storing pedal steels in an unheated garage

Andy Keen · From: Oregon, USA

I've been keeping my pedal steel (70's MSA) in the garage and the temps here get to the 30's in the winter. I normally come out and crank up the heater in the garage when i play. I'm thinking I should be hauling them into the heated house when I'm not playing. Question is, will this warp the wood if I keep doing this? Are there any other side effects?

Dave Hopping · From: Aurora, Colorado

A musical instrument can stand any temperature that a human can stand.It's rapid temperature changes that damage finishes.I've been storing a couple of lacquered steels in the (unheated) garage for several years without anything going awry,but if I had to move one of them into the house in the winter,I'd keep it away from heater vents AND not open the case for 24 hours.YMMV

Kevin Mincke · From: Farmington, MN (Twin Cities-South Metro) USA

See this post:
http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=218732&highlight=

Clete Ritta · From: San Antonio, Texas

Leaving it in the cold will make the strings go sharp, but probably wont do any damage. What will do damage is quickly changing its environment from cold to hot or vice-versa. The damage will most likely be cosmetic, like checking and cracking of the finish if it has a lacquer coating, but could be worse if the humidity levels are different. The wood swells with humidity, and hot dry air can cause it to shrink and crack. Put it in the case and move it, so that it gradually adjusts to the new conditions. Best is to try and keep its environment consistent wherever it is.

Clete

Todd Brown · From: W. Columbia , South Carolina

Just to add to what Kevin said in the last post from the linked thread. This is what I was told. Treat it like you would yourself, or newborn baby, or any other warm blooded creature. You know how they say if you're hot, the baby's probably hot, and vice versa. Would you want to stay the night in an unheated garage with outside temps of 20-30 degrees? Hell no!! Or leave it in your car overnight, for that matter. That's kinda irresponsible in a couple ways as Tony pointed out.

You could heat the garage, or do what I do. Just put it in the case and carry it in the house when your done playing for the night. Leave it in the case. Glad to know my wife is not the only one who's banished me to the garage to practice.

Kevin Hatton · From: Buffalo, N.Y.

Cold won't hurt it. Heat and humidity definitely will. Rapid temperature change also.

Brett Day · From: Pickens, SC

I keep my Jackson steel in my bedroom during the winter months, since there's not a full heater in the basement yet.

Brett

Tracy Sheehan · From: Fort Worth, Texas, USA

I posted this a long time back but will again. Some years back when i was working with a road band i got a Gibson Byrdland guitar. I was working in the Dakotas at the time in the middle of winter. I got this info straight from the Gibson guitar co. I had to take my steel,fiddle and guitar out of a cold trailer in much below zero at times.

I was told by some one at Gibson when taking a instrument out of a cold place into a warm place and do not have the time to let it change temps to open the case and shut it real quick. Open and shut it quickly several times to circulate the air in the case. Forces the cold out and the warm in..Keeps it from streaking or cracking the finish. It works. Tracy

CrowBear Schmitt · From: Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France

Bo Borland · From: South Jersey -

Treat all your instruments like your girlfriend!

Would you leave her in the garage/club/car/attic ? Laughing

Ben Feher · From: Austin TX

Pedal steels are tough critters. Its not like a guitar in a hot car where you can expect to open the case and find a pile of wood that used to be a guitar. Be ready for finish problems, some tuning instability as parts exand and contract, and screws coming loose. But will you open up the case and find that your pedal steel is now "broken"? I'd say its pretty unlikely. But when you realize that the temperature here is in the single digits, if I had gigs I'd have to go to them and you know what? I'm sure my steel would freeze and thaw a few times and I am sure it will keep on kicking. They are delicate for sure, but not really compared to an acoustic guitar.

Safe bet? Don't let it freeze. If it does, keep it in the case for several HOURS inside to warm up. Check bolt tightness occasionally. Brace yourself for finish cracks. Life goes on.

But if its a question of just carrying it inside to have it safe and cozy... carry it.

chris ivey · From: california (deceased)

my friend has a beautiful gryphon dreadnaught (walnut..fancy touches) custom made by frank ford. it lived in vermont for years and has total checking in the finish now. still a beautiful guitar.

Henry Matthews · From: Texarkana, Ark USA

I've seem my steels go from one extreme to the other and never noticed any problem when they got back to room temp. We flew once to Palm Springa for a gig. My guitar was in cargo hole and when I took it out, it had to be about minus 15 and also, one day in Los Colinas, it was so hot when I sat down at my guitar that it actually burned my arm. Repeated changes like this could cause problems lie Formica glue letting up and things like that but don't think 30 degrees would even hurt a guitar. JMHO

I might add that these were Formica guitars and Tracy, great idea about fanning the case.
_________________
Henry Matthews

D-10 Magnum, 8 &5, dark rose color
D-10 1974 Emmons cut tail, fat back,rosewood, 8&5
Nashville 112 amp, Fishman Loudbox Performer amp, Hilton pedal, Goodrich pedal,BJS bar, Kyser picks, Live steel Strings. No effects, doodads or stomp boxes.

John De Maille · From: On a Mountain in Upstate Halcottsville, N.Y.

After destroying the finish on a Guild Starfire 12 string guitar, I'll never, ever leave an instrument in a cold or hot situation. I left my 12 string in the trunk of my car, overnight, in the winter and when I opened the case at home, it immediately turned milky, then a zillion checks showed up all over it. I was heartbroken. Also, a bass player, I knew, left his PV bass in his car in the summer. When he retrieved the next day, the neck warped like a banana. He had to replace the neck, it was warped so bad. I wouldn't recommend it, but, to each his own. I don't leave any instruments to the elements any more.

Steve Alcott · From: New York, New York, USA

I don't leave any musical equipment overnight in a place where I wouldn't want to spend the night.

Al Udeen · From: Hendersonville Tn

Keep them under the bed

Ben Feher · From: Austin TX

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