23
Keeping Your Guitar on the Road.
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 harmful
to your guitar, the rule of thumb is, if you are comfortable, then your guitar will be com-
fortable. Here are some conditions to avoid.
Heat and cold:
Gibson's nitrocellulose finish can expand or contract to adjust to
extreme temperatures and humidities – but not to sudden changes in temperature or
humidity. 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.
Rain:
Water wipes off the instrument's finish easily, but if allowed to remain, it can
cause ugly water spots in the lacquer.
Sun:
Avoid direct rays of the sun on your Gibson. Direct sunlight can blister or dis-
color the finish.