Robben Ford Discussion

[Marc Greeson]

I have always kept my guitars out on stands when not in use. I have three guitars (maybe 4 after looking at the new squier) and I like to use them all. But recently a new band member came over to jam and told me that he keeps his in their cases. He informed me that keeping them out can harm the wood over time. What are some of your suggestions.habits. Any info would be much appreciated. Thanks!!

[frank0936]

Actually, I do both. I have most of mine out on stands or wall hangers, but the ones I gig with every weekend are in the cases most of the time. I've never noticed any kind of damage that I could attribute to them being out. I've heard the same as you, that they should always be in their cases, but go in any music store and they are hanging on the walls. Who knows? Anyway, that's what I do.
Frank

[BlueRunner]

The deciding factor in this house is the cats. They've done things to the couch that I wouldn't wish on anyone's guitar.
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- BlueRunner

[Leftbender]

I keep mine in stands, and in wall hooks. Temperature conditions and humidity is the same as if you would keep them in cases, I guess. If they are in stands they are like furniture so you have to clean them once in a while from dust. Remember that smokey bars, outdoor venues and beer-throwing crowd cause more trouble.
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"Don't play what's there, play what's not there" Miles Davis

[Bluelobster]

Watch out for the sun too.

When i really DON'T play one she just go in the case after having been cleaned...........

[jazzyblues]

I've always kept my guitars in their cases. Never know what could happen when they're left out.
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[henkholland]

[frank0936]

A friend of mine had a music store with a west-facing window. He put a red guitar in the window once, and soon was trying to sell a pink guitar!
Frank

[AndyR]

I think it's better to keep them in the case.

I have a hygrometer in my family room, and the relative humidity can flucuate between 40% (winter with the heat blasting) to 80% (rainy summer with windows open)

Right now, it's just a bit above 40%, and I've got a large humidifier closeby running full blast 24/7...but the furnace is running almost as constantly, too.

When I bought my G&L last summer, it came with a large silca gel dessicant pack in the case.

I know they make in-case humidifiers, too.

Probably best to keep them in a constant humidity-controlled environment, and the case seems like the easiest way to do that.

Just my $0.02



Andy

[JohnnyZ]

Ever notice that most guitar stores keep their acoustics in a glass-enclosed room while their solid-bodies are out in the open in the main showroom? Once I went into Boston's Guitar Center acoustic room, and the humidity was so high you could've taken a bath in there...

Personally, as much as I'd like to stand or hang my guitars, I do as my teacher recommended- leave them in their cases where the effects of the New England temp & humidity changes are less likely to be felt.

Also, if humidity is supposed to be better than dryness for guitars, why are new guitars packaged, stored, and shipped with those silica packets?

~JZ~
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[JohnnyZ]

Here's an article about guitar humidification...

http://www.musicianshotline.com/archive/monthly/guitar_er/2002/04_02.htm
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Soul on Eleven

[Aeolian]

I've noticed that left in cases, the strings and hardware corrode much more quickly. Of course you shouldn't have a guitar sitting where it is exposed to a window with the heat and sunlight. I had trouble with an Ibanez hanging on an outside wall that got hot and the neck was always moving a bit. I've also found that leaving the guitar where it's exposed to noise, helps. I left an Epiphone archtop inbetween my stereo and TV for a couple of years and it made a huge difference. It sounds like a much older and better guitar than it has a right to.
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[JonyB]

I keep the acoustics [Gibson J-45, J100 Xtra] in their cases and downstairs, where it's warmer than upstairs in the Winter. The J100 X gave me some problems for a while, everytime the weather changed in the Winter, The back would contract and the seam would open slightly. It's finally stabilized over a period of 6 or 7years by keeping it hydraded and in a room temperature of 60 to 70 degrees.
I don't really like to leave the electrics setting out if I'm not playing them either because I tend to be very KLUTZY and knock over things. Nothing like watching your Les Paul fall off a stand in S L O W motion and the headstock snap off......
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Then Play On...

[frank0936]

I just wonder, where does the air in your case come from, and is your case airtight? I know a case can slow down the air interchange from outside to inside, but it is still the same air. I've done both, and I've never noticed a difference in about 40 years of playing. I live in the deep south, and we have a lot of humidity. If you live somewhere that's drier, it might make a difference. I notice more change from temperature differences. I played a gig in New Jersey last month, and the guitars went out of tune from being in a cool basement, then to a car and then to a warm club.
Frank

[JohnnyZ]