hot weather guitar shipping?

[geoguy]

I recall reading awhile ago that CF Martin won't ship new guitars if ambient air temperatures are above some threshold, but can't recall exactly what the number is.

And I haven't found that magic number despite several on-line searches.

Does anyone know what that temperature limit might be? I figure it might be a reasonable threshold for our beloved brand, too . . .

TIA,

- Mark

 

[adorshki]

I've seen refs here that they won't do it BELOW a certain temp due to the potential finish damage issues, but never heard of a high temp limit. Could see where they might be concerned about glue integrity at high temps though.

 

[West R Lee]

Same here. I've read that they won't ship in extremely cold weather, but never read that they wouldn't in hot weather. Not to say that they don't have a guideline for hot weather, I've just never read it.

West

 

[Jeff_L]

Try e-mailing and asking. I've always found Martin to be very forthcoming with information.

Jeff

 

[geoguy]

Ok, I'll accept that my memory may be faulty here . . .

Does anyone know of an upper temp limit that should be respected when shipping an acoustic guitar? I'm thinking low to mid-80's (degrees F, obviously) should still be alright.

Sites such as frets dot com, etc. all recommend using caution when shipping in hot weather, but they don't seem to specify what might be too hot.

Thanks again,

- Mark

 

[devellis]

Well, this won't help much but you want to keep an instrument below about 140 degrees F. Glues can fail at or near that temperature. Obviously the outside temperature won't be that high except possibly in the desert southwest but temps inside a vehicle can easily get up that high in summer. My practice is to avoid extended shipping schedules as best I can. I don't like having instruments shipped on a Thursday or Friday if they're likely to be sitting somewhere over the weekend that might stress them thermally. For a good instrument, I generally spring for next-day shipping.

A warehouse or a truck that's occupied by a driver who is in essentially the same space as the cargo (like a UPS truck) is pretty unlikely to get into a dangerously high temperature range. But if a truck is left packed and then parked in the sun for an extended time, that's a different story. Likewise, a truck that has the cargo in a closed trailer that the driver never sets foot in as he/she rolls extended distances may get really hot in the cargo box. I'm not sure I'd completely trust the shipper's version of how packages are handled, thus my preference for fast deliveries -- fewer opportunities for extreme temperatures to do harm. Maybe this is just superstition that doesn't buy me any real protection but it's worked so far and I'm stickin' with it.

 

[West R Lee]

Ok, I'll accept that my memory may be faulty here . . .

Does anyone know of an upper temp limit that should be respected when shipping an acoustic guitar? I'm thinking low to mid-80's (degrees F, obviously) should still be alright.

Sites such as frets dot com, etc. all recommend using caution when shipping in hot weather, but they don't seem to specify what might be too hot.

Thanks again,

- Mark

I agree. I wouldn't have a clue as to what the temperature might have to be, but I'd say whatever temperature might soften the glue that binds for obvious reasons.

West

 

[taabru45]

I'd hate like heck to be expecting a guitar to arrive and then recieve a kit... :lol: :lol: Steffan

 

[johnmac]

Re: hot weather aftercare

On a related problem, my Guild's new home will be in Kuwait where temperatures can rise to 55 Celsius with very low humidity. Any care suggestions from those in, for example, the Mojave region? I will have no technical support at all so must rely on friends here to help out if I get neck problems.
I think it will be the only one in the country, btw...

 

[taabru45]

Wow......good luck with that. Under extreme duress of any kind, I guess you might want to pick up a Rainsong, or one of the other carbon fiber guitars, you can darn near jump up and down on the things, and take it from the freezer to do a gig in that outside sunshine you speak of and it would still stay in tune.....I played one once...very nice bright well balanced sound.....so that would be maybe something to consider till you come back to the 'moderate' weather we are all complaining about...I sure wish you the very best. Regards, Steffan