Guitars and temp.../ atten road dogs

[BloodRose]

First, I KNOW extreme temps are not good for guitars.. So, I try to baby my gear. But I know that alot of up coming bands travel with gear in trailers thru the summer, thru the winter... So, they cant be as fragile as i treat mine.
However, I have to ask. My USA charvel spent a couple of hours in the car today. Prolly 80plus degrees in there. when I got it out ,it was pretty out of tune and the thing was covered in condensation. the block set screws on the floyd starting to rust.. Any way to avoid? (other than keeping indoors) and how do I rectify the rusting? I rarely do this to my gear, and if I do, I cover with a light color sheet to reflect some of the rays.. But Im sure if was in a traveling band, it would be subject to more extreme temps.

Thoughts? suggestions? thanks

 

[ThunderLizard]

Re: Guitars and temp.../ atten road dogs

It is good to baby your guitars if you can. The biggest thing that can destroy your guitars due to temperature is going from a frozen state in the case to a very warm environment, opening the case and suddenly shocking the guitar or the other temperature extreme. My brother borrowed a guitar, left it in his car in sub zero temps for 3 days, was running late to a gig and opened the case as soon as he got in the venue. He said it sounded like breaking glass. Luckily the headstock didn't snap but unfortunately the finish did not fare as well. It went from being a beautiful mint blueburst Dean ML to the ugliest, I guess martianburst cracked up finish I've seen. Just saying...be careful. When I get to a gig I bring in the guitars first and if they have 3 latches lay the cases flat, open the outside 2 latches leaving the center one latched and give the 30 minutes to get to room temp.

On your problems, the heat will make your strings go out of tune. Not much can be done about that if they are new or newish. As for the condensation, If a guitar/case combo has problems with that, I lay a hand towel over the top of the guitar before I close the case. It may not keep it totally dry but it will absorb some of the moisture anyway.

For the already rusted stuff, WD40. If it is flash rust and not very deep you can keep it assembled, spray it, leave it sit for 10-15 minutes then wipe it down. A light coating of oil wiped on rust prone parts will help keep them rust free.

 

[Oinkus]

Re: Guitars and temp.../ atten road dogs

If you are oiling metal parts get some Tri-Flow , use it on your bridge saddles and nut too http://www.stewmac.com/Shopping?actn=search&keyword=tri+flow&x=14&y=10

 

[koshikas]

Re: Guitars and temp.../ atten road dogs

guitars kept in cars in high temperatures is also another way of depotting the pickups of what little wax in them

 

[Laughing Kookaburra]

Re: Guitars and temp.../ atten road dogs

+1 to ThunderLizard's suggestion of keeping your guitar in case to acclimate. All my road travel has been in the cold of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, and the guitars were in the truck long enough to be very cold. Letting the guitar acclimate in case has always served me well.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Guitars and temp.../ atten road dogs

I've found that if you clean 'em off and lightly oil anything that rusts from time to time (when you change strings) you can prevent rust. FWIW, I use bike chain lube on my SoCal and it works great . . . forms a very thin layer over the parts that acts like a barrier to rust.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Guitars and temp.../ atten road dogs

If you are really getting condensation, Silica Gel packs and Planet Waves Humidipacks will both absorb excess humidity.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Guitars and temp.../ atten road dogs

Thanks for the info all! Yeah, I ALWAYS try to sheild them from extreme hot and cold as I know this isnt good for them, but I know that alot of guitars have endured alot of extremes over the years in trailers and vans and stuff as guys have toured for decades, so they cant be that fragile.
Any how, I recently took the silica packs out, so Ill toss those back in. I took a q tip and coated em with WD40 and am gonna replace them with stainless screws. Ive just never had a guitar rust so quick. Even my 1980s guitars.

I do usually allow my guitars to acclimate. Mostly if they have been cold. This was the first time i really rushed it cuz I had limited time. Prolly why it was so out of tune.
oinkus, Ill get some tri flow.. Thanks!
Koshikas, Im not sure what the melting temp would be, but I try to NEVER let em get that hot! I wont leave a guitar in the car here in the summer. 90-100+. matter of fact, I was going to buy one of those Switch guitars so I could leave it in the car year round so I always have one with me, but they quit making them and I ran outta cash..
GuitarStv, chain lube would be a good idea, but wouldnt it gum up?

Thanks again!

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Guitars and temp.../ atten road dogs

Don't glop it on, just wipe on/wipe off . . . . works fine for me.

 

[Gone_Shootin]

Re: Guitars and temp.../ atten road dogs

I don't know if you can get it over there, but if you can find it, Break Free Collector gun oil is damn good for protecting metal parts. I use it on all of my guns and any other metal things I want to stay nice, because it satys put quite well.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Guitars and temp.../ atten road dogs

I don't know if you can get it over there, but if you can find it, Break Free Collector gun oil is damn good for protecting metal parts. I use it on all of my guns and any other metal things I want to stay nice, because it satys put quite well.

thanks for the tip! Ill check the big gun store we have here in town. I went online at KGC today and ordered some stainless steel screws. wish they came in black, but oh well.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: Guitars and temp.../ atten road dogs

you would not leave a child in a car on a hot day, or in the back of a truck in subzero temperatures.
Treat your guitars the same as you would treat a person and you'll be fine.
if you have left your axe in hot or cold temperatures, don't take them out of the case straight away, just open the case lid a crack for as long as you think it needs to equalize to room temperature.

 

[JOLLY]

Re: Guitars and temp.../ atten road dogs

I keep all of my guitars out of their cases in the shed in the back yard with my mower. tools, shovels, etc.... They love the elements.

 

[crusty philtrum]

Re: Guitars and temp.../ atten road dogs

I keep all of my guitars out of their cases in the shed in the back yard with my mower. tools, shovels, etc.... They love the elements.

Pfft. I hang mine in the trees. I mean, they come from trees in the first place, right ?

 

[SlyFoxx]

Re: Guitars and temp.../ atten road dogs

Heck, I've moved out of my house and now live in the big oak tree in my backyard. The squirrels did not like it at first but once they realized I usually have peanuts and love to torture Aceman things were OK.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Guitars and temp.../ atten road dogs

you would not leave a child in a car on a hot day, or in the back of a truck in subzero temperatures.

Depends on the child in question. . .

 

[JOLLY]

Re: Guitars and temp.../ atten road dogs

Depends on the child in question. . .

Your parents didn't seem to mind doing it.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Guitars and temp.../ atten road dogs

Dad? Is that you?

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Guitars and temp.../ atten road dogs

you would not leave a child in a car on a hot day, or in the back of a truck in subzero temperatures.
Treat your guitars the same as you would treat a person and you'll be fine.
if you have left your axe in hot or cold temperatures, don't take them out of the case straight away, just open the case lid a crack for as long as you think it needs to equalize to room temperature.

If I didnt fear a visit from children and family services, Id admit I treat my guitars better... haha j/k Yeah, I ALWAYS try to keep them as close to room temp and protect them like babies and baby them against the cold even more, and yeah, know to try to aclimate them. I just had very limited time this day and also had never noticed condensation on a guitar before. I figure even had a left the case cracked, that condensation would have happened and was worried about that. plus, again, just kinda curious about how the touring guys did things as Ive heard stories about the equip being in trailers, trunks, etc and had gear survive.
Thanks for all the input. Im just gonna keep babying it as much as I can, and try to make sure to let it aclimate in the case and then with the cases cracked for awhile. Sounds like the plan..

 

[JohnZAH]

Re: Guitars and temp.../ atten road dogs

I treat them pretty nice but I toured heavily for several years; both hot and cold temperature. Really it depends on the guitar itself, for example, My tele can take anything i throw at it while the les paul is a little more temperamental. definitely let them acclimate in the case, tune up to pitch and you should be fine.

My guitars lived in a trailer all summer on warped tour for two years and they haven't exploded yet. :dunno: