Is it OK to store guitars in the basement?

Never store your guitar in the basement during the summer months. Invest in a dehumidifier if you find your home is humid in the summer. Never leave your guitar in a hot area such as in a car during a hot sunny day where temperatures can soar high enough to soften and compromise the glue joints.

Where is the best place to store a guitar?

3 - 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.

Where should I store my guitar at home?

On the Wall

Wall hangers like the String Swing Guitar Keeper protect your guitar from ground-level hazards while providing an attractive storage option. As handy as they are, floor stands might not be the best option for those who have pets or small children at home.

What is the best temperature to store a guitar?

Guitars are made mostly of wood and that wood can be affected by temperature and humidity. Extreme temperatures and changes in humidity will cause the wood to shift and change, sometimes dramatically, which affects the sound and shape. Ideal temperature is 66-77 °F (19-25 °C). Ideal humidity is 40-50 percent.

Can a cold room damage a guitar?

If you live in an area where it gets freezing cold in the winter, this change in winter and fall weather could damage your guitar's finish by causing cracks. You must protect your instrument from freezing cold at all costs.

Best 6 tips to store guitars or other stringed instruments

What temperature is bad for guitars?

Steer clear of extreme temperatures of less than 32 Fahrenheit (0 Celsius) or more than 95 Fahrenheit (35 Celsius). Use your heating or air conditioning systems to maintain an acceptable temperature in your guitar room, but keep your guitars a good distance away from the units themselves!

Can I store my guitar in the garage?

This means that you shouldn't store your guitar in any unfinished basements, attics, garages, or sheds, as these are the types of environments that have extreme fluctuating temperatures. If you happen to accidentally store your guitar in a room that does get cold, don't worry!

How long does it take for humidity to damage guitar?

Depending on the deviation from ideal RH, permanent damage could take months or years to occur. If instead the guitar is hung from a wall near a heating vent, then 2 - 4 months of a cold winter could cause permanent damage. Woods used for acoustic guitar backs and sides are usually cured at about 50% relative humidity.

Is humidity bad for guitars?

The ideal humidity range for your guitar is 45-55% relative humidity (RH). Extended exposure to high humidity can lead to guitar damage.

Does a guitar case protect from humidity?

There are two main kinds of guitar cases: gig bags and hard cases. Gig bags are light to carry and provide a good amount of protection. They do not, however, protect against temperature changes very well. Hard cases, on the other hand, provide excellent protection against temperature, humidity, and physical damage.

Is it OK to lay a guitar flat?

Laying guitar flat is not a good way to store your guitar – it's prone to accidents like stepping or dropping items on your guitar. You are recommended to store your guitar on a stand or case.

Do electric guitars need humidifiers?

The Simple Answer. In most cases, no. Electric guitars usually do not need humidifiers. This is because - unlike acoustic guitars - most electric guitars have what's called a solid body, meaning it's a solid chunk of wood that's too thick to be susceptible to the same problems we run into with acoustic guitars.

Is it OK to leave guitar out of case?

Unless you're humidifying your guitar with a case humidifier, or have small kids or pets running around that may knock it over, it's perfectly fine to leave a guitar on a stand instead of keeping it in a case when you're not playing it.

Is it OK to hang a guitar by the neck?

While hanging the guitar won't damage its neck, it can sometimes damage the finish on the neck. Certain rubber and foam-based guitar hangers can cause finish issues when they come into contact with the back of the guitar neck.

Why do guitars crack?

Lack-of-humidity cracks typically run along the grain of the wood. As wood shrinks in low humidity environments, it eventually reaches a point where the wood can stretch no further and, well, it cracks.

Do guitars need dehumidifier?

In the winter seasons, the dry climate requires guitars to be humidified, and when it starts getting humid during the summer, they need to be dehumidified. Guitars want to be as close to 40-50% humidity as possible. That's the environment they were manufactured in.

Do guitars need humidifiers?

A little care can save your instrument from fret buzz, top sinking, warping and cracking. One—of many—common questions that new acoustic guitar owners ask is, “Do I need a humidifier to keep my guitar safe?” Basically, the answer is yes, you do.

What temperature and humidity should guitars be kept at?

A good set of numbers to aspire to is 50 percent humidity at 70 degrees. Many of us would have a hard time making that a reality, so do what you can—generally 40-60 percent humidity is optimal. To help maintain that level, I keep an inexpensive humidifier running in that room in the driest months.

How often should you humidify your guitar?

If your humidity is consistently in the 35 to 45 per- cent range, re-wet the Dampit every 10 to 14 days. Working musicians who routinely perform in dry regions and winter climates should keep their soundhole humidifier moist all the time, and use a second humidifier as previously mentioned.

Is 35% humidity OK for guitars?

What is the best humidity level for my guitar? Most experts say 40-50 percent. At this level, a guitar will sound and play its best. A great way to control humidity is to use a humidifier.

How cold is too cold for electric guitar?

Keep your guitar in a moderately cool place from 40-50 degrees Fahrenheit (5-10 degrees Celsius). You should ensure that you keep your guitar in a moderately cool place from 5-10 degrees Celsius if you want to increase durability.

What is the best way to store an acoustic guitar?

Acoustic guitars are susceptible to humidity and temperature. They should be stored in locations with a humidity of 45% to 55%, and must never be stored in dry or very hot/humid locations. Avoid storing them in locations where the temperature fluctuates, such as in direct sunlight or near the A/C.

Should I loosen my guitar strings for storage?

Thankfully, loosening the strings on your guitar is not really necessary, and is something you should only consider if you're storing the guitar for longer than 6 months. While frequent detuning does not really provide you any benefit, over time it may cause damage to your guitar's strings, nut and neck.

How do you store a guitar in a small room?

1. Store instruments vertically. Leaning your guitar in a case against your wall might seem like the simplest option, but hanging it on the wall, like how Mary Helen Rowell hangs her cooking supplies, will free up some much-needed floor space. And honestly, it'll look a lot cooler.