Guitars and cold weather

[rspst14]

I know there's a thread like this in the vault, but I have two questions that I could use some help with. First, I have three guitars...one of them is on a stand at all times, the other two are stored in their cases under the bed. Being that it's winter in Pittsburgh, the weather has been quite cold as of late, and of course, warm air rises in a room. It's much colder on the floor than it is higher up. Is there any problem with storing my guitars in a case under the bed? It's not a drastic change in temperature, but it is noticeably colder towards the floor.

Second, I've been planning on selling my Wolfgang, but the temperatures have been in the single digits, with wind chills dropping below zero. I'm afraid that even if I pack and insulate it very well, the cold weather will have a negative impact on the wood during shipping. When you ship something UPS, does it stay in the truck all the time, or do they bring the packages indoors at night? Should I wait until it warms up a little bit to sell it, or am I just being overly cautious? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Ryan

 

[stonabus]

Re: Guitars and cold weather

...I'm afraid that even if I pack and insulate it very well, the cold weather will have a negative impact on the wood during shipping. When you ship something UPS, does it stay in the truck all the time, or do they bring the packages indoors at night? Should I wait until it warms up a little bit to sell it, or am I just being overly cautious? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Ryan

i was wondering the same thing. i was going to order a guitar, but i am never home when they deliver, so it would sit outside until i got home. i was also curious about the boxes in the truck at night......

 

[big_black]

Re: Guitars and cold weather

I don't think I'd want to ship a guitar in this weather either. as for under the bed, I don't think minor temperature variations (from floor to ceiling) are that detrimental. I think the problem comes when there is a drastic change and the guitar is subject to massive expanding or contracting (like taking it from under your bed and putting it on your front doorstep in the middle of winter). I've found guitars can be kept at less than room temperature as long as that is what they sit at for a length of time instead of hot/cold/hot. We have had heating problems here this past week. The temperature (usually 71 degrees) got down below 60. My Gibson sits out all the time and it was fine. I was worried because of its set neck, but it was alright, just went out of tune a bit when it warmed up.

 

[GuitarGuy503]

Re: Guitars and cold weather

If the temperatures are in the single digits I personally would hold off on selling it. I'm somewhat concerned about this issue myself. I have a Gibson Les Paul Standard on layaway and am close to paying it off but considering all the cold weather we have had around here I think once i pay it off in the next month I'll have them hold off on shipping it until it warms up a little bit.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Guitars and cold weather

The only thing you want to avoid is going from one extreme to the other, too fast.
Like bringing a guitar inside the house that was in a cold trunk all night, then opening the case in a well heated environment. Come to think of it, I'm taking delivery of a flametop from New Jersey, which will be unpacked in the hottest city in California, Chatsworth. I don't care, I'll still unpack it as fast as I can! LOL

 

[theodie]

Re: Guitars and cold weather

I dosent matter if the package is in the truck or on their dock. They are usually about the same temp as outside. Rarely are the docks heated and forget about the inside of the trailers or trucks. Transportation companies do things as cheaply as humanily possible. I know first hand, I do this stuff for a living!!!

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Guitars and cold weather

If it comes in from the cold, just let the package sit inside for a few hours, like you would a computer, prior to opening.

 

[theodie]

Re: Guitars and cold weather

I forgot to mention something, In the summer it is just as bad. Trailers are like big tin cans with skylights in them so it acts as a greenhouse. I would say that the inside of a trailer can exceed 140-150 degrees in the summer.