Storing guitars

[Deleted]

Hi All,
Hoping to pick your brains!
I need to put a bunch of guitars into store for approx. 6 months.
I have a small unit at one of those "self-storage" places.
It is secure and dry (lots of paper archived there so dry and relatively stable humidity) but there is no heating.
It is unlikely to get below freezing but could get quite cold through the winter. I'm a bit worried that low temperatures may cause problems. Up to now all the instruments have been kept at home in normal domestic conditions.
All will be in their cases.
There is a mixture of acoustics, arch-tops & solid bodies.
Any thoughts / suggestions? (No, don't think I should lend them all out!!)

Cheers all.
Regards Clive.

[Deleted]

If your guitars are of any value whatsoever, don't do it. A storage warehouse will possibly be much dryer than your house, and this combined with potential for low temperatures is a recipe for disaster. By comparison, your house will be warm and will actually have quite high humidity levels (human beings and their activities in a house give off a LOT of moisture). I reckon your guitars could dry out and the potential for cracking would be pretty high. Lending them out to trusted friends would be a far safer bet as long as you sort your insurances out. The cases won't make a deal of difference, as they they won't give a hermetic seal against moisture changes, even something like a Calton with a good seal won't be totally airtight.

[Michael Messer]

Hi Clive, I would think the guitars will be fine in your storage place. I have seen a similar situation in the mountains in Canada with a valuable collection of vintage guitars, and all the guitars were absolutely fine. Put them in good cases, leave them in tune, and before putting them away give them a good clean to remove fingermarks and sweat. If you are worried about moisture, just run some gaffa tape (duck tape) around the case to seal it.

Shine On,
Michael.

[Deleted]

Thanks Guys,

I haven't any real alternative but to store these over the winter (I am keeping a couple back to play!). I think I'll seal the cases in poly' sacks & tape them up to try & make them airtight - should help to maintain the same moisture content.

Interesting you say to leave them in tune Michael - I was going to slacken them off a bit: tone & half or so, but do it evenly. Do you feel then it is best to leave them fully tuned/tensioned?

Cheers, Clive.

[Michael Messer]

Hi Clive,

I would leave them in tune because that is the tension the instrument is used to.

Shine On,
Michael.

[Deleted]

I'll leave them tuned then - at least I can have a quick twiddle when I go to the unit!
Hope to get to South St. on Thursday. If not I'll see you at Stoke Row.

Cheers, Clive.