Hanging a guitar by its neck ?

S

Scatterwound

New member
Hi All,

Just wondering could there be anything wrong with hanging electric guitars from the neck using those Hercules hangers for long periods....I mean the stores use these all the time.....I have about 6 electrics on my wall at home I display this way....Had a friend over who saw them...He is not a guitar person but was wondering of any ill effect for long periods....Is there a possible issue?
 
Re: Hanging a guitar by its neck ?

Based on the fact that stores hang guitars like that for what seems like forever, I wouldn't worry.
 
Re: Hanging a guitar by its neck ?

I hang mine on the wall as well as keep them in cases. I find the necks need less truss rod adjustments when kept in their cases. So I keep most of my guitars on the wall, but my #1 player- my PRS, in its case.

I've been doing it for years, there's no harm hanging them, though as I indicated, since they're kept in the open rather than a comfy case they require more maintenance if hung
 
Re: Hanging a guitar by its neck ?

String tension exerts a lot more force on the neck than gravity when hanging on a wall. In fact, most single strings exert about double the weight of the guitar.
 
Re: Hanging a guitar by its neck ?

aleclee said:
String tension exerts a lot more force on the neck than gravity when hanging on a wall. In fact, most single strings exert about double the weight of the guitar.
Click to expand...

This.

That said, there are a few things to keep in mind with hanging guitars on the wall:

- If the wall they're on gets lots of natural light, the finish will start to yellow. Depending on your perspective, this is either a good or bad thing.

- If any of your guitars have a nitro finish, make sure you wrap the hangers in some kind of cloth or felt. DO NOT let the foam parts of the hangers touch the nitro! That foam they use will bond to the nitro and ruin it. I've made this mistake myself unfortunately. Now I cut up an old T shirt and wrap it around the "fork" with a rubber band. (This tip applies to any kind of stand with foam padding, actually). With poly finish you don't have to worry about this.

- DO NOT hang a solid wood (i.e. high quality) acoustic on the wall, especially in the winter. The reason is that the air temperature and humidity increases a great deal as you approach the ceiling, and the temperature differences between the neck and the body can cause warping and cracking. In a heated room the room temperature can change by ten degrees from floor to ceiling. Keep your acoustics in their cases in the winter, and on floor stands in the summer.

In terms of damage caused by gravity though - not a problem.
 
Re: Hanging a guitar by its neck ?

ratherdashing said:
- If the wall they're on gets lots of natural light, the finish will start to yellow. Depending on your perspective, this is either a good or bad thing.
Click to expand...

My Guild dreadnought is much more beautiful now than it used to be, thanks to years of sun tanning.

Also, my Squier '51's maple neck turned from white to a color actually recognizable as wood
 
Re: Hanging a guitar by its neck ?

+1 on the yellowing cool factor. I turned some plastic knobs from stark white to a vintage yellow over the years by sun bathing them.
 
Re: Hanging a guitar by its neck ?

Other than the exposure to the elements (light, dust, etc.), hanging a guitar by it's neck is the best way to store it besides keeping it in the case. Better than on a stand for long periods of times. I prefer to keep mine in the case so that it is fully protected, but hanging it by the neck will not hurt it and is actually good for the guitar. It counteracts some of the tension from the strings.
 
Re: Hanging a guitar by its neck ?

Everybody is right on. A modern poly finish guitar will not be affected much. Guitar neck faces much more strain on a regular day. The neck takes amazing strain from strings. Not much from the weight of the body. Almost negligible.

Actually a +1 for good taste and decorating style and FLAIR!
 
Re: Hanging a guitar by its neck ?

Gibson's, Heritages - Nitro many high end PRS - Nitro. Most of the time when a builder uses nitro, they will "advertise" it on the spec card of the guitar.
 
Re: Hanging a guitar by its neck ?

In TX, humidity is king and my acoustic guitars love it. Funny timing on this thread. I just picked up four more string swings, one of them a tiny violin/uke one for my ukulele.
 
Re: Hanging a guitar by its neck ?

In my expirience the only way to really damage a guitars neck/ headstock from everyday use is when the guitar is laid flat, resting on the headstock, i know for a fact just doing that can break the neck... Thats when **** hits the fan.
 
Re: Hanging a guitar by its neck ?

ILiies said:
In my expirience the only way to really damage a guitars neck/ headstock from everyday use is when the guitar is laid flat, resting on the headstock, i know for a fact just doing that can break the neck... Thats when **** hits the fan.
Click to expand...

Yep. You are basically adding the weight of the guitar to the tension on the neck already imposed by the strings when you lay it that way. Hanging the guitar by the headstock has the opposite effect and actually relieves some of the stress from the strings.
 
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