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Better Protect your Musical Instruments using Black Tarps

Many musicians would like to better protect their musical instruments from the elements. In this article, we provide some ideas for better protecting your prized instruments from the elements.

Musical instruments are well known to appreciate in value, and are often the source of much happiness when kept passed down to family members.  That said, it’s vital to keep your instrument instruments with the not only a case, but also the added protection of a tarp covering.

While most musicians know how to care for their instruments for daily use, some fall short when it comes to the storage of their instruments.  Many instruments often end up being stored in locations like basements, closets, garages, storage lockers, warehouses, vehicles, sheds and even barns. This frequently occurs when there might not be enough room in a musician’s apartment for a guitar, amplifier, drum set, wind instrument etc., or in the case where the instruments are quite large, such as grand pianos, harps and other such instruments. While many opt for a solution they think is a “safe” place for storing instruments over long periods of time, things do happen.  Roofs can leak, vermin can chew on and gain entry to a case, water can penetrate a case, or a thief may quickly scurry though a room and identify your valuable instrument.  In all of these cases, the use of Black Tarps as a protective covering can help protect and mitigate your risks of loss.

Prepare your Instruments for Storage

It’s not enough to just put an instrument away in its case and forget about the extra work that may be needed to store the items for a long time. Check to make sure that where you keep your instrument doesn’t put it at risk of being crushed or tripped over, which could kill it. Even if the instrument was held in a strong case, it could still be broken. If you only play the instrument occasionally, you should be OK with an issue that is light and easy to carry.

When putting things away for a long time, you will need a container that will last. It keeps dirt, dust, insects, and UV rays from entering the instrument. It is common to line instrument cases with soft velvet to protect them from damage. With enough use and time, this coating could hurt an instrument. One way to stop the damage that could happen is to use tissue that is resistant to acid.  Keep in mind, your black tarp can be used to hide more significant pieces of equipment. Not only will it prevent dust from getting in, but also mitigates scratches to your cases and/or any further damages to your valued instruments.

Storing Woodwind and String instruments

Before putting things away, it is essential to clean them thoroughly and vacuum them. Instead of using household cleaners that could be dangerous, you should use the appropriate tools to clean instruments. This will prevent you from injuring your joints. One way to prevent the pads from getting sticky is to put tissue paper between woodwind instruments.

This will prevent the pads from sticking together. You can pick up rags at music stores to use for wiping down your instruments and other pieces of gear. If an item is stored away for an extended period, its strings should be loosened. The line and the neck will maintain their integrity if you do it this way.  Use your black tarp to wrap and protect cases, or in the instance where no case exists, consider using two layers of protection.

Storing of Pianos, Drums and other Large Instruments

Drum skins won’t stretch if they haven’t been loosened up first. The tension of a piano string can take being hit repeatedly without breaking. The legs, pedals, and bench of the piano should all be well padded, both for comfort and safety. By placing a black tarp over your instruments, dust won’t be able to build up. Consider this. Even the tension of a piano string can take being hit repeatedly without breaking, though wear and tear can have a negative impact.  Wrap each piece or instrument with a black tarp individually, and use bungee cords or zip ties to ensure tight fit.

Storage for your Instruments for Travel

Instruments should always be kept safe, both when they are not being used and when they are being moved. Invest in a case to protect the instruments in your collection that you can carry around. It would be best to buy a case that fits your instrument well to protect it from bumps and jolts. You should keep looking if you can move the case in any direction without it breaking. Even if it is in a hard case, your instrument could get damaged if you move it around too much.  Be sure to use your black tarp to help obscure your instrument and make it less noticeable for theft too.

Conclusion

Even if your instrument is in a hard case, it could get damaged if you move it around too much.  So, be sure to use black tarps to reduce the risk of loss. When moving heavier instruments, it might be easier to use a soft case. Gig bags are mild cases with padding. Polyester and nylon are the materials most often used to make them. Straps and compartments are two common parts of soft luggage. Get a waterproof bag for yourself, no matter what. Before vacation, you find a safe place to store your musical instruments. Some instruments can be broken from being dropped, jostled, or slammed into.

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