Tips For Storing Your Old Musical Instrument

Taking good care of older musical instruments can mean placing them in storage because they are not played as much anymore. How you store your older instrument can determine its overall condition over a period of time. Taking the time to properly store your instrument can help to preserve it during long-term storage. Follow these tips for ensuring that your older instrument is safely stored.

Why A Storage Facility Is The Best Place For Your Older Instrument

If you are considering your attic as a storage place for your older instrument, you might think about some reasons why anyplace in your home may not be the best place, especially for a fragile older instrument. When you store your instrument in a storage facility, you can choose one that has constant climate control. In your home, climate control can be tough to control simply because you cook and bathe in your home. As you cook, steam flows through home. The same is also true about taking showers. If your instrument is in your attic and the hot, steamy air moves upward as it always does, your instrument can suffer serious moisture damage over time. In a storage facility, no one is cooking or taking showers. Storage facilities have climate control in place that will also protect your instrument from moisture damage during rainy days and hot, humid days.

Inspecting Your Instrument On A Regular Basis Is Smart

Even if your older, antique instrument is stored in a safe, climate controlled facility, taking the time to inspect it at least once a year is a good idea. When inspecting an older instrument, you should look for structural damage like cracks or splitting wood and damage from insects like tiny holes. Be sure to also check for buildup of dust and grime. To avoid these kinds of damages in climate controlled storage facility, placing your instrument in a case or under appropriate covering is advised. By placing your instrument in its original case or, like in the case of an older piano, a sheet or soft tarp, you lower the risk of damage caused by the buildup of dust and dirt.

Your instrument may be worth a great deal of money if it is in good condition and still retains its capability of making musical sounds. By taking steps to ensure your older instrument is properly stored, especially if its storage will be long-term, you can rest assured your instrument will keep its value.


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