Resting a mandolin against a wall

[dirtysandals83]

I had a friend that wouldn't lean his guitar against the wall with the strings facing out because he claimed that it would warp the neck. Is there any truth to this and, if so, is it equally as bad for a mandolin?

[David Hanson]

I think it would take a period of years to cause a curve to appear, but it would surely happen eventually, this used to happen with cane fishing rods, and even fibre glass over a long period of time.

Dave H

[Ray(T)]

An oft asked question! The main problem with resting any instrument against a wall is that its likely to get kicked over. As to warping the neck, you need to compare the "warping" tension exerted by the strings with the additional tension exerted by the weight of the leaning guitar - the latter will be minimal in comparison. If you're worried, buy a stand.
Ray

[Bertram Henze]

I'd worry about the tuners and headstock tip getting scratched against whatever the wall is made of, rather than about the neck. Like Ray wrote, get a stand for your instrument - this is the second best solution next to keeping it in it's case.

Bertram

[AlanN]

I don't rest a mandolin or guitar against a wall, just seems like a bad thing to do. Actually, if the mandolin is not in the case or stand or in my hands, I place it face down on a table.

[Hans]

Absolutely Alan, resting on the strings, back up on a table. I don't even like stands...they get knocked over.

[mandopete]

What is the advantage to laying the mandolin face-down?

[Tim2723]

Yeah. I'm asking the same question. Why strings down? It seems to me that any force on the back of the mando would send the bridge into the wood.

[250sc]

Buy a stand. Resting the instument against the wall won't warp the neck but a small bump will send it falling.

I think the advantage of putting your mandolin on a table with the strings down would be done to prevent scratchs to the fining on the back. (Strings don't scratch easily)

[hungry mountain boy]

I do the face down strings on the table thing. No one told me to, it just seemed more stable, and it would keep the neck in a straight line. On its back its unstable and seems like it would put presser on the neck uneavanly and
thus could warp it. My guess. Glenn

[fiddle5]

Stands, wall hooks, and instrument cases are the only places I keep my instruments. If its not in one of those places, its because I'm playing it. I have spare music stands through out the house for when company comes over. There is no excuse for a damadged instrument at my place.

As for warped neck, never heard of that problem, just damadge from falls.

[hungry mountain boy]

Mine is never on a table more than five or ten minutes at a time. I usually put in an open case when playing on a stage. At home or at the jam, if I temporarily put it down, face down on a table is how I do it. Glenn

[Salty Dog]

Mandolins are small and sit low to the floor on stands - horror stories abound of them being stepped on, sat on, kicked accidentally, and dumped from unlatched cases. #My rule is that my mandolins are safe when they are strapped to my body or in a latched case - otherwise they are in harm's way and harm will eventually come.

[Tim2723]

Yeah. #Many guitar stands are not suitable for mandolins as the yoke that cradles the body is too wide and the endpin hits the floor. #Hamilton makes a nice one that holds the mando under the headstock and rests the body against two padded legs. #The mando can be raised up higher.

I only use stands when on a break and when there's enough room on the stage and no one else can get to it. #Otherwise it's in the case. #I sling it behind my back when I'm doubling on whistle or flute. #Sometimes I have it slung behind me while playing banjo with a tin whistle tucked under my arm for the solo. #Boy do I look like nerd! #Now if I could only get a pair of cymbals to strap between my knees and a harmonica in one of those things that goes around your neck I could be a real geek act!

[Timbofood]

At home...anyplace where it won't get kicked, or knocked into the middle of next week. on stage...CASE!

[AlanN]

#on stage...CASE!
You bet.

I saw a band once, had all their high dollar instruments lined up (as though for a photo shoot) on the floor on stands. I thought it was silly (and asking for trouble).

[Santiago]

I don't put it down unless I have the case hady. At home, I prop it up on the back of the couch, and people know not to sit there.

[earthsave]

I prop my cheapo against the wall with strings facing the wall. It sticks to the wall better thataway. With the strings facing out, the point wants to slide.

I never prop, lay on a table, or even a stand my main mando. It goes back in the case, with the lid closed and at least one latch secured. Too easy to kick, step on, sit on, or just bump and knock over otherwise.

[8ch(pl)]

When I am playing in church, I hang mine over the music stand by it's strap. That way it is in plain sight so it won't be kicked or stepped on by someone mounting the platform. We play a few songs, then sit , play, then sit for the message . Then we play the closing.

[kww]

The table technique isn't safe outdoors. I laid mine down on a table, and had the joy of watching a gust of wind pick up my mandolin and fly it about three meters. Very lucky that it didn't suffer serious damage.

[Mattg]

I hang mine music store style on the wall with the guitars, fiddle etc. Always handy for a pick. The only time they get put in a case is when we go visit other instruments to play. I probably play a mando 15 times on a weekend. A few minutes or an hour. If they are in a case, I wouldn't play as much.

By the way, the mando has about 180# of tension. Leaning it up against anything ain't going to cause it to warp.