Possibly going on a Road trip with nice guitar ,advice?

[cabphoto]

HI There-

So My girlfriend and I may be going on an extended road trip. Any advice for caring for a valuable acoustic while on the road. It's my only guitar and I can't afford another and don't want to be without it. Any thoughts on caring for an instrument that will be in car for a prolonged period of time? Will be all over the US in a Van.

[DenverSteve]

No real concerns. Don't leave it in the vehicle if too cold or warm. Take it in with you when you are leaving the vehicle for more than a short bit. And, keep it humidified.

[martingitdave]

Buy a nice thermally insulated hardshell case and keep a couple humidipacks in it. Make sure you can't see it from outside the car. Don't leave it in the heat, if it can be avoided. Wade Hampton has a great analogy to treat your instrument like a 5 year old. Don't take it, or leave it, anywhere you wouldn't take a 5 year old child.


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[jeanray1113]

Theft is your biggest concern. While never leaving it in the vehicle is good advice, it isn't always practical for the kinds of things people often do when traveling. If you're able to check into a hotel and leave it in the room while you're out and about, that's ideal. If not, don't make it obvious. Cover it in such a way that it isn't obvious you're trying to hide something of value. Watch where you park. You can decrease, but not eliminate, your chances of a break in this way. I strongly advise getting instrument insurance before you go. I use Clarion, but many members here also use Heritage. Your yearly premium, at least with Clarion, will be far less than a really cheap guitar. Then, if something does happen, you have a $100 deductible and the rest is covered.

As far as weather is concerned, humidity and heat are your biggest worries. Depending on where you're going, you can use a humidifier or buy the packs that will either add or decrease humidity. Cold won't harm the guitar--the danger is too sudden a change. If it's in really cold conditions you will have to let it acclimate to warmer conditions gradually without opening the case. Extreme heat, though, can do great damage and must be avoided.

[Misifus]

The safest thing is to never leave it in the car, period. This is not easy. Lugging the instrument around with you can be a pain. Finding a safe place to place it while you eat may require some ingenuity, but that is far better than dealing with the consequences of leaving it in the car (van).

[harmonics101]

I'd seriously weigh the positives vis a vis negatives for taking an expensive guitar on the road, in a van. Is the hassle worth the enjoyment factor etcetera,

H

[Slinky]

Frankly, I would take a beater.

[buddyhu]

When I travel, I generally want to be pretty carefree. If this trip doesn't have an element of important guitar involvement (attending a festival,or a workshop) I would not take a nice guitar. Worrying about an expensive guitar being stolen or damaged by temperature extremes is not something. Buy a cheap used laminate guitar, or a travel guitar, and take that.

[ahorsewithnonam]

If you can't afford a cheap beater, how can you afford this extended vacation? Makes no sense to me.

[Napman41]

My girlfriend (now my wife) and I took a 5 month road trip around the perimeter of the States years back. I brought the only guitar I owned at the time with us. Initially I was pretty concerned but it got played around campfires, open mic nights and house jams in 44 plus states and a few Canadian provinces. Memories last a lifetime so I'd take the guitar. The following year we drove from NJ to Alaska over the course of 4 months. On the way home we needed to sell a different guitar to pay for a new CV joint in our Vanagon. Again, I'd take the guitar and hit the road, you'll never regret it. Safe travels.

[GHS]

Originally Posted by ahorsewithnonam

If you can't afford a cheap beater, how can you afford this extended vacation? Makes no sense to me.

Best advice yet. Rain drops, campfire smoke, high heat in the car, all cant be avoided. Take a cheaper guitar and have a good time.

[The Bard Rocks]

I travel with a guitar at times. And bring a reflective tarp with me that I spread out over the inside of the car when I am way from it. That does two things: keeps my possessions hidden, and its repels some of the heat. If a thief can't see something they want, they are less likely to attempt a break-in. Assuming you travel into summer as most folks do, heat will be your biggest enemy. NO trunks, please!

[SprintBob]

Find a way to buy a carbon fiber guitar, problems/worries eliminated. My CF guitar handles cold and heat without a blink.

[fishstick_kitty]

I would personally bring a less expensive guitar so that you won't feel concerned about bringing it out around a camp fire or letting somebody else play it or, god forbid, it gets stolen.

[Goodallboy]

Originally Posted by ahorsewithnonam

If you can't afford a cheap beater, how can you afford this extended vacation? Makes no sense to me.

What an inappropriate question that's absolutely none of your (or mine) business.