Can an acoustic guitar warp in the heat?

Question

My parents won't let me take my guitar on a trip because they think it will warp. Does it? It isn't even going to be a non-air conditioned environment for very long.

Answer 1

Think of it this way. If you're comfortable, your guitar is comfortable. If it's too hot for you, it's too hot for your guitar. The best advice I can offer is to detune it and NO CASE, it'll trap the heat. Acoustics tend to be more susceptible to heat damage than electrics. If there's any way it can travel in the car with you instead of the trunk, do it. I ride with mine in the case in the back seat with the seatbelt on it (Its a '68 Martin, and I baby it)

Answer 2

Any guitar can warp if given the right circumstances. On thing people do to prevent this is get a case that has a humidity control in it that would keep the guitar on the inside in optimum conditions. This is more important on more expensive guitars with solid tops. If your guitar is made of plywood, (most inexpensive acoustic guitars are) there is less chance of this happening. You would still want to keep it in a case even if it is plywood. Odds are your parents are being overprotective, but it still is possible for it to warp. Hope this helps...

Answer 3

Proper care of your guitar doesn't always mean to baby it.
Guitar construction might vary between makers, but they are generally built well enough to handle road wear.

I've included a link to Taylor Guitars, (in my opinion) the finest guitar maker in America (perhaps the world).
You might find some useful info on their site.

I used to bring my old Yamaha F150 guitar on trip.
It was in a flimsy case and survived all sorts of teen-aged abuse.
Still have it, after 30+ years.

The key is to avoid BIG temperature and humidity swings.
Like, after sitting in a hot car all day then going into a chilled hotel room.

Get some facts and tell your folks that playing the guitar will keep you from wandering out and getting into trouble!

Good luck and happy jammin'!

Answer 4

Absolutely. Any wood instrument can warp in the heat or even in very humid conditions.

Answer 5

They usually varnish the wood, and if you've ever been out on a varnished deck that sits in the sun all day, you'll notice that the wood doesn't take to kindly. So yes, it can. But you would have to have it in the sun for weeks or in a temperature of about 200 degrees for that to happen, so yeah.

Answer 6

I kept mine in 90 degree heat with no air conditioning in the Southern Thailand jungle for 3 months last year and had no warpage. Unwinding the strings a little bit is important because they expand/contract in different temperature conditions.

Try these pages
http://www.pjguitar.com/article3.htm
http://www.guitartips.addr.com/tip14.html

Answer 7

It would take severe temperature changes to cause warping in your guitar. I traveled cross-country with mine and never had any problems.

Answer 8

Yes, even metal slightly expands and contracts due to different temperatures. You can still take the risk though, just for a little disobedience.

Answer 9

go spend $35 on a "gig bag" that will protect your guitar. sure there is a possibilty your guitar could warp - no matter how unlikely it may seem.

Answer 10

yes just like any piece of wood it is sensitive to heat, moisture, and the cold. Lets just say it's sensitive to all of the elements. Best to keep it in a case.