Respectful dissent on casing the axe

[Jersey tuning]

I'm at ~42-43 right now, so the guitar stays out during the day, but is cased with humidipaks overnight.  I also like the guitar getting a sun tan

Lucky.  After a dalliance with 34%, we're back down to 25%

[SDTaylorman]

It's all about playing, and if you prefer to keep the guitars out, for easy pick-up-and-play, then that's what you need to do. It's definitely a personal choice. Casing them isn't better, leaving them out isn't better.

For me, I've always been a keep-them-in-the-case person. All my life. Between guitars, dulcimers, and other instruments, I have 15 instruments that are cased, 1 guitar that stays out on a String Swing (hpl). Humidity and safety are my two biggest considerations. Plus, I'm so used to taking them out and putting them back, that few seconds doesn't bother me, never has.

Confusing post as your first comment "one isn't better than another" is directly refuted by your admitted (and valid) concerns regarding humidity and damage that keep yours cased. Cased IS clearly better then and, as you said, it's only a few seconds to open and take out the protected guitar. Furthermore, for the "see 'em means I play 'em" crowd....do your cases make them invisible? I mean that big black/brown/tweed thing isn't just for show and isn't exactly an UNobtrusive reminder.

[Violeiro]

Everybody will go through different stages and levels of care for their instruments - storage, maintenance, etc...what is good for you today may not be tomorrow and it will change again eventually... There is always something new to learn.

[DennisG]

I thought of this thread yesterday as I was playing a friend's Takamine that had a large crack running down the center of the guitar's top.

[gscratchutay]

One vote (several, actually) for leaving them out on stands: not only three Taylors, but also two mountain dulcimers, a Ubass, a ukulele, a banjo, a bowed psaltery and a hammered dulcimer, all within arm's reach, at all times, in a humidity-correct room in central Illinois

[TaylorGirl]

It's all about playing, and if you prefer to keep the guitars out, for easy pick-up-and-play, then that's what you need to do. It's definitely a personal choice. Casing them isn't better, leaving them out isn't better.

For me, I've always been a keep-them-in-the-case person. All my life. Between guitars, dulcimers, and other instruments, I have 15 instruments that are cased, 1 guitar that stays out on a String Swing (hpl). Humidity and safety are my two biggest considerations. Plus, I'm so used to taking them out and putting them back, that few seconds doesn't bother me, never has.

Confusing post as your first comment "one isn't better than another" is directly refuted by your admitted (and valid) concerns regarding humidity and damage that keep yours cased. Cased IS clearly better then and, as you said, it's only a few seconds to open and take out the protected guitar. Furthermore, for the "see 'em means I play 'em" crowd....do your cases make them invisible? I mean that big black/brown/tweed thing isn't just for show and isn't exactly an UNobtrusive reminder.

Not confusing, IMO. FOR ME, casing has always been my choice, for several reasons. That doesn't mean that is the best choice for someone else. I will always accept this discussion as a personal choice. What others do is their choice, not mine to past judgement. And in the same light, what I do is my choice and no one else's to criticize. Therefore, "casing them isn't better, leaving them out isn't better" for the guitar playing public.

[SDTaylorman]

One vote (several, actually) for leaving them out on stands: not only three Taylors, but also two mountain dulcimers, a Ubass, a ukulele, a banjo, a bowed psaltery and a hammered dulcimer, all within arm's reach, at all times, in a humidity-correct room in central Illinois

That changes the equation significantly.

Not confusing, IMO. FOR ME, casing has always been my choice, for several reasons. That doesn't mean that is the best choice for someone else. I will always accept this discussion as a personal choice. What others do is their choice, not mine to past judgement. And in the same light, what I do is my choice and no one else's to criticize. Therefore, "casing them isn't better, leaving them out isn't better" for the guitar playing public.

I get it. A personal choice. True, it may not the best choice for someone but it likely IS for their guitar (for all the reasons I...and you...have already stated). Not a "judgement" if it is based on facts. LoL.

[donlyn]

I agree with Susie that's it's really a personal choice, and that even then, any choice is not fixed in stone. My choice is for cased, all the time. Biggest issue, especially during northern winter months, is humidity control. However my next biggest issue is that things left out can be more easily damaged in so many more ways. So I have developed a bit of OCD in casing my guitars. It's what I feel most comfortable with.

Don

[StrummingMadMan]

Whenever there is a discussion like this, it always reminds me how my dad would keep his D-18 on a stand next to the fireplace. That guitar is 50 years old now and perfectly fine. I dont share this story to agree or disagree with any opinion. It's just something I find funny. That being said, my guitars all stay in their case in a humidity controled room now. In the past I have left them on stands and had no issues. We all take care of our guitars in whatever we see fit.

[Marco Polo]

Finally...past couple days has been 'suntan' time (with no case time) 

Both do get played more when they are 'available' instantaneously 

[SDTaylorman]

Beautiful guitars but, respectfully, "instantaneously" isn't really impacted by the 8 seconds or so it takes to get the guitar out of it's far safer resting place.

[Earl]

Clearly this is a polarizing issue for many.  You won't be able convince me to do things differently, and I can't convince you that my personal choice is fine - for me.  Perhaps this dialog has now run its course.....

[Marco Polo]

Perhaps this dialog has now run its course.....

Agreed Earl...over and out!

Wishing a great musical day to all!

[zeebow]

in summary:
store your guitars if you'd like or leave them out if you'd like, and worry about humidity levels.

taylor's website has info on how to check for a wet or dry guitar.