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

**87jazzy87** · 12-06-2014, 01:56 AM

Just wondering what the average jazz guitarist does. I always leave my guitar out of its case and on a guitar stand in my office. I like to be able to pick it up and play it on a whim. However, I've heard that some guitarists are afraid to leave their guitars out because of temp/humidity changes and (more obviously) because of the danger of it getting knocked over etc.

**docbop** · 12-06-2014, 03:27 AM

I have two areas one my desk and other my music area both have stands and guitars ready to play. The music area guitar doesn't change very often, but the desk area I rotate different guitars now and then.

**nick1994** · 12-06-2014, 03:43 AM

I always leave a guitar on its stand and rotate them every couple of months but I have another stand that holds three guitars at once and I always leave at least one lying on the couch. I don't like leaving guitars in their cases because I know they won't get played, if I leave them lying around I'll pick them up and play them at least. guitars are meant to be played not preserved in my opinion.

**Broyale** · 12-06-2014, 03:57 AM

I leave my guitars in their cases, I keep my main archtop in its case on my bed when I'm not playing her.

**Archtop Guy** · 12-06-2014, 07:36 AM

I keep mine in their cases. Only because I have cats that can't be trusted. I do have cherry hangers that haven't be put on the walls yet. Once they are put up my girls will be aired out all the time. I do worry about airing them out. The cases have glues and the we've all seen what pick guards can do inside cases.

**Max405** · 12-06-2014, 08:48 AM

All mine hang together on the wall. Any other hangers?

**KEOKI** · 12-06-2014, 09:32 AM

Mine stay out, variously strewn about the house. Always one near. My '67 Country Gentleman self destroyed while sitting in the case for an extended time (still plays well and it sits out and about however the binding is gone and the metal parts are ugly). One caveat. If I bring a guitar in from a temp/humidity extreme I let it stabilize in the case.

**GNAPPI** · 12-06-2014, 10:10 AM

Some stay out all the time (I trust my cat not to play or molest them) others I rotate in and out of the cases.

I had a burglary several years ago and they took six guitars that were hanging on the wall, the ones in cases were passed by, presumably they were running out of room in mommie's brand new Volvo! The good news is... they were caught, the bad news? the gits were not recovered :-( But, it wound up that victim compensation was paid by mommy!

Unfortunately an experience like this makes you more cautious about leaving big ticket items out and my "better" guitars while they are played frequently they don't get to stay out and are well protected and secured with a shotgun trap, alarm, an alligator moat, and vicious dogs... I'm kidding about the dogs :-)

**MarkRhodes** · 12-06-2014, 10:24 AM

I live in South Florida, where humidity runs high but still, I leave my guitar out and on a stand when I'm not playing it. Changes in humidity impact the guitar and I have learned to live with that.

**jasaco** · 12-06-2014, 10:40 AM

I usually have just one, sometimes two, out at a time ready to grab and play, and the others are in their cases. Every few weeks I get a notion to play one of the others so I'll take that one out and put one of the others back into its case. And so it goes...

**TheGrandWazoo** · 12-06-2014, 10:41 AM

Always in the case, always (unless between practice breaks). Though it really depends on the wood involved and type of guitar (hollow, etc...) I believe that the case can help promote a positive level of stable humidity for the instrument and keep it from the dangers of exposure to prolonged sunlight, falls, etc...

Of course, I only have two guitars, and play one of them 95% of the time.

**Minte** · 12-06-2014, 10:44 AM

I keep mine out on stands

**skykomishone** · 12-06-2014, 10:59 AM

My guitars stay in their cases when not being used. It protects them from all sorts of potential problems and gives me a measure of comfort knowing they're put away safe and securely.

**Archie** · 12-06-2014, 11:04 AM

I keep them in cases because that way they don't get damaged but I make sure to open the cases once every few days.

**Jabberwocky** · 12-06-2014, 12:24 PM

In the case because I like opening the lid and seeing a guitar that has stayed hidden for some time. It is like getting reacquainted with an old dear friend whom one had not met for a while.

**Archie** · 12-06-2014, 12:41 PM

Originally Posted by Jabberwocky

In the case because I like opening the lid and seeing a guitar that has stayed hidden for some time. It is like getting reacquainted with an old dear friend whom one had not met for a while.

Yeh that too.

Actually that reminds me, i'v got some guitars to re-wrap for Xmas. Cant wait to open them again this year

**Flyin' Brian** · 12-06-2014, 12:48 PM

I have 4. Two haven't been out of their cases in a year.Of the other 2, my archtop hangs on the wall and my semi hollow, which gets 98% of my playing is out when I'm home and in its case when in transit.

**vintagelove** · 12-06-2014, 12:54 PM

The easier they are to get to, the more likely you will be to pick them up!!!

**fumblefingers** · 12-06-2014, 12:56 PM

Always in. I have a hygrometer in my music room and that indicates when I can leave it out for longer periods.

one must be responsive to wide band hyrgo-thermal variations, dontcha know.

**powerwagonjohn** · 12-06-2014, 01:36 PM

Mine stay in there cases but every morning I pull out the "one" for the day. It's like the old show "Queen for a day" I live in MN and supplement my heat with tone woods, swamp ash and maple this year, so I have a humidifier in each case. I have to check the humidifiers so I have to open each case at least once a month. I will leave some on the stand overnight but it depends if they are new or in excellent condition. Heating with wood can be a dry, dusty affair but there's nothing better than sitting by the fire playing an old archtop! Except, possibly for sitting on the porch on a sunny WARM day!
Thanks John

**Jabberwocky** · 12-06-2014, 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by vintagelove

The easier they are to get to, the more likely you will be to pick them up!!!

The easier for someone to walk in and then walk out with it or them. I also can't stand visitors taking my guitar off the hanger or stand and wanging Stairway on it behind my back. WHO PUT THAT DANG DING ON THE BACK OF MY GUITAR?

So, to keep out prying eyes, itchy fingers and belt buckles they stay in their cases.

**mr quick** · 12-06-2014, 03:51 PM

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.

**Patrick2** · 12-06-2014, 04:35 PM

Originally Posted by GNAPPI

Some stay out all the time (I trust my cat not to play or molest them) others I rotate in and out of the cases.

I had a burglary several years ago and they took six guitars that were hanging on the wall, the ones in cases were passed by, presumably they were running out of room in mommie's brand new Volvo! The good news is... they were caught, the bad news? the gits were not recovered :-( But, it wound up that victim compensation was paid by mommy!

Unfortunately an experience like this makes you more cautious about leaving big ticket items out and my "better" guitars while they are played frequently they don't get to stay out and are well protected and secured with a shotgun trap, alarm, an alligator moat, and vicious dogs... I'm kidding about the dogs :-)

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**jazz.fred** · 12-06-2014, 07:11 PM

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

**teleman3726** · 12-06-2014, 09:01 PM

Some are in cases, others on stands, others lying on the floor, against the sofa, sitting on chairs. My four year old like to stand on my tele on the floor.