Selecting the right guitar stand is crucial for maintaining the condition of your instrument. With various padding materials like foam, rubber, and fabric, each stand aims to safeguard your guitar. However, it’s essential to be aware of potential risks, particularly regarding finishes like nitrocellulose.
Understanding Nitrocellulose Finish Risks
Nitrocellulose Finishes: Nitro finishes, commonly used on vintage and some modern guitars, are known for their thin, breathable coating. While this allows the wood to age beautifully, nitrocellulose is highly sensitive to chemicals, making it prone to damage from certain stand padding materials.
Historical Issues: Guitars with nitro finishes, especially older or vintage models, are at risk of damage from some stand padding. Reactions between the nitro finish and specific materials can lead to discoloration, degradation, or melting of the finish.
Modern Finishes: Today’s guitars often use polyurethane or polyester finishes, which are more resistant to chemical reactions. These modern finishes generally offer better protection from potential damage, making them less susceptible to issues caused by stand padding.
Top Guitar Manufacturers Regarding Guitar Stand Contact Materials
When contacted the following companies replied with these statements.
- Fender Musical Instruments
- When speaking of guitar stand materials “These products have been tested with many finishes and no problems have been found. Nonetheless, please exercise caution when placing vintage instruments and instruments with nitrocellulose finishes on this stand as sweat and other environmental contaminants, along with nitro and ageing can produce chemical reactions between instrument finishes and stand components that can neither be predicted or tested”. - Alex Rollins (Gear Advisor, Fender Musical Instruments)
- Taylor Guitars
- “The padding or rubber on a stand can sometimes affect certain finishes, mostly nitrocellulose lacquer. This isn't a concern for Taylors made since 1995 when we converted to our UV cured polyester finish. Other finishes we've used since that time are also resistant to interacting with those stand materials. So, if your Taylors are newer than 1995 you've got nothing to worry about.
Thanks for writing!” – Glen Wolff, Customer Service Manager, Taylor Guitars.
Top Guitar Stand Manufacturers
Here’s a breakdown of top guitar stand manufacturers’ statements regarding nitrocellulose finishes.
- K&M (König & Meyer)
- Padding Material: "Soft foam rubber."
- Guarantee Statement: "Our stands are designed with high-quality padding to ensure your instrument is protected."
- Potential Risks:
“with nitro lacquers which are not fully hardened it can happen in some cases that the colors of the guitars “bleed”, that means that the colors blur or fade, and can cause dents. König & Meyer is not liable for such damages!
Please regard the respective guitar manufacturer’s instruction manual.
We recommend to keep high quality guitars in the guitar case for long-term storage.” Gabriela Konig (CEO), K&M
source: https://www.k-m.de/brand/en/nitro-lacquer-info-sheet/
- Hercules
- Padding Material: "Advanced rubber compound."
- Guarantee Statement: "Our stands are built with care to avoid harm to your guitar."
- Potential Risks: Hercules acknowledges the following on their website “FAQs” page.
“There are thousands of variations of lacquer in use in today’s instrument manufacturing processes, making it impossible to test them all. Therefore, to maintain the level of respect and support your valuable instrument deserves, we recommend you refer to your instrument’s owner’s manual for more information regarding the proper storage of your instrument.”
source: https://herculesstands.us/faqs/
- On-Stage Stands
- Padding Material: Soft foam and rubber.
- Guarantee Statement: Our stands are built with care to avoid harm to your guitar.
- Potential Risks: On-Stage does not mention a direct risk concerning nitrocellulose finished on their website. It is recommended to consult with the manufacturers’ website or contact their customer support for information.
- Fret37 Corp
- Padding Material: EVA foam rubber
- Guarantee Statement: "High quality EVA foam keeps your guitar safe and protected on all contact points”
- Potential Risks: Fret37 guitar stands have a clear warning on their packaging for guitars with nitrocellulose finishes. “Although we have been informed that some have been discouraged to use of our stands because of the nitrocellulose warning on the package, we feel that guitar stand manufacturers have the obligation to warn their customers about the possibility of nitro burn. The warning is valuable for those with high-end or vintage guitars. In my opinion, it is not enough to have the warning on a hard-to-reach access of a website.” James Dingwall, Fret37 Corp
Best Practices for Guitar Storage
While a guitar stand is excellent for keeping your instrument accessible while you play, the safest place for your guitar when not in use is its case. Cases offer superior protection against dust, temperature changes, and accidental knocks.
Stand Options: A traditional guitar stand is a reliable choice for everyday use. However, attachable stands offer additional benefits:
- Portability: They can be easily attached and detached, making them convenient for gigging musicians.
- Space Efficiency: Ideal for compact spaces or small studios.
- Flexibility: Attach to different surfaces, such as music stands or mic stands, for versatile positioning.
In summary, while guitar stand manufacturers agree that the best storage for your guitar is in its case, a stand is invaluable for when your instrument is out and in use. Whether you choose a traditional stand or an attachable option, ensure it is compatible with your guitar’s finish to keep your instrument in top condition.
Blog By: Frank Smitthart, Guitar Support Expert
Last Editied 09/17/2024