Here's a new one

[FRANCES HELMS]

When they are shipped or stored for long periods with strings tightened it can break the neck off from the guitar body.  They refer to a year, but with inexpensive or CHEAP guitars, it can be much less time -esp. with extreme temperature variation.

I am copying a portion of information I found on the internet (from the EVERETT company):

"Shipping and storage. I hate shipping guitars. BUY INSURANCE. Loosen the strings, pack the peghead area of the case with crumpled newspaper, remove the trussrod wrench and case key from the case pocket, box the guitar with at least an inch of packing around the case (especially on the top and bottom), mark the box with an 'up' arrow pointing towards the guitar's peghead, cover the box with fragile stickers, send it next day or second day air, and do not ship a guitar in the dead of winter or the heat of summer.
Good luck.

Storage is simple. Leave it under string tension or, if it will be stored for a year or more, you can loosen the strings a whole step.  Secure the peghead in the case with crumpled newspaper (this helps secure the peghead from taking a jolt if the case takes a blow or falls over), then find a safe place to park the case away from extremes in heat, cold or humidity. No attics or basements. An interior house closet is good. 

Flying. Never ever send a guitar through with the luggage. Good bye guitar. Most airlines will let you carry the instrument on. Call before you get to the airport. Often you will get a verbal approval over the phone. Make sure to get your representative's name so that you will have a little ammo at the gate. The next best alternative is to carry the guitar to the gate and "gate check" it. That avoids the treacherous conveyor belts and rough handling of luggage. You will also pick the guitar up at the other end at the gate of arrival.
Make sure that they put it in a pressurized luggage compartment with Fifi. You can actually look through the window and watch them load your guitar. In preparing your guitar for flight follow the same instructions as for long term storage. Make sure your name and address are in the case.
If you own an Everett Guitar you can be assured that your guitar was built slowly and carefully in a very controlled environment.  Through the entire building process, the construction is checked and double checked to ensure the materials and construction are up to the Everett standards. If at any time during the process a part looks questionable or a problem arises, the instrument is pulled from construction and the part is replaced. (The guitar continues with its development in the next cycle of instruments.) Each Everett
remains in my shop for an entire month after the last coat of finish is sprayed and no less than ten days under string tension before I complete the fret work, final buff and final setup. If a problem exists the instrument is not shipped. I feel it's important to add this
extra time into my building process in order to build the quality of guitar that can be enjoyed! 

I hope this is of help and that you enjoy a lifetime with your guitar in top playing condition. "






>>> "Alan Barnard" <tune4u@earthlink.net> 10/24/2005 3:57 PM >>>
You may be right but I've been playing guitar for 42 years and I never
heard that one. What's the reasoning behind it?

Alan Barnard
Salem, Missouri


> [Original Message]
> From: FRANCES HELMS <fhelms@topeka.k12.ks.us>
> To: <pianotech@ptg.org>; <nicho@zianet.com>
> Date: 10/24/2005 3:43:55 PM
> Subject: Re: Here's a new one
>
> In a feeble attempt to shed a little (very little) light on the studidity
of the situation of the loosening of the strings...GUITAR strings should be
loosened before storing for a long time, or before moving any profound
distance.  Perhaps the former coal miner was also a former guitar (geetar?)
player.
>
> Fran Helms,
> Piano technician,
> Topeka, KS.
>
> >>> Nichols <nicho@zianet.com> 10/22/2005 2:44:18 PM >>>
> At 10:16 AM 10/22/2005 -0600, you wrote:
>
> >  Guy, Howjudodat <G>
> >
> ><(***)>
> >      ~~~
>
> Doesn't matter, does it? You've got it now.
>
> Or.... for ms; start / run / charmap
>
> g
>
> ****`****,,,,****`****,,,,****`****,,,,****`*******`****,,,,***
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives