Guitar Storage

Stand Made offers a broad range of guitar storage solutions. Quite simply over ten years we have carefully listened and responded to the needs of our customers and as a result, created a unique range of products that not only elegantly display their instruments but offer fine pieces of oak furniture taking pride of place in thousands of homes around the world.

Guitar Storage Solutions from Stand MadeAt Stand Made we are all passionate guitar players and as a result, are often asked to advise how best to store and secure guitars. So here are 7 top tips that we have picked up along the way for safely storing and securing your guitars.

Guitar Storage Tips

Guitar Cases – If your guitar comes with a hard-shell case then, without doubt, this is the safest place to store it. If you don’t mind handling cases before and after playing then you can relax knowing your guitars are fully protected from knocks & bangs, dust, grime and changes in temperature.

If your guitar does not have a hard case and you are looking to buy one, then there are a variety of shapes and sizes to cater to the countless brands and guitar models out there. Often made from wood or ABS plastic and covered in Tolex.

Soft, fabric gig cases are fine for keeping the dust at bay and for avoiding light knocks and scuffs at home. However, if you are planning to jump on and off public transport, carry your guitar to rehearsals then a better quality gig bag with robust padding is advisable.

Any time you are loading your guitar into a vehicle along with other equipment, we would really recommend the safety of a hard-shell case!

Storing Cases – The first and most basic rule is to store your cases standing up and not lying down with one case on top of another. When storing several guitars, the cases should look like suits on a rack rather than a giant deck of cards. If standing them up isn’t an option, store your guitars (in their cases) on their sides, with the upper side pointing up.

If possible, store your guitars in a room nearer to the center of the building rather than near an outside wall. This helps maintain a constant temperature and is especially helpful if you live in an area that experiences climatic extremes. A case humidifier is a good idea during dry winter months.

Guitar Stands – If you prefer having your guitars individually out and on display, facing forward and available to just pick up and play, there many types of single guitar stands available. One thing for sure, they are much better than relying on gravity and just propping your guitar against a wall!

Even if you primarily store your guitars in their cases, a single floor stand is extremely handy for holding your instrument when taking a short break in between playing. If you are able, you might even want to have an instrument available in every room although you should avoid positioning them anywhere in direct sunlight or a conservatory/orangery where the humidity could seriously affect your instrument’s long-term condition.

Although adjustable stands are readily available most only accommodate the regular body depth of either an Acoustic or Electric Guitar – so be sure to check which one you are buying.

Guitar Racks – If you are lucky enough to have more than one guitar and love swapping instruments, sounds, and styles while playing, then a Guitar Rack (or multi-stand) provides easy access and a more efficient use of floor space than a collection of single floor stands grouped together. By design, your guitars are stored gently leaning on their side rather than facing forward which can initially feel odd, but you will soon get used to it and enjoy playing them more regularly.

Storing Guitars for Long Periods Without Being Played – Guitars do not need regular tension when in storage but having no string tension at all can lead to neck bowing. So, whether they are kept in their cases or out on display, keep the string tension on the neck, but loosen the strings one or two half steps.

Guitar Finish Compatibility – We have effectively tested thousands of guitars on our full range of quality cushioned channels including felt coated foam and leather, however, the scale and variety of finishing lacquers, varnishes and polishes produced and used by guitar manufacturers over many decades, has made it impossible for any Stand manufacturer to test all of them. We therefore still advise all of our customers to keep a regular check on the contact points between their guitars and any new make/model of guitar stand.

Read your Owner’s Manual/Handbook – Most guitars are originally sold with an owner’s manual where specific advice from the manufacturer/luthier on how to maintain and keep it safe is provided – we advise reading this carefully

If you are buying a new or “used” guitar without a manual then it’s well worth getting a copy if possible or asking the previous owner/seller for as much information about its history as possible – it may have never been stored out of its original case or put on any type of stand before!

Guitar Stands & Racks

If you are looking for the ideal guitar storage solution then check out our range of premium quality, oak wood guitar stands, and racks – all are individually handmade to order and with free mainland UK delivery.