Electric guitars are one of the most common musical instruments, but like all instruments, they can take up a great deal of space in your home if they are not being used. Because electric guitars carry significant monetary and sentimental value, it may be a good idea to consider putting them into a self-storage unit if you are looking to free up some space in your home. However, before you actually put your electric guitar into a storage unit, you should adequately prepare it for a long period of storage so that it does not become damaged and the sound is maintained.

Maintenance

Before you move your guitar into a storage locker, you'll need to perform some basic maintenance. General cleaning will remove dirt and oils which can damage the body of your guitar, so wiping it down is a good idea. You'll also want to apply wax and polish designed for your body's specific material (wood will have different wax and polish than carbon fiber, for instance). You should also take care to loosen the strings on your guitar in order to lessen the tension on the neck and body. While you shouldn't leave them slack, as this can cause the strings themselves to degrade, turning them one twist looser than normal can help maintain the structural integrity of your guitar.

Cases and Proper Storage Techniques

Obviously, you'll want to keep your electric guitar in a case, as this will protect your guitar from any sort of physical damage while also keeping out moisture and pests. Look for a case that fits your guitar snugly, so that it has no extra room to move around while in transit. You should always store your guitar case on its side, however, as no matter how protective the case, a falling guitar is always at risk of breaking the neck off of the body.

Climate Control Storage Units

Finally, the last thing that you should consider while picking a storage unit for your electric guitar is whether or not you want to invest in a climate controlled unit. Climate controlled storage provides protection against temperature fluctuations and high humidity, both of which can cause severe damage and sound alteration to an electric guitar by breaking down the glue in your guitar, and even encouraging rust and mold growth. While this is an added expense, the added protection to your electric guitar and any other belongings that you put into storage is well worth it.

Check with companies like Stadium Storage for more information.

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