Is it a good idea to loosen the strings a bit when not playing my guitar for a long time?
2006-12-28 07:53:42 · 8 answers · asked by Cocoa Beware 3 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Music
well, i guess i can blame ESP guitars' manual b/c it says to release tension when not playing for a while.
with me, not playing for a "while" means a couple of days.
2006-12-28 09:31:50 · update #1
Not really. Guitars of all types are designed to have a certain amount of tension applied to the neck, so loosening the strings can cause the neck of your guitar to "bow." You definitely don't want that. Best bet is to leave the strings alone and make sure any guitar that is not played for any length of time is kept in a place that has strict temperature and humidity controls -- a little below room temperature is ideal. When you go back to playing again, first order of business is to re-string your guitar and check the neck. If it seems off, take it to a guitar shop and have them look at it. They can usually adjust the truss rod (if your guitar has one, and most do) to straighten out the neck if it needs it.
2006-12-28 07:59:34 · answer #1 · answered by sarge927 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hmmmm.....I wouldn't. But, then again, I don't know why you wouldn't play your guitar for a long time.
If anything, I'd be worried that taking too much tension off the neck would cause it to warp when you put the tension back on. If it were me, I'd just leave it as it is.
2006-12-28 16:00:14 · answer #2 · answered by Answer Schmancer 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, but just enough relieve tension, Do not loosen them so that they flap or touch each other. For more information, go to Google and search "storing a guitar."
Kabum
2006-12-28 16:01:08 · answer #3 · answered by kabum 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, I think you would mess up the strings more by doing that all the time. I would also get aggravated having to re-tune the entire guitar all the time...it is best to just leave them alone.
2006-12-28 16:10:21 · answer #4 · answered by Led*Zep*Babe 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No. Unless you keep it in an alter tuning, like open E. That's bad on the neck, and should be put back in standard tuning when not playing it.
2006-12-28 16:01:19 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
no because it messes up the strings tightening it and untightining it over and over. its like pulling a rubber band back and forth over and over and it breaks
2006-12-28 16:01:54 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
no butif you are transporting it over altitude changes, eg if your flying w it or driving from death valley ca to denver
2006-12-28 17:54:51 · answer #7 · answered by cav 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No.
2006-12-28 16:01:10 · answer #8 · answered by ifyoulovehim, t e l l him<3 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋