Guitar Resting Position

Question

I am not using my guitar for sometime. It is very new semi acoustic guitar and i want to keep it to rest for sometime. So, for the last two months I am keeping it flat on the ground with strings facing up.

I am wondering if this is a good position to keep the guitar. I am also worried about the neck possible bending, so loosened the strings as well for the time being.

I cannot hang it to the wall nor I have a stand to keep it against a wall. I am not sure if it will stay that way if I lean it against the wall without any stand, as my floor is little slippery. My best option is to keep it flat. Will this be a problem to the neck? Will it bend it to some angle?

I would like to know if there is anything that I can do to safe keep it.

Answer 1

Several factors come in here.The strings can stay tight, in tune. The neck will be used to that.On the floor is not good, as it may get trodden on, something dropped on it, scratched , etc.The room it is kept in should not have any great temperature or humidity changes. If it's got the sun shining hard on it for several hours a day, it may fade, and will certainly get too hot. Gentle heating and cooling are o.k.If it has to stay on the floor, at least leave it in its case.You are right not to leave it leaning up against a wall, or furniture, etc.

Hanging up is probably the best option. A picture hook on the wall, with a piece of string or soft wire around its head will do. But certainly not over a radiator! Or, you could hang it in a wardrobe, along with clothes, upright, maybe one of the best options - its safe out of harm's way, and won't get dusty either.

Most people would agree that actually your guitar should be played, daily, as that's how we get the best out of it !! Even 5 mins is better than just leaving it languishing. Guitars need to be loved...

Answer 2

I would add to what Tim said in his solid answer, I would add that you should definitely try to control the humidity if you live in a place with a dry or winter season. A drop in humidity can cause the guitar to crack. For this reason, my preference is actually to use a hard-shell case (soft-shell works too, but not as good at sealing moisture). For my main guitar, I'll often lay the hard-shell case down on a short platform, such as a coffee table, and when I'm done with the guitar, I put it back in and shut the lid. The case has a small humidifier in it. I don't necessarily "latch" the case most of the time, being too lazy. I just put the guitar in and let the lid fall shut.