Shipping a Guitar in Hot Weather

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Author Message Michaelkaufman Username: Michaelkaufman Registered: 11-2002 Posted on Monday, July 17, 2006 - 5:58 pm:    I just purchased a semi-hollow and it needs to be shipped from CA to NY. Ground shipping could take 7-10 days. Obviously, overnight is an option. I'm worried about the heat. Most of the USA is between 90 & 100 degrees (farenheit, of course!), and I'm worried about potential guitar damage. Should I be concerned? If it's sent overnight, it still could be exposed to these extreme temps for 24 hours, or even possibly more. Should I wait until cooler weather, which could be at least another month? Thanks! mk Markownly Username: Markownly Registered: 03-2006 Posted on Monday, July 17, 2006 - 6:19 pm:    MK, What you do, is have it shipped here to me in Ohio, i'll take care of it for you!!! I'm teasing with ya of course, I don't have a answer to your questions, but let me say,, that is a VERY valid concern, good thinking,and good planning. Mark Ibanezfreak1960 Username: Ibanezfreak1960 Registered: 03-2004 Posted on Monday, July 17, 2006 - 7:04 pm:    MK As you know Ibanez' are shipped by vessel and go through a lot of changes. I would worry more about extreme temp changes then just heat. I think you'll be ok. Gemberbier Username: Gemberbier Registered: 05-2006 Posted on Monday, July 17, 2006 - 8:11 pm:    For classical guitars and flattops I have these Kyser moisteners you place in the soundhole. They are black round rubbers with a sponge inside, you fill with water. If they are available in f-hole form, you could ask the seller to ad these at cost price (filled) in the case, to prevent fissures. The risk is smaller because the body is laminated, but fissures in the veneer may occur. Cross my fingers for you and the... AS50 I presume??? But if the seller agrees you could wait, especially now the buyer of your AM50 backed out. You still have a nice guitar to play. Greetz, Ginger Ale Michaelkaufman Username: Michaelkaufman Registered: 11-2002 Posted on Monday, July 17, 2006 - 11:26 pm:    I couldn't find an AS50 (my quest continues), so I settled for a 2630. Guitartim Username: Guitartim Registered: 04-2001 Posted on Tuesday, July 18, 2006 - 1:26 pm:    MK~Congratulations on your 2630 purchase! That is one of my favorite (and first) Ibanez gits. As far as shipping in a heatwave, I'd recommend spending the extra cash to have it delivered via overnight air. Maybe the seller will split the extra cost so you receive your new baby without risk of damage. Ask the seller to loosen the strings too, so that there is less tension on the set neck. The neck heel seem could experience lacquer cracks just due to age, so additional heat/humidity and bouncing around in a hot truck would not be a good thing for her. High humidity is the worst culprit. As Ginger Ale correctly recommended, de-humidifiers can also help. You want to prevent the expansion and contraction that occurs to wood during prolonged exposure to heat/humidity. Not as much a problem with laminated bodies, but the 2630 is probaby 1978 or 1979 vintage, so 28 years or so of 'life' may have had an effect on its binding as well. No need to insult it any more than needed. Good luck...and let's see photos after delivery. Tim Gemberbier Username: Gemberbier Registered: 05-2006 Posted on Tuesday, July 18, 2006 - 4:49 pm:    No, I was talking about a HUMIDIFIER like this one: http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Accessories/Humidifier.html OR THIS ONE, especially for f-holes: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Glaesel-GL3862-ViolinViola-Humidifier?sku =420648 If you're having a heat wave there like we're having in Europe, and they send it during the daytime, it's the DROUGHT you should worry about! It could cause fissures in the body and even a split fretboard! This goes also for the winter time when it's dry and freezing! Use a hygrometer and a HUMIDIFIER! Overnight you might have some humidity, but that was not the first thing I was thinking of. (De-humidifiers are just bags with silica gel. You can use simple paper bags or professional linen or cotton bags. The paper bags with silica gel cost nothing, they are with each pair of shoes in the box.) CONFUSED? THE BEST TIP, I CAN GIVE YOU: Talk to a real luthier about what you should do! Greetz, Ginger Ale Ibanezfreak1960 Username: Ibanezfreak1960 Registered: 03-2004 Posted on Tuesday, July 18, 2006 - 5:47 pm:    I use the violin/viola one you mention for my mandolin. Being laminated makes it less risky. Solid woods will crack from hight heat and freezing temps. Ibanezfreak1960 Username: Ibanezfreak1960 Registered: 03-2004 Posted on Tuesday, July 18, 2006 - 5:56 pm:    Here is a bit of info I lifted from a guitar manufacturer site... Solid wood instruments are very responsive to their relative environments. If humidity levels are out of balance your guitar could warp, crack, or incur some type of trauma. Keeping humidity constant doesn't have to be difficult; however it is necessary to maintain the beauty and sound of your guitar for years to come. The relative humidity (RH) of the air surrounding your guitar should be between 40% and 60%. If you store your guitar on an open stand, your guitar is subject to the humidity of the open air. This is fine if the humidity happens to stay around 50%, but in most cases you will want more control over humidity. Relative humidity can vary indoors just as it can outdoors especially with the use of heat in the winter seasons and air conditioning in the summer seasons. An easy solution is to store your guitar in the case when not in use. The case can slow the rate of change in how the guitar responds to the humidity and can be used in conjunction with a humidifier. Just as any solid wood guitar can dry out; it can also retain excess moisture and become too "wet." An overly moist guitar will show signs of swelling on the top or back. It can compromise glue joints, loosen bridges, and cause bubbles to appear in the finish. If your guitar is showing signs of excessive moisture, a simple solution is to use a silica gel packet. These can be found at any music store and can be placed in the case with the guitar overnight to reduce moisture.

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