TAXI.com

In a previous thread about micing acoustic guitar I said I've been using one of these with no damage to the finish of the guitar.

http://federalaudio.com.au/products/exp ... hone-mount

Well, after leaving it affixed to one guitar for around a month quite securely tightened I discovered indentations in the guitars finish.

The clamp has a type of rubber O ring that is narrow and this caused the indentation.

I can live with a bit of wear and tear on an instrument but I'm going to modify it by cutting some circles of neoprene to insert between clamp and guitar.

Aside from that it's holds a small diaphragm condenser in place very well.

A couple of cheap mouse pads should put you right, then, but thanks for the cautionary tale. I tend to steer clear of leaving even so much as a clip-on tuner attached to any valuable instruments in my care, cuz lacquer finishes are meant to breathe, and even urethane finishes can lift up, if there's condensation. In the days of celluloid pickguards/parts, you could ruin a finish by leaving an instrument in its case too long, go figure, so I try not to keep axes around that aren't in use. The studio's staples are hung in Y cradles at strategic locations and so far, the foam rubber/rubber/neoprene-same stuff that's covering most neck-hold guitar/mando/banjo/bass stands, has worked ok; no mars or dings.

A couple of cheap mouse pads should put you right, then, but thanks for the cautionary tale. I tend to steer clear of leaving even so much as a clip-on tuner attached to any valuable instruments in my care, cuz lacquer finishes are meant to breathe, and even urethane finishes can lift up, if there's condensation.

Any guitar that you borrow, mind, rent or own is "in your care" and I guess I let this one down a little bit.

The neoprene I used is from a mouse pad that I sit on my knee under the guitar when I'm recording. It stops it making unwanted sliding noises.

The rings I cut for the clamp sit in the clamp permanently and look like they'll do the job.


I have a story regarding CONDENSATION.

A few years ago I was in the high country [about 1000 meters above sea level} sleeping in my station wagon in readiness to do some early morning trout fishing. The overnight temp got down to about minus 9 or 10. My sleeping bag was rated to about minus 3 and I froze all night. In the morning my drinking water bottle in the car was 90% frozen and there were icicles on the ceiling in the car. Some Canadians might be used to this type of thing but I wasn't.
I had my "bush" guitar with me and after the sun came up it was quite warm and shining into the car onto the guitar. When I opened the case as soon as I noticed this, the top of the guitar was covered with pools of water!!

I got it in time luckily with no ill effects.
Moral of the story... be wary of sudden temperature changes.

I know an instrument maker who has a white guitar case, great idea I reckon.

If you're brave, I hear tell you can somewhat alleviate finish indentations with a hair dryer, but you should probably consult a qualified luthier, before attempting such.