What's The Best Way To Preserve Musical Instruments?

Question: What's The Best Way To Preserve Musical Instruments!?

My dad left me some musical instruments: 3 fiddles, a mandolin, and 3 guitars!. The guitars are valuable, the others I don't know!. None have been played in at least 5 years!. What is the best way to store them!? Should the strings be loosened/removed!? Should they be kept in their cases(they're awfully musty now)!? I have an empty closet, should I keep them in there!? Thanks!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

loosen the bows and strings for all of them!. you don't necessarily have to remove them, it will just make a lot more work for you down the road if you decide to play them!. with all wood instruments, they swell and shrink with the humidity!. as long as you keep them all in hard coated cases the weather shouldn't affect them!. if you go to any music store, they have polish for wood instruments that dusts AND cleans without wrecking the varnish!.

good luck!Www@QuestionHome@Com

They actually should be kept in a temperature//humidity controlled environment!. If you live in a dry desert area or where you have to use the AC a lot then get a humidifier!.

http://classicalguitarbuilder!.com/march_!.!.!.

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