How to play in the cold

[Ridgemont]

Hi All,

I was thinking of playing at this charity event in my home town. When we arrived last night, the temp was in the 50's which was much colder than I had expected. The event will be outside, as would be my playing. My question is whether it would be a good idea to play my D25 in that temp. I do not want to cause any damage to the lacquer or the the guitar. Am I being paranoid? Also, if the rapid temp change from room temp to somewhere in the 50s could be avoided, then how is that possible? My initial thought would be to let it sit in its case outside for a while before taking it out. I have never done this before so I thought I would consult the experts.

thanks,
Ridgemont

 

[Scratch]

Ridge,
Think you'll be OK. That D25 will handle those temps easily.

Playing in Austin?

 

[Ridgemont]

Hey Scratch,

Thanks a lot. I figured I was being paranoid. The event is in El Paso, Tx actually.

I will give you the brief story of this event. My father-in-law was killed by a hit and run drunk driver three years ago while he was on a training run for a marathon on his 52nd birthday. He was a music teacher for about 25 years.

We put on a charity race (8k run/1k walk) every year to bring runner safety awareness in addition to raise money for music education. I don't play very well, but I thought I would play since it is a music education fundraiser. The event is called "May the Music Live On, Celebrating the Life of John Denis May." It really is a great event with a worthy cause, and a lot of people show up. Hope I don't choke...

thanks again,
Ridgemont

 

[Scratch]

You won't choke, my man, but I think I just did. So sorry to hear of your loss.

El Paso is dryer than it is here in SC Tejas, so that combined with 50s temps could bear some minor caution. I'd recommend a soundhole humidifier in El Paso. Give it a couple of hours in the case when removing it in a warmer environment following the event to prevent finish checking.

Good luck Ridge; you da man...

 

[evenkeel]

So sorry to hear of your loss.

Couple of playing in the cold tips.
Let the guitar come down to temp gently. Don't just take her out of the case and tune her up. Open the case, leave the guitar in it for a while before removing.

I used to play at a regular open air gig in St. Pete in the winter months. Temps in the 50's was pretty common. The guitar was fine but the player often struggled. I learned to spend some extra time warming up. Making sure my hands were warm when going on stage was critical.

 

[chazzan]

I remember the wedding band days where I would have to play the ceremony in the hot/ humid outside, then play the reception in the cool air-conditioned hall- the guitars would be constantly going out of tune.

What i would do, if you have time, is leave the guitar in the case outside where you have to play then tune it outside. This way the guitar acclimates itself to the temp AND it wont go out of tune, since you are tuning it where you will be playing it (vs tuning indoors and playing outside......not Rx)

 

[killdeer43]

Ridge,

"Temps in the 50s" doesn't sound very cold to me but here's a tip anyway, FWIW: Hold that D25 close, like you really mean it, and you'll keep each other at the perfect operating temperature.
"And let the winds howl!"

Have a wonderful time for a good cause. Good on ya'.
Joe

 

[adorshki]

Hi Ridge; I'm also sorry to hear of the loss. I'm also with those who say the guitar itself will handle the temps but it's the finish you are so wisely thinking about. Try to coool it down
SL-o-o--o-wLY. Maybe even a couple of transition rooms with the case open for an hour each if possible. I don't think leaving her in the case outside for a while will be enough of a transition, I think the case will insulate her too well and the opening of it will be too rapid a change. It's what nailed mine if you remember.
Sincere regards,
Al

 

[Default]

Hope I don't choke...

Opening line:

Hi folks! I wanted to play for y'all in the worst way!
<dryly>
That way, there's no pressure on me or expectations on your part.

Sounds like a worthy cause and a great time waiting to happen!

 

[baldgit]

Sorry to hear about the loss of your Dad......I hope you have a great fundraiser!.........didn't think it got that cold in Texas!

 

[killdeer43]

didn't think it got that cold in Texas!

It's a mighty big state that can get mighty cold in certain parts. Ask anyone from the Panhandle if it ever gets cold in Dalhart in January. :wink:

Been there, done that,
Joe

 

[Taylor Martin Guild]

Don't forget to slowly warm it back up after you get home.
Most damage to a guitar comes from going from cold to hot too quickly.

 

[killdeer43]

Don't forget to slowly warm it back up after you get home.
Most damage to a guitar comes from going from cold to hot too quickly.

I have first-hand experience with that little subtlety.
Weed, California; well below freezing; D50 was in the trunk all day and I didn't do the "slow-warming" technique. I thought I had it pretty well packed for the cold and it was too late in the day to think.
Should have put my mother-in-law in the trunk!

Sorry, I can't go on....

But I'll be OK,
Joe

 

[taabru45]

I'm gonna mention the Tric (foam) case again, by Godin. If you go to the factory tour, my luthier friend told me about this, they put in a high end guitar and throw it off the 2nd story roof. No damage, they then put it in the drying kiln, at about 140 degrees F. for a couple of hours while you do the tour. Then they take it out of the kiln, and there is less than a 2 degree change of temp from before it went in. For a hundred bucks, its cheap insurance, and my D25 snugs right in there. I haven't been in the factory tour but I saw a Godin sponsored show once and they took a high end guitar in that case, and threw it in a nice high and long arch, landed bounced 2 or 2 times, no damage, and still in tune, very impressive. by the way they only weigh 2.5 lbs...nice on the old back. :shock: Steffan
http://www.musiciansbuy.com/SEAGULL-gui ... -case.html
http://www.seagullguitars.com/fortepp.htm
http://www.acousticguitar.com/ubb/Forum ... 18238.html
Amazon has 3 Dread, size left for $99, with cover.http://www.amazon.com/Seagull-Deluxe-Dr ... B000PIF14C

 

[cjd-player]

 

[adorshki]

HI Ridge,
S-o-o-o-o, how'd it go?

 

[Ridgemont]

HI Ridge,
S-o-o-o-o, how'd it go?

Well, didn't really go as planned. We had so many people registering the morning of the race, and we were short handed with volunteers. I ended up working the whole time and never got a chance to make everybody hate music. :lol: The important thing is that we had a good turn out. The temp was fine, and it would a good day for some playing, but I will have to wait for next year. I think another year of practice will help too.

Thanks everyone for the advice.

-Ridgemont

 

[adorshki]

You know what they say: "God'll getcha for that" :lol: