#1
|
|||
|
|||
How much can CF guitars withstand?
The local Rainsong dealer told me they don't recommend leaving them left in the trunk of a car during a hot day, not because of the CF, but because of the glue. This got me thinking; what is safe for our CF guitars? I'm not talking about keeping them from getting run over by a truck, I'm talking day to day transporting and gigging. Is there a point they get too hot or too cold? Can they get wet, like a gig where it starts raining? What precautions are necessary?
I ask because I was a little surprised by the dealers comments. I thought they were almost bullet proof. Am I wrong? |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Hi.
There is a 2011 thread with reply from Ashvin at RainSong. And a durability thread from April 5th this year. Dave at RainSong is great responding to email and can give your their current recommendation. My understanding is that well established CF guitar makers use aerospace grade materials that are extremely durable. Cheers.
__________________
2018 RainSong H-DR1000N2/T copper burst - carbon fibre 2016 CA Cargo black - carbon fibre 2016 Fender Telecaster thinline 2014 Fender Concert Pro (New Hartford) - red spruce, mahogany |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
I'm not aware of any issues whatsoever with extreme cold, or with humidity (high or low). I do remember there being a lot of caution around extreme heat, like being stuck in a hot car trunk all day in direct sunlight in the hottest parts of the world. Even then, as that old thread discussed, there have been a lot of advances in the epoxy used in the carbon fiber process. I think I would still exercise a lot of caution with extreme *surface* temperature, since most carbon fiber guitars are either natural black, or at least dark colored. Setting them out in high heat AND direct sunlight would be moderately risky. In a case or gig bag, or inside a trunk, would be very safe. I'd expect a nylon gig bag or tolex-covered case to sustain damage long before the guitar inside would.
There have been examples of carbon fiber guitars taking a strong impact and being injured or destroyed, but they are definitely capable of taking more of a hit than a standard wooden acoustic. That said, they aren't indestructible. And they are a bit more expensive than some wooden guitars, which makes us a little more cautious about preserving them. I treat mine roughly as well as any of my wooden acoustics, except I don't worry as much about climate control, so they spend a lot more time out of cases and ready to play. |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
I remember a video that Emerald posted (or shared?) where they let a guitar sink to the bottom of a swimming pool, dove to retrieve it, emptiedit, and started playing.
You could damage something if you filled a guitar with water and then let it freeze. You can split rock by filling a cavity with water and letting it freeze.
__________________
Breedlove, Landola, a couple of electrics, and a guitar-shaped-object Last edited by perttime; 05-01-2021 at 10:22 PM. |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
which he made. and it was used on Fleetwood Mac's "the chain" it was a prototype to test the theory, but never meant to be a long term thing. it was made with 1 hour epoxy John McVie Loved it and took it on the road. where, somewhere like Arizona or Nevada it was sitting in it's case in direct sunlight. and the epoxy softened and the bass disintegrated in its case. Rick certainly learned from that, I hope other builders did too!
__________________
Quote:
|
#6
|
|||
|
|||
This much:
....but not this much:
__________________
_zedagive If you play it right the first time, it's not hard enough. Breedlove Exotic CM Classic E: Red Cedar/Black Walnut Bedell Angelica Bellissima Parlor: Sunken Cedar/EIR Breedlove Crossover OO Mandolin: Sitka/Maple |
#7
|
||||
|
||||
Guitars made from carbon fiber are much more resistant to changes in temperature and humidity than guitars made from wood, and that should apply to everyday gigging and transporting. It also allows us to leave our CF guitars out on their stands year-round where they remain very accessible for playing. If it's hot outside and I'm transporting one of my Rainsongs, chances are the air conditioner is on so the guitar isn't exposed to extreme temperatures. If I'm on a multi-day trip, the guitar goes inside with me at night. If I play it outside and it's too hot to touch, I wouldn't want to play it anyway and it goes inside to cool off. I've got a bunch of money tied up in my guitars and take reasonable care of them. I really don't plan to use them as part of an experiment to determine what the extreme limits of their durability are...
__________________
Emerald X20 Emerald X20-12 Martin D18 Martin 000-15sm |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
Videos of CF guitar abuse =>https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...of CF guitars.
Epoxy CF is production cured at 250-350*F. High temp adhesive is available for CF fabrication. Example is Huntsman Alderite with almost 400*F usability limit. My understanding is that hot cars in mid summer sun can reach 140-160*F or so. Which means useful high temp materials are available to savvy CF guitar makers. Ashwin Coomar at RainSong answered the 2011 query thread. Got a RainSong to endure hot vehicles while sight seeing on rod trips. No road trips yet but I'm confident will be OK. Cheers
__________________
2018 RainSong H-DR1000N2/T copper burst - carbon fibre 2016 CA Cargo black - carbon fibre 2016 Fender Telecaster thinline 2014 Fender Concert Pro (New Hartford) - red spruce, mahogany |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
|
#10
|
|||
|
|||
Thanks for confirmation. The RainSong travels in a tan colour taylor gig bag. I like to play in the shade under trees or my portable inexpensive 10'x10' canopy that folds into a 10"x10"x54" carry bag. The canopy is the same as used by vendors at festivals.
__________________
2018 RainSong H-DR1000N2/T copper burst - carbon fibre 2016 CA Cargo black - carbon fibre 2016 Fender Telecaster thinline 2014 Fender Concert Pro (New Hartford) - red spruce, mahogany |
#11
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
__________________
Leviora A1 Fan Fret Martin OMC28BLJ ArchAngels Wings (Dreadnought) Grace Felix L.R.Baggs Mixpro Zoom A3 Trace Elliot TA40CR Henriksen the Bud ten |
#12
|
|||
|
|||
I left a McPherson touring in my trunk (white car) in over 100 degree heat for five days once. it was fine.
__________________
Emerald X30 Padauk Custom Emerald X20 Koa 1998 Gibson J200 Elite 1972 Martin D-28 McPherson Sable Breedlove Masterclass Taylor PS16ce Macassar |
#13
|
|||
|
|||
A year ago, I sent some of my belongings through sea freight (LCL cargo). It took about 3 months total. My Rainsong was included in the cargo inside a Hiscox case. Not sure how hot it can get inside the vessel, but I asked my shipping manager about it and he said it can get quite hot (30+C, 90+F).
I wrapped my Hiscox case with brown packaging paper and topped it off with bubble wraps while my guitar was cushioned with socks and shirts since the case wasn't even built for that. I can imagine that heat will more or less penetrate 3 months in transit. My guitar came out fine. |
#14
|
|||
|
|||
As a rule of thumb, avoid doing something to a CF guitar that would probably be fatal if it was done to you. Should be easy to comply.
__________________
Marco "If want to be happy, be." (L.Tolstoj) |
#15
|
|||
|
|||
A heavy (for plastic), 16 oz. glass fell from our RV’s upper cabinet storage (about 4 ft.) and landed base down on the face of my X30. It bounced up and landed beside the guitar before I had time to react.
I was in worse condition after seeing it than the guitar was. Not a mark.
__________________
McCollum Grand Auditorum Euro Spruce/Brazilian PRS Hollowbody Spruce PRS SC58 Giffin Vikta Gibson Custom Shop ES 335 '59 Historic RI ‘91 Les Paul Standard ‘52 AVRI Tele - Richie Baxt build Fender American Deluxe Tele Fender Fat Strat |