The “Shoshin” Approach: “There is a unique kind of ‘beginner’s joy’ in rediscovering your own instruments after a long winter storage.”
This is fun. Winter is breaking in Chicago and the Cubs played their first ball game yesterday (and lost).
So early Spring means taking my best guitars out of their hard cases and soft cases.
Today I am unboxing my Ibanez V70CE-BK out of its hard case. It’s nice to see it once again. Let’s take a look at how it survived the winter.
My Cheap One Dollar Guitar Case Humidifier Worked
Upon opening the case, the guitar temp/humidity gauge was at 61 degrees and relative humidity of 41. Certainly acceptable for an acoustic guitar.
My $1.00 (One Dollar) Guitar Case Humidifier worked just fine.
Ibanez V70CE-BK Condition
- Appearance Check: Looks fine. No finish cracks during storage.
- Neck Straight? Seems fine.
- Fritz Ruler (12th Fret): Action is low and comfortable for both low E and high E strings. (My tech lowered this in 12 minutes last October!)
- Play Test: No buzzing on the low E or A strings.
- Electronics: Sounding glorious and bass-heavy through the Roland Cube GX40.
Tune It Up
After a quick stretch and tune, the Ibanez V70CE felt like it never left my hands. I re-checked the string height with my Fritz Ruler just to be sure, and the 12th fret action remains exactly where my tech set it last October.
The Verdict: No buzzing, no finish cracks, and a deep, resonant bass response through my Roland Cube GX40. It was time to see how she handled my original tracks.
Note: I forgot to remove the battery during storage. I should have done that. Batteries in old cameras can begin to leak acid. Probably the same for a guitar but not over several months.
What Songs Did I use to Test my Ibanez V70CE Acoustic Electric?
- Ride the Mule – My Go to Song for testing the balance of any acoustic guitar. Ride the Mule is the first song that I ever wrote. It uses three lower power chords and it allows me to hear how the bass notes sound on an acoustic guitar.
- The Song and Voice Begins at the 2 1/2 minute.
- Yes, Yes, Just Say Yes – This may be my best song so far. It’s a fair test of an acoustic guitar.
- Broken Mirror – My third song. Similar in tonality to my 2nd song.
I Will Add More “Welcome to Spring” Updates on my Other Guitars
- Yamaha FG 160. 50 years old, currently in its original case.
- Jet JS300. Currently in its original box waiting for Spring.
- Jet JS400. Currently in its original box waiting for Spring.
- 2011 Squier Classic Vibe 60’s Telecaster Custom. Long name for my best electric guitar. I look forward to uncasing it from its Winter storage.
Hurray, Spring Has Come to Shoshin Guitarist and My Boxed and Cased Guitars
Like I said, the Chicago Cubs lost their opening day game yesterday.
But for me, Spring means unboxing and uncasing my guitars in winter storage. Hurray.
About the Author of this Post and This Blog
Richard Kraneis is the creator of Shoshin Guitarist
, where he documents his journey of “Learning in Public.” Embracing the Shoshin (Beginner’s Mind) philosophy, Richard shares the honest ups and downs of mastering the guitar and bass, from technical gear maintenance in his Chicago studio to the soul of songwriting. Whether he’s uncasing a vintage Yamaha or troubleshooting a 9V battery, he believes there is always something new to discover if you keep a fresh perspective.