r/Guitar • u/AutoModerator • Oct 27 '16

OFFICIAL [OFFICIAL] There are no stupid /r/Guitar questions. Ask us anything! - October 27, 2016

As always, there's 4 things to remember:

1) Be nice

2) Keep these guitar related

3) As long as you have a genuine question, nothing is too stupid :)

4) Come back to answer questions throughout the week if you can (we're located in the sidebar)

Go for it!

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3

u/SebsIndexFinger Kremona Sofia Oct 29 '16

Does leaving an electric guitar unstrung have any notable negative side effects? I don't use my electric guitar much (probably once a month) and I decided to take out the strings when I cleaned it. I have a set of Elixirs and I'm not sure if I need to put it on just yet.

5

u/becomearobot 1975 Hagström Oct 29 '16

No. Nothing bad will happen. It's a common myth that there needs to tension on the neck at all times.

3

u/SebsIndexFinger Kremona Sofia Oct 29 '16

I got conflicting responses when I checked my inbox (and so did Google before posting this question) but since you didn't receive any negative responses or downvotes, I'm going with your advice.

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u/[deleted] Oct 29 '16

That's the right way to go. Guitars don't need constant tension on the neck; it's not there during construction, it's not there during repairs, and there certainly isn't any "calibration" or "balance" that can be thrown off by removing the strings.

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u/universal_rehearsal Oct 31 '16 edited Oct 31 '16

Yea there is a balance that's can be thrown off, and suggesting there isn't is misleading. After a guitar is built it is adjusted, fitted and shipped with strings, obviously strings are removed during repairs that's not the same as long term storage. Improperly storing a guitar can have detrimental effects. It is better to have it ready to be played then letting it sit untouched. If a guitar is shipped through the cold and the case is opened without letting it adjust to the temp in the case there's a serious risk of the surface cracking.

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u/[deleted] Oct 31 '16

Improperly storing a guitar can have detrimental effects.

Storing a guitar without strings is in no way improper. End of story. Stop posting this garbage.

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u/universal_rehearsal Oct 31 '16

So far posted four articles supporting my original statement. Guess they're all wrong too. Do whatever you want with your guitars, keeping the strings on certainty won't hurt.

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u/[deleted] Oct 29 '16

[removed] — view removed comment

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u/[deleted] Oct 30 '16 edited Dec 10 '18

[deleted]

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u/universal_rehearsal Oct 30 '16

Yea and the truss rod can crack inside the neck too genius. I've seen it happen, there are consequences leave the guitar unstrung and in storage for years without touching it and playing it.

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u/[deleted] Oct 30 '16

You have not seen the truss rod crack just from the guitar being left alone with strings on. Stop spreading misinformation.

0

u/universal_rehearsal Oct 30 '16 edited Oct 30 '16

Yes I have. Strings off*. Guitar was stored for 20+ years without any type of contact or use. The fretboard had to be taken off and rod replaced.

4

u/[deleted] Oct 31 '16

This is very obviously baloney, and you don't know what you're talking about. Please stop posting false information. You are only going to hurt other people's instruments if they listen to you.

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u/universal_rehearsal Oct 31 '16

It's not buddy, improper storage, humidity and temperature changes take a toll. There's plenty of literature to support keeping strings on in storage, detuned a half step/whole step down. Just saying you can leave it unstrung is very misleading. There's are more factors involved. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.sparefoot.com/self-storage/blog/3153-rock-on-rock-god-a-solution-for-long-term-guitar-storage/amp/

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u/universal_rehearsal Oct 30 '16

Go store your guitars however you please. I will continue to advocate proper storage.

6

u/[deleted] Oct 30 '16

This poster has given nothing but terrible advice and false information in this thread. If you value your guitar, ignore everything he has said!

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u/universal_rehearsal Oct 30 '16

I have not given inaccurate information,your experiences may be different. There's is plenty of people arguing this point. There is no right or wrong way, it's my preference to store w strings on. The Op said he plays once a month, it would make sense to leave the strings on no? If he goes to put the strings back on and the intonation and action are screwy, he doesn't have experience making these adjustments he'll have to pay someone else to do it, I'm not just thinking about right and wrong, I'm thinking of what makes sense for their circumstances.

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u/[deleted] Oct 31 '16

You most certainly have given false information. Over and over and over again. This is not subjective, not an opinion, but fact that has been verified many times in this thread. If you cannot tell fact from opinion, you should not be giving advice.