Best Way to Store a Guitar

Guitar storage is one of the simple guitar maintenance routines that can prolong your guitar’s lifespan.

How you store your guitar can increase or decrease how long the guitar lasts. Typically, storing your guitar in a humid or dusty environment could cause damage to your guitar, and you will need to make more frequent trips to the local guitar center.

If you bought a new guitar and have no idea how to store it, read on to see the recommended guitar storage methods and storage tips from experienced guitarists.

What Is the Best Way to Store a Guitar? (For Safety and Quick Access)

Storing your guitar in a hard case is a great way to prevent damage and ensure the guitar parts remain intact. The hard case also works great when you need to travel for long distances with your guitar, for instance, traveling on a plane.

If you prefer a storage option that gives you quick access to the guitar, the wall hook is a great way to store your guitar. This way, you can reach the guitar whenever you like. The wall hook is a safer option because it keeps your guitar off the floor.

Ways to Store a Guitar

Gig Bags

Gig bags are ideal if you have performances and gigs frequently. They are lightweight and keep the guitar decently protected when carrying it around for gigs. Most guitars come with gig bags, and won’t need to purchase a gig bag separately if your guitar came with one.

Pros

They are light and easy to carry
Perfect for guitar gigs
Comes free sometimes

Cons

Gig bags do not protect the guitar from harsh weather like heat

Hard Cases

If you do not have a hard case for guitar storage, you should consider investing in one. Hard cases provide better protection from damage, and they are ideal when you need to store your guitar for a while.

Hard cases protect your guitar from damage caused when the guitar is exposed to extreme humidity or heat.

Pros

Good for long-term storage
Protect the guitar against harsh weather
They are durable

Cons

Inconvenient to carry

Wall Hooks

If you want to store your guitar within reach, a wall hook is a good guitar storage option. Wall hooks are a good way to keep your guitar from floor damage and also give you easy access if you play frequently.

If you want to have a guitar display as part of your home décor or studio setup, the wall hook is a good idea. They save on space while keeping your guitar safe.

Pros

Good for small guitar studios
They give easy access to your guitar
Perfectly displays your guitar

Cons

No protection from harsh temperatures or dust
Require a good set up like drilling hooks on the wall

Guitar Stands

Guitar stands are great storage options for guitar studios. They are perfect for storing your guitar when you need a small break from playing.

Guitar stands leave the guitar well-displayed and easy to access. If you have a tripod stand, you can improvise and have it as a guitar stand if it is supportive enough.

Pros

Give easy access to the guitar
Displays the guitar perfectly

Cons

Stands are not protective from heat or humidity
There is the risk of the guitar falling

Tips For Storing a Guitar

Once you’ve identified the best place to store your guitar, you need to apply a few tips on the proper way to store your guitar for maximum protection. Here are some of useful tips you can use:

Cleaning Before Storage

If your guitar is dirty, it does more harm than good when you store it in that state, especially when you need to store the guitar for a long time. Before you put your guitar in the hard case, ensure that the strings are clean, and the fretboard polished at the very least.

Storage Position

After putting your guitar in a gig bag or hard case, avoid positioning it in a way that it could easily fall. Guitar falls causes guitar damage.

If you have many guitars to store, avoid putting them on top of each other. The weight of the guitars can damage the ones at the bottom.

Check On Humidity

The wood used to make the guitar is sensitive to humidity. High humidity levels cause damage such as cracking, high action, and fret buzz, etc. on your guitar. Keep the humidity levels between 45-55% when storing your guitar.

FAQs

Is It Better to Store the Guitar With Strings Or Without?

If you want to store the guitar for a short time, you should store it with the strings. Long-term guitar storage on the other hand is better without the strings.

Is It Ok to Leave My Guitar In the Trunk?

It is not recommended to leave the guitar in the trunk for long. However, if your guitar is stored properly in a hard case that protects it from heat, it is safe to leave it in the trunk.