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.
Read also: Humidifiers for guitar studio
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.
How Long Can a Guitar Stay In the Car?
As long as your guitar is stored in a hard case, it can sit in the car for as long as you need it to.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the optimal climate for storing guitars?
From my years of personal experience and expertise as a guitarist, proper care and storage of your guitar is essential to keep it in top condition. It’s crucial to understand that the welbeing of your guitar is significantly influenced by the environment it’s stored in. The best temperature to store your guitar is actually within a range of 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. **It’s also important to maintain a consistent humidity level, with the ideal range being between 45 to 50 percent average humidity**. Guitars are quite sensitive to extreme changes in both temperature and humidity, so try to avoid suddenly moving your guitar between contrasting environments as this can cause damage in the long run.
Should a guitar be stored with or without strings?
If the prospect of storing your guitar for an extended period is looming, it’s advisable to **either remove the strings completely or at the very least, loosen them so as to alleviate the amount of tension exerted on the neck, bridge, and top**. I learned this the hard way once when I left a beloved steel-stringed acoustic of mine in storage with the strings still tightly strung. The high tension from the heavy gauge strings (.012 or .013 high E) warped the neck over time – a mistake I have since then, not repeated.
Is it safer to store a guitar on a wall or in a case?
In all my years of being a luthier, I’ve found that the safest place for storing a guitar is in its case, kept in a stable environment. Of course, wall mounts can make for great decor and ease of access, but from a preservation standpoint, **a case offers protection against accidental knocks or falls**. Too many times have I seen guitars come into my shop with dents and scratches from being knocked off wall mounts.
Is it acceptable to keep a guitar on a stand?
Indeed, it is fine to keep your guitar on a stand when not in use, so long as certain precautions are taken. Firstly, it’s key that the stand is in optimal condition – that is, the padding is not worn out and there are no bits sticking out that could potentially damage your guitar. I’ve kept my vintage Gibson on a stand for years with no issues. However, **ensure that the padding of your guitar stand is well preserved to avoid damaging the finish**. I once experienced significant damage on a Fender Stratocaster due to poor padding, which led to an unwanted trip to a repair shop.