Yes. Guitars, violins, brass, woodwind, drums, amps, PA kit and keyboards can all be stored in a unit, and a good case does most of the protecting. Our units aren’t heated or climate-controlled, so a little preparation makes all the difference, and for a fine or irreplaceable instrument we’d suggest a quick call first.
Guitars
Keep each guitar in its case, ideally a hard case, standing upright rather than lying in a pile. Ease the strings down a half step or two, but leave some tension on, because slack strings can let the neck bow. Take off any tremolo arm. When you book, ask for an indoor unit away from the building’s outside walls, where conditions change least.
Solid-wood acoustic and classical guitars dislike drying out, which can crack the top or lift the bridge. A two-way humidity pack in the case, which adds or absorbs moisture as needed, keeps the air around the guitar steady. Packs last a few months, so swap them on a visit during a longer stay.
Violins, cellos and other bowed strings
Put the instrument back in its case and keep it away from outside walls and direct light. Bowed strings are sensitive to changes in humidity over time, so ask your luthier or the shop that sold it which case and humidity pack they’d recommend for a long stay.
Brass and woodwind
Drain and dry slides and bodies before casing them, because moisture left inside can corrode brass. Swab out woodwind. A wooden clarinet can crack with sudden changes, so let it come up to room temperature before you play it. Valve oil, key oil and spray cleaners stay at home, as nothing flammable can be stored.
Drums, amps and keyboards
Wipe drums and hardware down and clean cymbals before they go in, then keep shells in cases or bags, off the floor. Take batteries out of keyboards and pedals so they can’t leak, and leave power banks and portable chargers at home. Our units have no power, so test kit before you store it.
Bands and working musicians
Storing your backline between gigs is easy: access is normally 6am to 10pm, seven days a week, and you can share access with bandmates. The unit is for storage, so rehearsals need a practice room. We also offer business storage for teachers and hire companies.
Keeping it protected
Our sites are watched around the clock by a professional CCTV monitoring company, and every unit has its own alarm. Everything you store is covered by our contents protection or your own insurance, at what it would cost to replace. Our cover is there for events such as fire, a burst pipe or a break-in, rather than gradual changes in the air, which is why the case and humidity pack matter.
For a valuable or much-loved instrument, call us first on 0800 2545585 and we’ll help you choose the right unit. Otherwise, get a price online.
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