Keeping Your Guitar on the R o a d .
Your Gibson is a durable instrument. It is likely to out-
live you – if you take care of it. In determining whether conditions might be harm f u l
to your guitar, the rule of thumb is, if you are comfortable, then your guitar will be com-
f o rtable. Here are some conditions to avoid.
Heat and cold: G i b s o n ’s nitrocellulose finish can expand or contract to adjust to
e x t r eme temperatures and humidities – but not to sudden changes in temperature or
h u m i d i t y. Just as a hot drink will crack a chilled glass, the finish of a Les Paul will
crack if a guitar that has been sitting in the trunk of a car in wintertime is suddenly
exposed to the warm air of a heated room. In these conditions, let the guitar warm up
gradually inside the case before opening the case.
R a i n : Water wipes off the instru m e n t ’s finish easily, but if allowed to remain, it can
cause ugly water spots in the lacquer.
S u n : Avoid direct rays of the sun on your Gibson. Direct sunlight can blister or dis-
color the finish.
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