How do I store my guitar? Considering everyday usage, should I stand it up or lay it flat?
quickelroy asked:
My 10 year old’s music teacher told him he should not stand the guitar up. Maybe for prolonged periods, I could see why someone might not want to stand it in a corner leaning on the machine head, but what are the chances of damage? Why is there such a thing as a guitar stand?
My 10 year old’s music teacher told him he should not stand the guitar up. Maybe for prolonged periods, I could see why someone might not want to stand it in a corner leaning on the machine head, but what are the chances of damage? Why is there such a thing as a guitar stand?
Over time the pressure on the neck can warp it. Also it is susceptible to being knocked over most easily. The best place to put it wen it is not in use is in its case.
They DO make guitar stands - the kind that unfold and sit on the floor. They put very little pressure on the neck. Also there are guitar hangers that be screwed into the wall and the guitar hung from its head-stock.
You can get one or the other for under $20 at your local music store.
There is a guitar stand and that is the only way you should ever stand it up. If you don’t have one lay it flat best if you have a case. You can buy a stand at any music store. Merry christmas!
I’ve been playing guitar now for over 40 years . If you stand it up be sure it’s in a guitar stand. If you lay it down be sure it’s in the case with the lid closed. You should not have any problems
These guys have the right answer. Also, in certain areas you will want to keep your guitar in a case due to humidity. If you don’t it can crack or warp your guitar.
Hey I’ve been playing guitar for a while and sometimes when I’ve gone on tour with my friends bands I put the guitar in a hardcase for obvious reasons and it was awful. All the moving and constant fus, broke 2 heads and a peg. I think its better you purchase a guitar stand if the guitar is not going to be taken out of the house!
If it is get a soft cover type unless your really into like moving it a lot and dropping it
Here check these websites out for stands
Your 10 year olds’ teacher is right. If you have to set your guitar down for a while and you don’t have a stand or case, stand it in a corner face in. The weight of the guitar can cause damage to the neck and bridge. Guitar stands will take pressure off the neck to prevent warping if you don’t have a case and make for easy access when practicing or jamming. To store your guitar, considering everyday use, buy a stand. For long term storage use a case and loosen the strings.
The best thing to do is to keep it in a case. However, they get expensive and it is a hassle to keep putting it up and taking it out. All of my guitars just sat proped up against the wall because I could not afford guitar stands. They have no damage at all, even when one of my favorites fell into my desk one night. (Kind of weird, but true. Not even a scratch!) I finally got some stands for christmas, but the point is they didn’t get any damage. If your guitar is too precious to put in a regular stand with padded foam, then playing it will probably mess it up in your oppinion. I’m sorry if I sound kind of harsh, but a guitar stand will not mess up you’re son’s guitar unless it EXTREEMLY poorly crafted. The chances of damage are so small, it’s hard to comprehend. Just think, why would standing it up mess it up? That’s rediculus.
Ideally, guitars should be wiped down after use and stored in a guitar case. It’ll keep dust off it and more importantly, keeps the instrument at a steadier temperature and humidity. Which helps with playability and the overall condition of the guitar.
Whether the case lays flat or against a wall, really shouldn’t matter.
I have the feeling your 10 year old’s teacher is trying to prevent the child from just setting the guitar,upright against the wall when he or she is done using it.
All sorts of bad things can and will happen if he / she does it. It is all but guaranteed it will get bumped into and knocked over. Leaving a nice perfect arc scrape on the wall and resulting in a dinged and possibly damaged guitar.
If you have a good sturdy guitar stand, there should be no issues keeping it there short term. But if the guitar isn’t going to be used for a few days or more, keeping it in it’s case is the best way to go.
The teacher is trying to teach good guitar habits. If you don’t use a stand (they make different kinds, many are under 20 bucks), put it back in the (hard shell, preferably) case when not playing. I tend to keep my guitars in their cases, with the exception of whichever one I am playing the most. I keep it on the stand and within my reach, usually next to my favorite chair. However, the one I paid thousands of dollars for I always return to the case, after I have wiped it down. I would wring somebody’s neck if they just propped it against a wall! It can warp the neck, for one thing. For the money I have invested in them, you can bet certain death would follow to the person who knocked one of them over!