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Long term guitar storage - great big Ziplock?

geoff_hartwell

Asked by geoff_hartwell,

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geoff_hartwell Veteran HFCer

geoff_hartwell

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Posted

Howdy folks,

anybody know if there are large ziplock bags, like vacuum bags for storing clothes and blankets, big enough to fit guitar cases?

and if not, who can make some for me?

:)

GH

26 answers to this question

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geoff_hartwell Veteran HFCer

geoff_hartwell

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Body bags, and zippers, aren't airtight. Close but no cigar. If you can find me a serious solution, I'd be glad to hear it.

And the "why" is for humidity. I have a lot of guitars and if I leave any of them in the case for a year or so before I get around to playing it, the strings are shitty, frets are tarnished, etc.

Any serious leads?

Hbom Veteran HFCer

Hbom

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Have you looked at Amazon? They have a lot of different vacuum bags in large sizes. Nothing specific for guitars but many that might be OK size wise.

http://www.amazon.com/Jumbo-Vacuum-Storage-Double-Travel/dp/B00WJJ4ZT2?ie=UTF8&keywords=large%20vacuum%20storage%20bags&qid=1461172441&ref_=sr_1_5&sr=8-5

http://www.amazon.com/DIBAG-Bags-Pack-Set-23-6X15-7/dp/B00YT2ND72?ie=UTF8&keywords=large%20vacuum%20storage%20bags&qid=1461172441&ref_=sr_1_6&sr=8-6

geoff_hartwell Veteran HFCer

geoff_hartwell

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Nice!

dont know if any of those will fit a case...

It might be too much to hope for to have a few big enough for Standard cases,

but a bunch in Artist/Duotone size would be a big help!

django49 Veteran HFCer

django49

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Are those silica desiccant packets an option? I have heard they work great. And you can buy them in bulk cheaply.

 

Studio Custom Veteran HFCer

Studio Custom

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How about a "serious" solution, like a dehumidifier?

My studio has a built auto-fill humidifier and a dehumidifier that drains to a dump pump, now THAT's a serious solution that requires zero effort once installed.  

geoff_hartwell Veteran HFCer

geoff_hartwell

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31 minutes ago, Studio Custom said:

How about a "serious" solution, like a dehumidifier?

My studio has a built auto-fill humidifier and a dehumidifier that drains to a dump pump, now THAT's a serious solution that requires zero effort once installed.  

I would love to, but the house is over a hundred years old and it's not practical to have them all in one place, and I don't want a bunch of systems really.

They're in rooms and closets all over. 

Im curious, my dad had big ones mounted on platforms near the ceiling that drained into the wall. I'm sure that's way old school- does your studio system have a single unit In a wall or corner? Did you need to position it relative to plumbing?

 

57 minutes ago, murkat said:

not a good idea.

de gas in a air tight bag, not a good idea

Murkat, do the chemicals from the plastic in the actual bag do bad things to the instruments?

ive heard good things about the skb 3i ata cases. I have a few for sound gear and they've been great.

just don't want to buy more expensive bulky cases... :)

murkat Veteran HFCer

murkat

Posted
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most guitars and cases are organic in glues, solvents, plastics, etc.

Most listed above have to "breath", some circulating air.

If it can not "breath", the de gassing can not breath, it is contained, end result in contamination and degradation.

Most common in degassing materials on guitars, cases~

Lacquer finishes

Glues

Plastics

vinyl coverings and glues

carpet types

 

I have seen many in my day at the GCS/PS where some guys would bring in there prized Gibsons just melting in one form or another

expecting them to be fixed under warranty, etc. Not a happy scene to see, believe.

fwiw

Quote

 

 

The Shark Veteran HFCer

The Shark

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I wouldn't want to play guinea pig on this idea.  In theory, it sounds like the best decision for the situation (guitars in multiple areas of storage).  I think that's the problem.  I don't have a better idea, but I'd defer to Jay.  I'd want to see someone else test this out first. 

tomteriffic Veteran HFCer

tomteriffic

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I'd second Jay of the off-gassing in a small sealed space.  Since your biggest issue seems to be with oxidation, which is typically humidity related, a few silica gel packs in the cases would likely do the trick.  You can buy them in bulk cheaply.  And what isn't well-known is that you can refresh them by putting them in the microwave for a minute or two.

If you have them stashed in closets that otherwise are rarely opened, the same silica gel material can be found in bulk cans at shooter's supply stores.  It's intended to be put in gun safes to keep the rust away.

Bloozguy Veteran HFCer

Bloozguy

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On 4/20/2016 at 2:00 PM, geoff_hartwell said:

Murkat, do the chemicals from the plastic in the actual bag do bad things to the instruments?

ive heard good things about the skb 3i ata cases. I have a few for sound gear and they've been great.

just don't want to buy more expensive bulky cases... :)

Sealing them up in a normal plastic bag is inviting "bi-directional" disaster. The plasticizing chemicals used in molding and sheeting operations can be rough on instrument finishes and the instrument finishes need to "outgas" freely. So does the adhesive used to apply the fur to the inside and tolex to the outside of cases. Most of the instruments shipped from Asia have polyurethane finishes that are resistant to darn near anything and the containers are sealed in aluminized mylar bags with silica gel packages inside. Nearly all of the high end stuff (with good lacquer) from overseas is shipped by air and does not spend too much time totally sealed up.

If you look around the web you should be able to find aluminized bags that would fit guitar cases along with a pack or two of silica gel. I just wouldn't do that with either an instrument or case that was too new.

Teh Veteran HFCer

Teh

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If you're keeping them in cases and don't live in the desert, check out D'Addario Humidipaks.

Boomerang~Junkie Veteran HFCer

Boomerang~Junkie

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Posted

Could you just fabricate some sort of thin envelope type device that goes under and folds over the strings?  It could have some sort of fabric in it that protects your strings etc.?

FYI, if you patent it, I get 2% of the gross! ;)

Caddie Veteran HFCer

Caddie

Posted
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On April 20, 2016 at 0:08 PM, geoff_hartwell said:

Body bags, and zippers, aren't airtight. Close but no cigar. If you can find me a serious solution, I'd be glad to hear it.

And the "why" is for humidity. I have a lot of guitars and if I leave any of them in the case for a year or so before I get around to playing it, the strings are shitty, frets are tarnished, etc.

Any serious leads?

Put a ham & cheese sandwich in the case compartment whenever you put the guitar back into its case.  Its kinda like the canary in the coal mine.  If you start to smell a rotting ham & cheese sandwich before you open the case STOP!  Put a couple of dabs of Vicks Vap-o-Rub below your nostrils before you go any farther...

A year or so without any playtime?  And you expect the strings to be fine and the frets clean?  Um Geoff, with all due respect, me thinks you have too many guitars. I suggest you adjust your expectations with respect to oxidation.  You gotta take them out and play 'em mate!  If you can't do that then sell the ones that don't get played every couple months.

OR

Ship your gear to me for storage!  Space available. Call 867-5309.  I'll take gooooood care of it.  Cheers!

caddie

Armitage Veteran HFCer

Armitage

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On 4/20/2016 at 2:06 PM, murkat said:

not a good idea.

de gas in a air tight bag, not a good idea

A lot of people don't know about degassing... 

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