Guitar Wall Hanging

Hi there. I am trying to find a spot in my house to wall- mount my guitars. Is is safe to do so above an oil-radiator, which is switched on 2 hrs per day? I have acoustic, classical, electric and archtop. Thanks for any advice.

I'd be very uncomfortable placing a guitar near any source of heat (or cold), regardless of the source. I don't even like the guitars too close to my humidifiers. Especially above the humidifiers where the fan blows the moisture up into the room. It's an extreme and those should be avoided! That's my opinion.

I suppose, if the continual fluctuation in the range of temperature isn't too extreme and there's constant and proper humidity, you would be alright, but I'm sure folks with more expertise than I, will come along soon and give you good advise.

Cheers!

I think I'd find a different spot if I could. Just to be on the safe side.

I agree, especially if it is switching on and off. I hang guitars below a ceiling duct outlet, but I have a deflector on it and it is a few feet away.

I would also rule out any exterior wall. Humidity from outside of the house will find its way inside and sit between the inside of the wall and the guitar's back.

Neal

Thanks folks! I shall obey the advice kindly given!This is a nice forum with very nice and helpful people.:smile:

Couldn't agree more. Best to avoid the situation. As someone who has personally damaged two guitars because of their proximity to baseboard heaters, I can tell you that you'll kick yourself forever.

I'm not sure if there's an issue with exterior walls where you are, Colin. Neal's warning might be unnecessary for N. Ireland climate, but again... better safe than sorry.

Before abandoning any location, though, you might want to get a hygrometer and keep an eye on the area that you're thinking of. Avoiding extremes is really important for solid wood guitars.

Colin Bell said:

Hi there. I am trying to find a spot in my house to wall- mount my guitars. Is is safe to do so above an oil-radiator, which is switched on 2 hrs per day? I have acoustic, classical, electric and archtop. Thanks for any advice.

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I think this question and answer should be contemplated over a glass or two of good Irish whiskey.

I am one that violates the "no hanging on outside walls" rule of thumb... since that was pretty much the only place I had available to hang my Guilds. Here is my setup (my most recent Guild family pic):



I actually have used a thermocouple and several hygrometers to try and measure temp/RH gradients associated with the wall... and have not really seen anything that I would consider an issue (although I do see 3-5% differences in RH around the room, with the driest spot being near the furnace duct). However, I will point out that (1) I live in UT; (2) I use a room humidifier year round, shooting for ~40% RH in the driest spot (and <45% in the most humid), and (3) most of the wall in question is below grade (just guessing, but the headstocks are probably just about grade level). There is also very little heat in the room (due to the tortuous path of the duct work, very little of the forced air actually gets to the room... temp bottoms out at about 60F in winter. I dress warm when I go down to play.). The cheap blankets (<$5 each at the import store) were put there both to negate the temp difference from the wall, and to prevent me from banging guitars against the wall.

I have had guitars hanging on that wall for at least the last 5-6 years, and have not seen any problems... no evidence of condensation or moisture on the guitars, no evidence of any cracking/warping/etc, and tuning is rock stable. The tuning may drift 5-10 cents as the seasons change (temps ~60F in winter, around ~75F in summer), but the guitars stay in tune with themselves.

I use Hercules hangers, which I really like, attached to a backer board. Initially, I had secured the backing board with a dozen toggle bolts into the sheetrock (the studs were just not conveniently located). I think that actually would have been sufficient, but I added half a dozen screws into studs (where I could find them), in response to pleadings from concerned LTGers.

I concur with the concept of finding another wall....interior preferred, and away from any area of temperature/humidity fluctuation. :apple:

Joe

GardMan said:

in response to pleadings from concerned LTGers.

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I seem to recall being one of those concerned LTGers. :apple:

Looks great, BTW,
Joe

Just_Guild said:

I think this question and answer should be contemplated over a glass or two of good Irish whiskey.

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Or a few pints of Smithwicks!

guildman63 said:

Or a few pints of Smithwicks!

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Could you define "a few" please? :apple:

Joe

killdeer43 said:

Could you define "a few" please? :apple:

Joe

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More than one, less than too many

People who have had it in the UK and USA tell me that Guinness stout is not the same beverage in both places. Is that true for Smithwicks ale as well?

Yes, it seems, when serious contemplating needs to be done, it works best when one of the following is within arms reach:

Jameson
Irish Crème
Guinness
Smithwicks

:fat:

I have studio lighting above mine (a serious heat source), but I've got a dimmer switch on the lighting and turn them on about once a year, and only when other guitar players stop by. For wall hanging, Hercules are the only way to go, and I love the swivel hangers so they may be oriented in any direction. Very surdy, secure hangers and very nitro friendly. I'd keep yours far away from any heat source. But it was very simple to do....a nice piece of spruce, route the edges, a little stain, and some serious lag bolts....nothing to it.





West

Boy that looks familiar! :triumphant:

Joe

GREAT setup, Jim!! I love the way you can angle the guitars instead of having them flat against the wall. :encouragement:

Very, Very Nice, West! I see that you should've made room for at least two more, though. :adoration: