Detuning for storage

#22
As stated already, there is no good case for de-tuning to store. I would add that the OP has a Ric and I would not intentionally de-stabilize the neck mechanics of a Ric by de-tuning for long term storage. They are a challenge to get right in the first place. IMO de-tuning is akin to playing with fire.
 
#23
I had a small pool in the back of my last house, and I was told to never empty it during the winter because the soil surrounding the pool would push in on the walls of the pool, and the lack of water to counter the pressure would lead to cracks in the walls.
 
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#24
micguy said:
If it were going to be half a year or more, I might de-tune AND take the tension off the truss rod, but generally no - I'd leave it strung up and at pitch. The one time I had basses with tension on them and didn't play them for years was when I had wrist issues. The basses were metal necked Kramers - those don't need tension relief, given how stiff and strong the necks are.
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Why? Still makes no sense.

I have basses that I've played for years and years. There is no difference in playing or not.

You're coming up with a solution for a problem that doesn't exist.
 
#25
I have an acoustic guitar that was stored in its case, tuned, in a clothes closet for perhaps something on the order of 30 years. When I finally dug it out of the closet it was just fine and still pretty close to being in tune.
 
#26
All of my guitars have been fully tuned for up to 40 years (for a couple of them) and have not shown any issues at all. (yes, I HAVE changed the strings more than once in that time :D) Some hadn't been touched for about 10 years ('nother story) and still retained tune and playability. As has been said, once set up, the tension of the strings is counteracted by the tension of the truss rod.
 
#28
As Sherriff Buford T. Justus said, '. . . . . you can think about it, but don't do it ! ' It's a standoff of the string tension vs. the neck and the truss rod. You want to maintain that balance, regardless of if it is or isn't being played. This is one of those 'well, my brother-in-law said . . . . ' things that's just . . . . wrong.
 
#29
Mo Boogs said:
I’ve got a Ric 4003S that I don’t plan on playing often for a little bit. A luthier buddy of mine says you don’t need to tune down stringed instruments when storing and not playing them for a while. Is that right? Seems to me like maybe I should tune it down. It’s been since February last year since it was really in use and the action still feels fine but I’m thinking about tuning it down to no tension for while since I don’t plan on using it anytime soon. Any ideas?
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it sounds like a good idea ... but it isn't ... don't tune more than e flat unless you change the truss rods as well
 
#30
Leave it tuned just as it is for daily playing and there will never be a problem with storage, no matter how long (assuming relatively consistent humidity conditions).

It’s all about ying and yang. Balanced tension.
 
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#31
No reason whatsoever to ever detune a modern instrument with a truss rod for storage or transport. There might be a case for a slight detune if transporting an instrument without a truss rod in an airplane cargo hold, but that is above my pay grade. As far as I know, the baggage hold is kept above 7°C at the very least while some zones (where they put pets etc) are warmer.

EDIT: Would also like to add that I regularly transport my basses at winter when outside temperatures can reach -30°C or lower, so we're talking about a sudden temperature delta of over 50°C (room temperature is typically 18°C-25°C). Never an issue. I'm more nervous when transporting synthesizers or other electronics, and generally let them sit in their cases for a while if there's time.
 
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#34
I’ve shipped a bass across the country in the winter. I detuned it evenly (1/2 step) because things tighten up in the cold.

For storage, you’re probably doing more harm than good by retuning.
 
#35
This is one of those things here that has folks really divided. Some have really strong opinions about it.

I always tune my basses down for storage. I do it and it works better than when I don't. I have a lot of basses (almost 200), which means I can go a long time without playing any given one. Without routine tweaks, it is easy to return to a very bowed neck due to the constant pull of the strings aided by the occaisional seasonal change in the wood. I take the tension out and all is good.

Also if you own a graphite neck bass without a truss rod, for heaven's sake PLEASE ALWAYS DETUNE WHEN STORING.

YMMV. Mine doesn't.


RBM
 
#36
Mo Boogs said:
I’ve got a Ric 4003S that I don’t plan on playing often for a little bit. A luthier buddy of mine says you don’t need to tune down stringed instruments when storing and not playing them for a while. Is that right? Seems to me like maybe I should tune it down. It’s been since February last year since it was really in use and the action still feels fine but I’m thinking about tuning it down to no tension for while since I don’t plan on using it anytime soon. Any ideas?
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A quality instrument like that, you really shouldn't need to I.M.E. :thumbsup:
 
#39
Mo Boogs said:
I’ve got a Ric 4003S that I don’t plan on playing often for a little bit. A luthier buddy of mine says you don’t need to tune down stringed instruments when storing and not playing them for a while. Is that right? Seems to me like maybe I should tune it down. It’s been since February last year since it was really in use and the action still feels fine but I’m thinking about tuning it down to no tension for while since I don’t plan on using it anytime soon. Any ideas?
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I find that mine naturally detune after a while in storage.:D
 
#40
I think the reason I was so stuck up on de-tuning initially was growing up my ma had two 60s Japanese Kent acoustics. Those did not have trust rods. One might have had a steel reinforced neck but both of em bowed like archery bows over time tuned up. Makes sense when you got a truss system it’s more like a balance.
 
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