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Author
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Topic: cold weather and steels
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James Marlowe
Member From: Lakeland, Florida, USA
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posted 19 December 2005 07:24 AM
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I know that extreme heat is not good for any musical instrument, but what about cold.
I'm traveling to Nashville this weekend to visit kinfolk and naturally I'll be taking my steel. Is there any ill effects from cold on the steel? There may be times when I need to leave it in the car overnight. I'll be parked in a secure area, so secutity isn't an issue. Any advice?
james |
Donny Hinson
Member From: Balto., Md. U.S.A.
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posted 19 December 2005 07:56 AM
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If it's lacquered wood, and you absolutely have to leave it in the cold overnight, I'd suggest letting it come back up to temperature very slowly. In other words, don't take it right from the case at (25 degrees), and set it up in an 80 degree room, just leave it in the case a few hours. That lets the temperature come up gradually, preventing a lot of condensation from forming on the metal parts, and it gives the wood a chance to expand slowly, minimizing possible crazing of the finish. (This is especially a problem with older steels, where the old finish has lost it's "flex".) |
James Marlowe
Member From: Lakeland, Florida, USA
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posted 19 December 2005 08:02 AM
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Thanks Donny. It's not lacquer and not real old, a '95 Zum. Hopefully it won't come to being left outside, but I was just concerned about the possibilies...james |
Tony Prior
Member From: Charlotte NC
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posted 19 December 2005 08:10 AM
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James, I think if it is humanly possible to bring the Steel or any other Guitar inside for the night to avoide extreme outdoor temps, I use below freezing...the thats what I would do.. There's always room for a guitar case somehwere t |
Marlin Smoot
Member From: Atlanta,Georgia, USA
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posted 19 December 2005 09:39 AM
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I've always felt like any guitar is to be treated like a person (After all, their only human...just like our pets!) If I would feel cold staying in a car overnight, the guitar will feel the same way.
Likewise on a hot day. If I can not stay in a car on a hot day with the windows rolled up then I should not expect my guitar to do the same. However, it is nice that you take your guitar on vacation, be sure to let it see the Country Music Hall of fame and other famous landmarks. After a full morning of running around, be sure to take your guitar over to Mary's for some BBQ. You can sit in the car because "they don't have no sit down." The way to really bypass this is; have a guitar you can leave in the car if you have to, that way, you don't have to worry AS MUCH. And I would NEVER leave anything in a car in Nashville, not even a candy bar wrapper on the floorboard. |
Jack Stoner
Sysop From: Inverness, Florida
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posted 19 December 2005 09:46 AM
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I agree, don't leave it in the car! I know there are those that do it, but having lived in "northern" areas it's just not the thing to do. |
David Wren
Member From: Placerville, California, USA
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posted 19 December 2005 01:56 PM
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I've always heard that cold temps are also bad for the shellack coating on the wire used for pickup windings as well... so I never leave my steel in the car over night when it's below freezing, and I always go out and check on my wife at least 3 times a night :-)
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Dave Wren
'95Carter S12-E9/B6,7X7; Session500; Hilton Pedal
www.ameechapman.com |
Calvin Walley
Member From: colorado city colorado, USA
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posted 19 December 2005 02:03 PM
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hey ...don't forget to mention that changes in tempature really messes up the tuningcalvin ------------------
ZumSteel |
Tony Smart
Member From: Harlow. Essex. England
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posted 20 December 2005 02:06 PM
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David , don't waste time checking on your wife three times a night - build a real snowman.[This message was edited by Tony Smart on 20 December 2005 at 02:07 PM.] |
Donny Hinson
Member From: Balto., Md. U.S.A.
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posted 21 December 2005 07:49 AM
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David, the standard coating on magnet wire is an enamel, and it's very temperature resistant. It's the same coating used on wire in motors, starters, and alternators in cars, so "normal" cold temperatures (down to about -30 centigrade) don't bother it. Minimum high temperature ratings for magnet wire enamel range from 105 centigrade to 155 centigrade, depending on the manufacturer, so leaving your guitar in the car in summer weather shouldn't be a problem, either, as far at the pickups are concerned. |
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