Jono Bolton Posted November 7, 2019 Share Posted November 7, 2019 Is it safe enough to store my guitar and bass in the loft while I'm away for a few days? I'm probably over-thinking it but it can get very warm up there, although I've not been up in a few months so I don't know what it's like up there just now. There have been a few attempted break ins in our area recently so I want to put them somewhere out of the way. I'll maybe stick my head up there too but I'll leave the cab because if anyone's daft enough to try and steal it then more power to them. I need to go up there to get suitcases out so I thought I could chuck them up there while I'm at it. I have a gig bag for my bass but nothing for the Tele; should they be fine sitting up there for a few nights? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burns-bass Posted November 7, 2019 Share Posted November 7, 2019 I'm sure someone will be along to explain how the variation in temperature can cause your neck to warp and the pickups to turn into cheese, but a few days should be fine (as long as it's not a double bass!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pineweasel Posted November 7, 2019 Share Posted November 7, 2019 I’ve kept guitars in my loft for years with no ill effects. They’ll be fine as long as it’s not damp up there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RossHetherington Posted November 7, 2019 Share Posted November 7, 2019 My basses lived up the loft for about 10 years through extreme heat and cold. The neck didn't move and the pickups were fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casapete Posted November 7, 2019 Share Posted November 7, 2019 Just for balance - my 63 Precision spent a few years in a loft before I rescued it. It was in a (crappy to be fair) hard case. The frets had turned green, fingerboard heading that way and the old refinish was cracked and lifting off into scrolls, like when you strip wallpaper. To be fair the neck was fairly stable though! I think as others have said it depends on how long and the condition of the loft in question. Lofts tend to be prone to extremes of temperature, boiling in summer / freezing in the winter months, and sometime both within 24 hrs, so I would imagine it's these changes of temperature and humidity that do the damage. You'll probably be okay for a short spell at this time of year I would imagine, but I wouldn't recommend it as a longer term thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted November 7, 2019 Share Posted November 7, 2019 My loft is insulated to 400mm and there is ventilation on all sides. It gets very hot in the summer and very cold in the winter. I wouldn't store my basses in that environment. If you really think burglary is a possibility, can you leave the basses with a neighbour? But then your neighbour could be burgled. Where does it end? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barking Spiders Posted November 7, 2019 Share Posted November 7, 2019 1 hour ago, Jono Bolton said: Is it safe enough to store my guitar and bass in the loft while I'm away for a few days? I'm probably over-thinking it but it can get very warm up there, although I've not been up in a few months so I don't know what it's like up there just now. There have been a few attempted break ins in our area recently so I want to put them somewhere out of the way. I'll maybe stick my head up there too but I'll leave the cab because if anyone's daft enough to try and steal it then more power to them. I need to go up there to get suitcases out so I thought I could chuck them up there while I'm at it. I have a gig bag for my bass but nothing for the Tele; should they be fine sitting up there for a few nights? TBH from my experience burglars are unlikely to be connoisseurs of electric bass brands or any other instrument . A while ago we were burgled twice within two years and weirdly neat and tidy the perps were too! I had an American Telecaster and a Martin Dreadnought on stands and they weren't touched. They did take 2 laptops, the flat screen TV, my car keys, my wallet, my wife's purse, some of her jewellery and a Nikon camera. Together those guitars were more valuable than the haul they took 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrevorR Posted November 7, 2019 Share Posted November 7, 2019 To be honest I've be reluctant to store an instrument in the loft. In your situation I'd probably just stick them at the back of a wardrobe with shirts and coats hanging in front of them. Burglars are, by nature, opportunist and in and out quickly. They'll go for visible, portable, easily sellable stuff like consumer electricals, jewellery etc. They're not going to be looking around in clothing wardrobes or the cupboard under the stairs etc where you'd not usually find the easy, high value stuff. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Dare Posted November 7, 2019 Share Posted November 7, 2019 A few days shouldn't hurt, unless it's damp or subject to extremes of temperature up there. Longer term is different. If you have a slate roof (as I have) which is dark coloured, it absorbs the heat of the sun and gets VERY warm in the loft. I agree with TrevorR's advice above. Do you have a pal who would mind them whilst you're away? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monkey Steve Posted November 7, 2019 Share Posted November 7, 2019 1 hour ago, Barking Spiders said: TBH from my experience burglars are unlikely to be connoisseurs of electric bass brands or any other instrument . A while ago we were burgled twice within two years and weirdly neat and tidy the perps were too! I had an American Telecaster and a Martin Dreadnought on stands and they weren't touched. They did take 2 laptops, the flat screen TV, my car keys, my wallet, my wife's purse, some of her jewellery and a Nikon camera. Together those guitars were more valuable than the haul they took true but... I'm not sure I'd want to trust that the burglars turning over my place were from the same school of light fingered misappropriation. I once had a conversation with someone who was the manager of a pawn shop. He certainly saw enough obviously stolen instruments to indicate that while the thieves might not know the difference between a Gibson and an Encore, they knew that guitars were worth picking up and seeing what they could sell them for My advice to the OP is to get some insurance 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jono Bolton Posted November 7, 2019 Author Share Posted November 7, 2019 Insurance (both home and gear-specific) is already in place. Unfortunately there's not anyone I can get my gear to between now and leaving on Saturday morning. I'd given thought to sticking them in the back of the wardrobe but it's not secure enough for my liking. I'm going to be up in the loft to get suitcases and bags out tomorrow evening so I'll do it first as soon as I'm back from work before the heating gets switched on to see what the temperature's like, and make a decision then. If it's too hot, or more likely cold, I'll try and find somewhere else to store them, but if it seems ok I'll fire them up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burns-bass Posted November 7, 2019 Share Posted November 7, 2019 2 hours ago, Barking Spiders said: TBH from my experience burglars are unlikely to be connoisseurs of electric bass brands or any other instrument . A while ago we were burgled twice within two years and weirdly neat and tidy the perps were too! I had an American Telecaster and a Martin Dreadnought on stands and they weren't touched. They did take 2 laptops, the flat screen TV, my car keys, my wallet, my wife's purse, some of her jewellery and a Nikon camera. Together those guitars were more valuable than the haul they took I had the same thing. Burglars came in and ignored two 70s Jazzes and a 60s one (candy apple red matching headstock), and a few 60s Fender guitars (Coronado and a 12 string acoustic) and instead they took the Xbox and an armful of DVDs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted November 7, 2019 Share Posted November 7, 2019 Wrap the cases in cling film all over and several layers to stop any moisture getting in. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dankology Posted November 7, 2019 Share Posted November 7, 2019 Re burglaries - when a friend of mine was broken into, the robbers left two very nice guitars that he had out on stands but stole the two near-worthless ones he'd left in their cases. Convenience and portability clearly being the priority... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuyR Posted November 7, 2019 Share Posted November 7, 2019 3 hours ago, Dankology said: Re burglaries - when a friend of mine was broken into, the robbers left two very nice guitars that he had out on stands but stole the two near-worthless ones he'd left in their cases. Convenience and portability clearly being the priority... I was thinking the same thing. I'd put the cases in the loft Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted November 7, 2019 Share Posted November 7, 2019 Plenty are sold on EBay in perfect condition that have been in lofts for years......... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skankdelvar Posted November 7, 2019 Share Posted November 7, 2019 At this time of year - not too hot, not too cold - it would probably be safe to tape them up in a couple of sturdy bin bags and bury them in the back garden. If that approach doesn't appeal then it's probably safe to put them up in the loft as long as it's just for a few days. I left my first electric guitar in the attic for 18 years then 12 years in a warehouse then two years in a garage. It was fine. YMMV. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted November 7, 2019 Share Posted November 7, 2019 Just now, skankdelvar said: At this time of year - not too hot, not too cold - it would probably be safe to tape them up in a couple of sturdy bin bags and bury them in the back garden. I think the OP is talking about bass guitars 😂 How about a wardrobe guitar hanger? Instant ‘closet classic’ and pretty hidden away - also if they’re found they aren’t in cases so much harder to nick. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Closet-Guitar-hanger-CGH01-Hanger/dp/B00A3L4L6U Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skankdelvar Posted November 7, 2019 Share Posted November 7, 2019 1 minute ago, ped said: I think the OP is talking about bass guitars So am I, though burying burglars in the back garden is more of a long-term thing. Legal tip: don't forget to bring them with you when you move house. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reggaebass Posted November 7, 2019 Share Posted November 7, 2019 6 minutes ago, ped said: How about a wardrobe guitar hanger? That’s a good idea because a suit hold-all would fit completely over it 🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skinnyman Posted November 7, 2019 Share Posted November 7, 2019 If it's only a few days at this time of year they'll be fine in the loft. Middle of summer might be more of a problem but the risk of overheating in mid-November is probably minimal. And they should also be safe from flood damage 😁 Wrap them in a couple of bin bags to stop the mice/bats/whatever else might be up there from crapping on them and you'll be fine. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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