Proper storage, long and short term

[afrobeat_fool]

My question is one I hope has not been discussed before. Basically, if you, like me have more basses and guitars than one person can play, or your on the road a lot, or your just thinking of putting the axe down for a while(heaven forbid), how should one store the instrument. I would like to know your opinions for long and short term storage? Example: do you take your strings off, or just loosen them? Batteries in or out of active instruments?... etc. Is there some things you might do differently for solid body or acoustic? Thru neck or bolt on? You get the drift. Thank you
 
 
Nick

[terryc]

Put it in the case and underneath your bed..the temperature won't fluctuate that much unless you live in extremes of climate.
Difficult if you have loads of guitars and basses though
I agree on batteries, take them out, even the best leak, leave strings on, if you loosen them the wood will want to re stabilise.
You could put a couple of packs of silica gel dessicant to absorb any moisture

[tbrannon]

Nick-
 
If I'm heading away for a bit I normally put them in their cases and then stack them standing up in a closet that is on an interior wall of the house.  The closet temperature stays pretty consistent and the cases stack up pretty neatly.  
 
I've never been away long enough to worry about removing batteries, but if I was going to be gone for months, I might consider doing that...

[mario_farufyno]

Storage them in a case, preferably standing up to let the forces acting at the neck at minimun. Don't take off the strings since we need them to conteract the force aplied in the neck by truss rod. In fact, remember to check the neck bow and action periodicaly.
 
Battery must be always out if it will be grounded for months since they can leak and ruin the circuit or finishing (it is also toxic).

[jazzyvee]

Not strictly a bass storage issue but similarities are there.
 
I'd like some guidance on neck movement so please have a read and maybe you can advise me.
 
I have been asked to stand in on bass for a Caribbean cruise as part of one of the calypso bands on a ship over Christmas/New year and playing between 2 to 2.5 hrs per day.
 
Apart from myself on bass the rest of the band play Steel Pans along with a drum machine. At the moment I'm waiting for confirmation so this may be a red herring but worth a shot anyway.
 
http://www.pocruises.com/Ships/Arcadia/Overview.axd
http://www.pocruises.com/Cruises/J922/Itinerary.axd
 
I plan to take either my Elan 4 or Europa 5 depending on the set-list when I get it and also based on the advice given here.
 
I have read on previous threads that climate will/may affect the neck especially on neck through instruments.
 
Is this neck movement likely to be more of a reality as I will be at sea all the time and travelling through differing climates and humidities from leaving cold UK at mid winter, heading over the equator to the hot caribbean and returning still in mid UK winter.  
 
Also, according to the other band members who do this sort of thing all the time, the ship is very well air conditioned and many of the  times we will be playing will be on-deck by the pool on the hot days so more extreme temperature variations between my cabin and the outside heat of the day.
 
Should i be concerned?
Is the effect of neck movement likely to be more evident on a 4 or 5 string bass?
 
As usual, your advice is appreciated.
Should I buy a beater bass? hahaha
Jazzyvee

[oujeebass]

I hate to say it, I wouldn't take an Alembic. I would take something that you won't have to worry about ,if possible. The variations in climate will vary greatly enough to probably drive you nuts, and the other variables.

[jos]

I would not take the Alembics for that gig. Alembic basses have ebony fingerboards and they are sensitive to climate changes. If you still do take the Alembic then I would take the Europe because it has stronger neck construction. Please oil the fret board before you leave England it definitely helps, also be sure that you have all the tools with you.    
I have a Fodera from 1991 with Ebony fingerboard and honestly I have never touched the truss road! This is true…the Alembics I have are pretty good too I do not need to adjust the necks that much. But I had basses with Ebony fret board that has been a pain in the ass when touring. I love the sound of Ebony sometimes the risk is worth to take. In a few years of touring you will find out if the Ebony on the fret board you have is a good piece or not. The reason companies use more Rosewood and Maple is that it’s cheaper, easier and safe to use. The companies do not get so many complains and warranty issues.    
I strongly believe that Alembic is using the best Ebony there is so this could also be a test for your bass and what it can take.
 
 
J-O-S

[eligilam]

Jazzyvee,
 
Track down a Steinberger XL2 (the original graphite composite one).  Those things are weatherproof.  One neat review I read said after the apocalypse, all that will be left crawling around are the roaches and the XL2's.  There's usually at least one on ebay at any given time.
 
Heck, the Steiny even fits with that Caribbean vibe, since for some reason all the reggae bassists seem to like them.
 
I agree with the other posters...I'd leave my Alembic at home for the gig you're talking about.
 
 
Just my two cents.  200th post complete.

[mario_farufyno]

I wouldn't take my Alembic to a Gig like that, but if you'll really do it, make the proper truss rod adjustments to the hot and sweatie climate you'll have use it most (playing) and keep it on the case until the show. Any Bass can be fine in any weather, you just have to compensate any neck bow changes. I bet a good Bass like Alembic can handle the new condition.
 
The problem is the Bass getting out of dry air conditioned enviroment to the caribean umidity  and then being brought back indoor several times in a row. This is what can ruin your Bass. If you avoid abrupt umidity changes keeping it safe in the Case, it will be less affected by these variations. Anyway...
 
This must work, but remember it can be a problem if you need to rehearsal or learn a new song in your room. As far as I know, you'll have to be a lot in your room (since employees usually are not alowed to be freely among the clients) and it may be hard to be confined and having to not get the Bass off the case.
 
Also, despite we all know players who live by the sea, don't forget that salty air isn't the best thing to eletronics either. This is why I wouldnt take so valueable Bass to a Gig like that...

[sonicus]

Perhaps Silica Gel Dehumidifier packets would be helpful.
 Check this out   http://americanfiltration.com  
 
look for STA-DRI dehumidifier  pouches. I am sure that you can find an identical product in the  UK !    Put plenty of these in your Bass case.

[afrobeat_fool]

Sonicus, you beat me to the point. I do this when I go back and forth between So. Cal and Portland, during the winter. I will most often take a fender as I would hate to lose an Alembic, and they are a F#$@n lot easier to replace.  
 
 And how much nicer will it be to come home to your beauty when the gig is done, then say hi to... whoever.

[sonicus]

LOL___  hey afrobeat fool how are ya? Yeah  those little gel packs are really handy .

[Enzo]

Jazzyvee,
if you have to choose another bass to bring with you, that doesn't give you any problem with the neck adjustment I would consider a Status-Graphite bass, they're fantastic instruments and they're very reliable.

[jos]

I have quite many experiences of Graphite basses and I need to tell you that the necks also move! They are not as stabile as advertised. I did work at Bass Center in Helsinki during the ? 80\s and mid -90\s and I was surprised how much problems Graphite necks did have. Musicians that worked on the boats did tell me the neck was not like this a few years ago?and they were right! The only Graphite bass I know that did not have neck problems was the old Steinberger XL-2 they did also change around -91 or something.  
I did see terrible necks on basses like Status, Vigier, Modulus, Steinberger, Zon and some other Graphite basses. The only guy that admit the problem of Graphite was Jeff from Modulus?he told me that he has never told anyone that Graphite lasts forever this was more like a business idea and how to sell the product. Usually warranty is for a few years and after that nobody cares!! Yes, this is how things are??. When a Graphite neck goes wrong, then that?s it!!!!
 
J-O-S

[jazzyvee]

Hi guys, all this stuff sounds kind of scary. I only have alembic basses so I don't really have an option of taking a different bass. If I did It would have to be a very cheap one so that I don't blow my earnings and that in itself may prove a false economy since I would imagine I'd have more problems with a cheap bass especially trying to make truss rod adjustments.
 
Ok, from what i've read here, in the absence of another bass, take the Europa as the neck is stronger, get some silica gel crystals,oil the neck just before leaving and make sure the bass is in the case all the time it is not being played at the gig.
 
Thanks guys, I will certainly have some information on how my alembic coped with that environment when I get back. Should be interesting.
Jazzyvee