Road Trip!
Summer’s coming and it’s a great time to hit the road with your guitar. It’s important to make sure that your “buddy” is comfortable and safe. The two fiercest natural enemies of the guitar are extremes in temperature and humidity. As we know, summertime brings a lot of each. It’s ill advised to just toss your guitar in the car (and never in the trunk!) before you hit the road. Always be sure to protect your guitar in a case, or at the very least, a “gig bag.”
Here’s a quick rundown on your options when it comes to ensuring the protection of your guitar:
Gig bags are lightweight, foldable and store easily when not in use. They’re most used for travelling shorter distances as well as for when you need something quick on the go. Most of them have both a carrying handle and straps so that you can throw them over your shoulders and free your hands to carry other items. The better ones offer plentiful padding for increased protection.
Hardshell cases offer even greater protection but are both bulkier and heavier. They are usually constructed using either plywood or high impact plastic. They can be beneficial if you are travelling with a band or are packing a lot of equipment together since you can stack things on top and not have to worry about your gear getting crushed. If you are flying with your guitar, a great choice is a hard case with TSA locks.
If you’re looking for the best of both worlds, check out the TRIC* case. With the same protection of a hardshell case and the lightweight portability of a gig bag, the TRIC case is the ideal choice when it comes to protecting your guitar. This hybrid case also has the added benefit of being thermally regulated to withstand extreme climate conditions. Sleep easy knowing your gear is protected when you opt for the TRIC.
Now that we have blown over your options for guitar armor, here’s a tip for added protection:
When you do go inside, take your guitar with you. Never leave your guitar in a parked car! The heat that builds up in a parked car also proves dangerous for the survival of your guitar. Keep it extra safe once you reach your destination by keeping your guitar in its case and allow it 15-30 minutes to adjust to the room’s temperature. This will prevent the finish from “checking” or worse yet, your instrument cracking or warping.
* TRIC stands for: Thermally Regulated Insulated Case with Godin Guitars logo.
“Thermally Regulated Instrument Case.” Drastic changes in climate and temperature can wreak havoc on a guitar and the TRIC case offers protection like never before against the elements. Proving that the TRIC case can withstand extreme temperature conditions, the case is temperature tested to –35C (-31F) and up to +65C (+150F). The TRIC is also made of Expanded Polypropylene, which is the same shock absorbent, high-tech material used by the automotive industry in bumper cores and bicycle helmets. Meaning that impact-resistant material entrusted to save the human head is now available for your acoustic guitar.
For more info on the TRIC case, visit the official website by clicking here.
