, the key is to maintain a stable humidity level for your guitar, so avoid exposing it to drastic changes in humidity levels.
Moving your guitar rapidly from high to low humidity levels can cause the wood to react and damage. Therefore, it’s best to avoid sudden changes in humidity levels when storing your guitar.
Monitor The Humidity Levels
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Storing your guitar in an environment with controlled humidity is crucial for maintaining its quality. A digital hygrometer can be an affordable and convenient tool to measure the room’s humidity level. An air humidifier is recommended if you reside in a region with extremely low humidity.
You can find an affordable humidifier on our website for just $39, ideal for maintaining optimal humidity levels. Direct exposure to sunlight for a prolonged period can cause the wood to dry out and potentially lead to cracks, so it’s essential to avoid placing your guitar in direct sunlight. Additionally, sunlight can harm the guitar’s finish by fading the color, which can damper the mood!
Store Guitar In a Temperature-Controlled Room
Image Source: American Music Furniture
Maintaining proper temperature conditions for storing guitars is crucial in preventing permanent damage. Extreme temperatures, whether too high or too low, can lead to various issues, such as fret shrinkage, warping, or glue melting. Ideally, the temperature range for guitar storage should fall between 65-75 °F (18-24 °C).
It’s best to avoid exposing your guitar to sudden or extended changes in temperature, such as leaving it in a hot or cold car trunk overnight. Instead, store your guitar in a consistently temperature-controlled room. Avoid exposing your guitar to climate conditions you wouldn’t want to experience is advisable.
Loosen The Tension On The Strings
Image Source: FuelRocks
The guitar strings exert significant tension on the neck, leading to severe damage over time, including warping. If you plan to store your guitar for an extended period, reducing the tension on the strings is recommended.
You can achieve this by slightly turning the tuning pegs one or two steps down before storing the guitar. It’s crucial to ensure that there’s still some string tension, so it’s not advisable to completely loosen the strings.
Play It Once In a While
Image Source: Yousician
While guitars may be stored for long periods, they are primarily meant to be played. To ensure the longevity of your guitar, it’s essential to take it out occasionally and play it. It’s also recommended to perform basic setup and adjustments to extend the guitar’s overall life. The guitar neck can naturally start to warp over time, so minor tweaks to the truss rod as needed can help prevent it from warping beyond repair.
Tune During Storage
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
For frequent-use storage of a guitar, there is no need to detune it when not in use. However, many guitar makers and players suggest lowering the tuning by ½ to 1 whole step for long-term storage of six months or more.
Although this won’t cause permanent damage, it may cause the neck to back-bow slightly due to decreased string tension, affecting the guitar’s playability.
If this happens, it’s best to install a new set of strings and bring the guitar up to pitch, allowing the neck to readjust for several days.
If the problem persists, it’s best to seek evaluation and possible truss rod adjustment from a professional rather than attempting to adjust it without proper experience and risking permanent damage to the guitar.
About Zager
Zager Guitars is a family-owned third-generation guitar builder building guitars in Lincoln, Nebraska, since 1902. It has been rated in the top 5% of all guitar brands. It has been featured in Time Magazine, Newsweek, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Rolling Stone, The New Yorker, ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, FOX, and many national and international news media.
Many players have tried our guitars over the last 50 years because of muscle and joint pain, MS, arthritis, nerve damage, fibromyalgia, carpel tunnel, shoulder and back pain, broken fingers, and missing fingers. Our string heights are lower, allowing you to come down on the strings from a more perpendicular angle, so you no longer have to reach over other strings muting them out.
Zager Cases
When protecting your guitar, a high-quality case is an absolute must-have. And if you’re looking for the best, you should check out Zager Guitars‘ selection of cases.
Not only do these cases offer superior protection for your guitar, but they also come in two stylish designs that are sure to turn heads. Plus, with features like comfortable straps and ample storage space for accessories, you’ll have everything you need to take your music on the go easily.
So why settle for a mediocre case that only offers minimal protection? Upgrade to a Zager case and give your guitar the top-of-the-line protection it deserves while looking great!
Zager Pro Hard Shell Wood Case with Digital Humidity Sensor
Why put your guitar at risk for cracks and damage from climate changes that can ruin it forever? Leaving your guitar in the open air exposes its woods to temperature and humidity changes which can cause warping and cracks. Keeping your guitar in a controlled atmosphere guarantees it will play, sound and look perfect 25 years from now. Instead, a small investment can increase your instrument’s lifespan tenfold.
The Zager Pro Hard Shell Plush Case is designed to keep your instrument safe with EPS foam construction creating support for the neck and a thick plush charcoal padded interior that delicately protects the body of your guitar. The digital humidity/temperature sensor is accurate to +/- 2% at 70% humidity. This case also includes chrome-plated hardware and a key lock with a spare key to keep your instrument safe from tampering.
- Hardshell plush wood case
- Through bolt locking system
- Triple chrome plated latches
- Digital humidity sensor accurate to +/- 2% at 70% humidity
- Padded interior pocket
- EPS foam plush interior
- 100% Money back guarantee
- Lifetime warranty
Zager Pro ABS Ultra Light Molded Case w/ Digital Humidity System
You cannot find this case in stores for under $200. Leaving your guitar in the open air exposes its woods to temperature and humidity changes which can cause warping and cracks. Keeping your guitar in a climate-controlled case guarantees it will play, sound and look perfect 25 years from now. Instead, a tiny investment considering it can increase the lifespan of your instrument tenfold.
This Hard Shell Professional ABS Molded Case features an extra strong aluminum valance and a through-bolted locking system making it ultra-secure. Designed to keep your instrument safe with EPS foam creating support for the neck and a thick plush charcoal padded interior that delicately protects the body of your guitar. The digital humidity sensor is accurate to +/- 2% at 70% humidity. This case also includes nickel-plated hardware and a key lock with a spare key to keep your instrument safe from tampering.
- Ultra-light ultra robust ABS molded construction (One of the few cases in the world you can stand on)
- Through bolt locking system
- Digital humidity sensor accurate to +/- 2% at 70% humidity
- Triple chrome plated latches
- Padded interior glove box
- EPS foam plush interior
- Lifetime warranty
FAQs
Is It Safe To Store a Guitar In a Storage Unit?
Guitar parts should be kept within a temperature-controlled storage box to avoid damage. Guitars are incredibly fragile, which may cause severe damage or loss to your guitar’s longevity or functionality. Take it out of humidity. Moisture is very harmful to your guitar.
What Is The Best Way To Store an Acoustic Guitar?
Acoustic guitars are vulnerable to humidity and temperature. Products must always stay stored at a temperature of 55% and not in dry or extremely hot locations. Avoid storage at places where the temperature fluctuates.
