For many guitar owners, a stand is a convenient way to keep their instrument accessible and on display. However, not all stands are created equal, and some could potentially harm your guitar, especially if it has a nitrocellulose lacquer finish.
My Experience with Guitar Stand Damage
I have an acoustic guitar that I’ve played for years, primarily around the house and during lessons. For convenience, I used to leave it out on a stand. This seemed reasonable until I started noticing marks on the guitar, particularly on the front where the stand’s padding contacted the instrument.
Despite my best efforts, I couldn’t clean off these marks. Concerned, I reached out to the manufacturer of the stand and received an eye-opening response: “No colored stand is safe to use with nitro lacquer finish due to the risk of color transfer.” My stand, by the way, is black.
The Myth of Safe Stands
I had previously been assured that the stand was safe and would not leave marks on my guitar. This misconception is widespread, and some manufacturers’ literature can be misleading it’s important to know that nitrocellulose lacquer finishes are particularly susceptible to damage from prolonged contact with a guitar stand.
Protecting Your Guitar
The lesson here is clear: if you have a valuable guitar with a nitro lacquer finish, avoid leaving it on a stand for extended periods. Even stands labeled as “safe” can sometimes cause damage. While the only truly safe stands are translucent as they contain no added colour, these are unfortunately not common. To protect your instrument, consider storing it in its case when not in use.
Conclusion
A little awareness can go a long way in preserving the beauty and value of your guitar. Take care with how you store it, and be mindful of the materials that come into contact with its finish. Your guitar will thank you!
