Do you leave your archtop in or out of its case?

[GNAPPI]

I have a 1963 Maton Supreme 777 that stays in its case because if I remember correctly, less than 500 were made. It needs some repair and I dare not cause further damage.

The ideal would be a stand in which you could place multiple hardcases.... there's a million dollar idea.

Actually, they're already out there. I use "ON STAGE" type multiple guitar stands. One I have will hold something like 6 guitars without cases, just unscrew the guitar neck separations and it holds 5. All of my cased guitars are in these stands.

Patrick, I have ADT. Great folks there! It's the Police that are less than useful. If they come, they get out of the car, look on the side of the house and go away. A Dog and audible alarm are actually better... then there's those shotgun traps and alligators :-)

[ah.clem]

I keep the 6 I regularly play (4 arch tops, 1flat, 1 solid) on stands in the studio as well as my double bass and I've not had any problems. I have my classical and my electric and ABG basses in cases as I don't play them that often and one bass goes to rehearsal every week so it stays cased up and ready to load into the car. My couch guitar just leans on the end table.

Edit: ADT and an insurance rider.

[iim7V7IM7]

A couple thoughts...

I keep my guitars in general out on floor and wall stands out of their cases for a number of reasons:

1) Guitars that are in sight tend to get played and out of site in their cases do not
2) I control the % RH in my guitar room and want them exposed
3) Case rims and latches can damage a guitar, taking it out and replacing it; particularly in tighter fitting cases

[Para]

I currently have 5 on hangers 1 on a stand and 1 old custom strat in a case.

[mwcarr]

Always either in the case or in my hands. The only exception is if I'm gigging then it's usually on a stand. Years ago I had a very sweet Gurian SR3 knocked off a stand that had the headstock broken in the fall. It was an innocent and unfortunate accident but it set me on the practice I stated in the first sentence. Keeping my guitars in the cases doesn't slow down my playing them, it's a brief chore getting them out that, at this point in my life passes unnoticed. I also play the violin and have noticed that fiddle players develop an almost ritual-like routine of getting the violin and bow out of the cases. Of course a fiddle is a much more fragile instrument so leaving one out of the case is kind of asking for trouble. I always stress with students: in the case or in your hands. They will develop their own preferences down the road, but in the beginning I think its a good idea.

[MarkRhodes]

ALWAYS IN THE CASE. "Case it or replace it!"

I had never heard "case it or replace it." I'll never forget it now! Great saying.

[Klatu]

Always out. My guitars are too beautiful to look at and too tempting to play to be locked away in protective cocoons.

[mr. beaumont]

I always have a few guitars out and about the house...i never know when I'll have an idea, or when I'll have some time to play. Plus I like to play for my boys...my 3 year old has developed an obsession with Hank Williams' "Lovesick Blues."

[drbhrb]

Case. They're better protected and ready to walk out the door to a gig

[barrymclark]

Always in the case if I'm not playing it. Just worry too much when it sits out. Like nick1994, I rotate then and keep one in a case by my bed that I play on for a bit before rotation.

[Flyin' Brian]

I've always wondered if I've lived a charmed life. I got my first guitar in 1957. With all of the guitars I've owned since then, I have never been strict about keeping them in cases, never had a humidity controlled room, never put a humidifier in a guitar or in a case, and have never, ever had any problems with any of them. As a matter of fact every time I hand my guitar to somebody to play it......something else I do without reservation......I always get positive comments on their playability. I've traveled on airplanes with guitars in hard cases and with guitars, including archtops, in gig bags.

Perhaps the guitar gods are just laying in waiting to strike me down.

[peterbright]

Every guitar is out where I can play it.

[Liarspoker]

1 word: Kids.

[Klatu]

1 word: Kids.

I've got one on the way in February. I'll post an NGD, but it will stand for "New Girl Day". I plan to keep her out of her case most of the time.

[SierraTango]

Two words: Bull Terrier.

[mr. beaumont]

I've got one on the way in February. I'll post an NGD, but it will stand for "New Girl Day". I plan to keep her out of her case most of the time.

Congrats brother!

My best to you and the Mrs.

[barrymclark]

I've got one on the way in February. I'll post an NGD, but it will stand for "New Girl Day". I plan to keep her out of her case most of the time.

Seriously awesome. I have two girls and a boy. Lots of fun.

[oldane]

I have the few guitars I play at a given moment out on a 5-guitar stand. The rest are in their cases. But then, no kids and no dogs in the house. That may change and I may keep them in the cases when we will have grandchildren (hopefully in the not so far future).

[ESCC]

I prefer leaving most out on stands. However, this time of year, radiator heat on, extremely low humidity, I keep most in cases with case humidifiers, my tele and laminated flattop are on stands.

This one prefers I keep my arctops on stands

[Broyale]

Another benefit of keeping your guitar in its case: That sweet lacquer smell when you open the case, never gets old.