Official Luthiers Forum!

Owned and operated by Lance Kragenbrink
It is currently Sat Nov 23, 2024 9:25 pm


All times are UTC - 5 hours





Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 6 posts ] 
Author Message
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 4:17 pm 
Offline
Mahogany
Mahogany

Joined: Sun Jan 16, 2005 6:52 am
Posts: 77
Location: United Kingdom
Hi guys,

someone was asking if there would be any problems keeping the strings off a guitar for a long period of time.

Personally I think there's no issue there.

Now I know guitars are designed to resist string tension-I've never heard of issues resulting from NO tension... what do you wise folks reckon?


Warmest regards,
Terence


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 4:35 pm 
Offline
Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood
User avatar

Joined: Wed Feb 01, 2006 3:25 am
Posts: 3788
Location: Russellville, Arkansas
Most all the players request the truss rods be let off if leaving the strings off over a time.

I don't see a big issue, either way. Strings should pull the neck right back into position if the rod isn't adjusted neutral.

Piece of cake either way. Just common sense to let it off I say.

Did you get moved yet?

_________________
http://www.dickeyguitars.com


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 4:48 pm 
Offline
Mahogany
Mahogany

Joined: Sun Jan 16, 2005 6:52 am
Posts: 77
Location: United Kingdom
Hi Bruce,

thanks!

yeah, I'm in Singapore now.... all that humidity means my dehumidifier is getting a good work out- but I'm impressed that it gets humidity from 80% down to 45%!

Warmest regards,
Terence


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 4:56 pm 
Offline
Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Sat Dec 03, 2005 10:04 am
Posts: 2060
The biggest thing to consider I think, is that wood does have something of a
memory. If an instrument is left under heavy tension with a loose truss rod
and tons of relief, or no tension with the rod cranking the neck in to
backbow, the wood may wish to retain that shape if it is stored that way for
too long.

So pretty much what Bruce said. If you're shipping it, loosen the strings
without a second thought. If a guitar is going to sit on a shelf in a collection
for years, you may still want to loosen the strings but make sure the truss
rod is appropriately loosened as well.

_________________
Eschew obfuscation, espouse elucidation.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 10:12 pm 
Offline
Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood
User avatar

Joined: Thu Jan 06, 2005 7:29 am
Posts: 3840
Location: England
Terence, hope you like it in Singapore, probably get less rain than you'd get at home, even during the monsoon!

Anyway, at the museums that I do some restoration for (RCM, RAM, Horniman) the policy is to leave strings on all of the instruments and to leave them at about half tension. The instrument wood then gets to remember that it works under tension, but there is not so much as likely to pull an iffy bridge off or whatever (I'd only have to glue it back!). No truss rods to bother with.

I do the same with my own guitars and lutes, apart from the ones I keep ready for an improptu twiddle, as many of them will only get an annual outing.

Colin

_________________
I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Mon Sep 03, 2007 11:34 pm 
Offline
Mahogany
Mahogany

Joined: Sun Jan 16, 2005 6:52 am
Posts: 77
Location: United Kingdom
Well, the lack of flooding is plus! Thanks for your input Colin and guys!


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 6 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 5 hours


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 14 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
phpBB customization services by 2by2host.com