Wooden guitars are a unique musical instrument that make a very distinctive sound when played. However, when put into storage for an extended period of time, the wooden construction that provides them with such a unique sound opens the door for a number of problems which can damage or destroy the guitar. Understanding how to properly store a guitar can ensure that your instrument continues to sound as beautiful after a long period of disuse.

Get a Case

The most important thing that you can do when putting your guitar into storage is to put it in a case. While there is a certain aesthetic appeal in just leaving your guitar on a stand in the corner, the whole point of putting your guitar into storage is to not use it for a while, so who cares what it looks like? Instead, find a case that is relatively airtight and hard as this will protect your guitar from moisture and humidity damage which can cause the wood to warp, altering the sound of the guitar, while also protecting it from physical damage in the event something falls over.

Loosen the Strings

Besides actual things to change within the storage unit, you can prepare your guitar for an extended period of not being played by loosening the tension on the strings. This will reduce the amount of strain on the neck of the guitar. However, take care to not completely remove the strings from the guitar: If they aren't constantly under at least a little bit of tension, they can lose their elasticity and will need to be replaced when you want to play your guitar again, which is a pain and added expense.

Climate Control

When examining self-storage units to put your guitar in, prioritize units that offer you climate control. This allows you to maintain a moderate level of humidity and temperature, preventing mold and mildew growth from taking hold on any of your possessions and damaging the wood of your guitar. If you can't find a unit that offers climate control, you can also plug in a dehumidifier in your unit to turn on periodically and draw water out of the air (but keep in mind that dehumidifiers need to be emptied periodically) or place moisture absorbent packets, like silica, in your guitar case to reduce the overall amount of humidity that your wooden guitar is exposed to.

Contact storage facilities to learn more about unit options that could best suit your needs. After all, you likely don't want to rent an entire storage unit for a single item, so keep ind mind what else you plan to store when picking out a self-storage unit.