storing cab in cold garage?

[cheezemaster]

I store my 4x12 cabinet in the garage as there's no real good place for it in the house.

With it being winter, it obviously gets chilly out there - not sure if it ever gets below freezing, but it's close. Is this going to cause any harm to the speakers? It's not real high end or anything (Ampeg cab with cheap Celestions) - just wondering.

Incidentally, I do take my head inside - i assume the cold temps wouldn't be good for the tubes.

 

[Rich_S]

Re: storing cab in cold garage?

The cold won't really effect the cab or the amp - it's warming it up too fast that might do damage. Just let it get used to a warm room before you play it, adn them warm it up slowly. Don't go from cold garage to full-volume onslaught in the space of five minutes.

 

[Hellion]

Re: storing cab in cold garage?

+1

 

[uOpt]

Re: storing cab in cold garage?

The question is whether temperature changes cause moisture buildup, which will ruin the speaker's membranes and/or can cause corrosion on metal parts. If it's dry with reasonably constant temperature it might be fine.

 

[WhoFan]

Re: storing cab in cold garage?

i ended up storing my 5150 cab in a not too damp basement for years and that drove me nuts... so i finally removed my clothes out of my closet and it's not were i store a lot of my gear!!! ha ha ha....

i hate store gear in places like garages and basements... not good in my mind... but you sometimes do what you have to do...

 

[lpmarshall]

Re: storing cab in cold garage?

I would also be afraid the wood wouldn't like such drastic temperature changes.

Any chance you have a friend or relative with some extra space in their basement?

 

[BloodRose]

Re: storing cab in cold garage?

great thread!! I wouldnt think anything of my cab getting cold, just not damp.. But, I may have to put my tube head in my storage unit, so I was real concerned about it. But will let it warm before I power it up..

 

[cheezemaster]

Re: storing cab in cold garage?

thanks for the replies. yeah - i keep my head and (obviously) guitars inside.
being in Colorado, it's not super damp. So far no issues.. I'm not too worried... just wondering. I think a bigger threat is me running into it with the car!!

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: storing cab in cold garage?

Moisture in the air is the biggest concern. You may want to find a cardboard 412 box at your local music store, and tape a bunch of silicon paks to the inside of it. It'll also keep insects out.

After seeing so many corroded chassis on amps, I don't think I'd leave a head or combo out there. I usually stack them in the back of a closet on end.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: storing cab in cold garage?

thanks for the replies. yeah - i keep my head and (obviously) guitars inside.
being in Colorado, it's not super damp. So far no issues.. I'm not too worried... just wondering. I think a bigger threat is me running into it with the car!!

Yeah a car would be hazardous.

Now, I live in FL, the mildew capital of the world.. Our state flower should be Toxic mold spore...

My storage unit is pretty dry and all, just not temp controlled .

Gearjoneser,
Is it ok to store them stood on end? I can squeeze it in my closet..cool.

 

[vladmarr]

Re: storing cab in cold garage?

Yeah a car would be hazardous.

Now, I live in FL, the mildew capital of the world.. Our state flower should be Toxic mold spore...

ok, that's just funny!

 

[Markk]

Re: storing cab in cold garage?

whatever route you take, I'd elevate it a little off the floor. At least a carpet or something. And those silicon packs are a good idea as well. If you're going to store it in a cardboard box, then maybe baking soda? (the stuff you put in your fridge) or maybe even a bowl of rice or something to help suck in moisture. Just throwing out ideas.

 

[Perry D]

Re: storing cab in cold garage?

that sucks. im really anal when it comes to any of my gear being in the cold. if i take my guitar somewhere (in the case of course) and its in the car for any period of time, i feel guilty. if it were me i would be finding room in the house somewhere. right next to the tv lol

 

[BloodRose]

Re: storing cab in cold garage?

that sucks. im really anal when it comes to any of my gear being in the cold. if i take my guitar somewhere (in the case of course) and its in the car for any period of time, i feel guilty. if it were me i would be finding room in the house somewhere. right next to the tv lol

Yeah, I always get worried sick if my gear is subject to hot or cold at all.. But then I remind myself of all the bands over history that have lived in a car or van driving all over the country trying to make it and the gear was subject to all kinda stuff and they survived.. I mean, I try to keep it stable, but I try not to freak out if it spends 15 min in the truck

 

[kmcguitars]

Re: storing cab in cold garage?

I've got my P.A. system out in the shed.:eyecrazy: It was 14 degrees last night in N.Y. It's NOT the ideal place to store it, But I've owned it for 15 years, And I can think of at least 2 other winters it spent in the shed. It's still alive! If I knew I had a gig coming up, I'd bring it inside a few days B4 to let it unchill, And face my wife's wrath.:naughty: