Need Advice on Storing My Guitar

[riotbug]

Hi everyone, I'm new to this forum so please forgive me if this has been answered before. I've been looking around on the forums and can't seem to find an answer to this specific question.

So, it's been a while since I've owned an electric guitar. I played for many years back in the day, but I'm still technically a beginner when it comes to maintaining an electric guitar. I didn't really put much thought into storage and things like that back then.

Anyway, I purchased a PRS SE model a few days ago and I'd like some advice on properly storing the guitar. I've heard the gig bags for the SE guitars are very good. Would keeping the guitar in the gig bag be okay for day to day use? Or should I invest in a proper wall hanger or stand?

 

[veinbuster]

Welcome to the forum.

I would keep it in the case. I think it is safer there than hung or in a stand. Go with a hanger if you want to grab it any second without having to open the case.

 

[riotbug]

Thank you for the advice! I appreciate it.

 

[JMintzer]

SE's come w/a gig bag, no case. And yes, that's plenty of protection.

Me? I like them hung on the wall of my music room, or on a stand. But I don't have young children, nor any pets that'll knock them over...

 

[jbird]

I like the Hercules stand to hang them on!

 

[Bill SAS 513]

Both answers above are good, although the only thing about leaving them out of their cases is that dust and moisture will EVENTUALLY crud the volume and tone pots and you might get some scratchy sounds when turning them while amplified. Leaving them out does make grabbing and jamming mush easier though...not much help, that's me...

 

[Bill SAS 513]

Second the Hercules stands!

 

[László]

I generally keep them cased or in a gig bag, mainly to buffer the temperature and humidity changes that every room goes through during the day, but as Bill says, it's good to keep the dust out of the pots, and of course it protects against dings, dents, and fading.

 

[markintime]

I leave mine on their stands when the grand kids are not visiting. When not being used while at work I drape an old t-shirt over the neck cradle to cover the body/bridge area, precisely for the reasons Les mentioned.

 

[CoreyT]

Welcome to the forum.
I do both:
In cases during the week, then they get hung up Friday after work on Hercules wall mounts, and cased again before I hit the hay Sunday evening.
When they are out I am more inclined to play.

They get wiped down and the straings cleaned before cased.

 

[xjbebop]

Keep it on the sofa....you'll play it more...

 

[NomadMike]

Same as Bill and Les. It's just added protection.

 

[Orange Tiger]

My experience with gig bags has not been good. Had a guitar that got mouldy, finish degradation, corrosion of metal parts when left in a gig bag for extended period. Luckily it was an 'expendable' guitar. Your location's humidity may differ so YMMV.

Now I strictly store my guitars in hardcases with humidity control (silica gel beads in socks). I also have hygrometers placed in the cases to monitor when the silica is spent. Then I regenerate the silica in a microwave.

When I want to play I take em out.

They are worth the trouble.

Wow, that's a lot of care you're taking!! I thought I was OCD with my guitars, but I suppose if you've suffered from a storage issue before it's understandable.

 

[rugerpc]

I used to hang my guitars, but unless you dust them almost daily, they can get some buildup pretty fast. And I have a very clean environment with good air filters.

Remember that dust can be acidic and will eventually pit the finish.

 

[Rider1260]

All mine are out !!! and hanging otherwise I would never play just to lazy to uncase everytime I want to get a bit of playing in