What is the lowest accept temp to expose a Larrivee to?

[teachingking]

So I'm going camping this weekend and the low temperature at night is supposed to be in the upper 40's.  Is this too cold to expose a Larrivee to?  I have thought about bringing a sleeping bag for the D-03 and keeping it in the tent with me as it should be warmer in there due to body temp. 

[DrLeeDetroit]

I've played guitars in those temperatures, but not for the length of time you're probably talking about.

My guess (and it is only that!) is that IF you do not approach freezing, and IF the temperature changes (on the way down and on the way back up) are gradual, you might be OK. But having said that, I now already don't believe myself -- I somehow feel like giving a 45 degree guitar a good vigorous strum isn't the best idea in the world...

So I'm of no help, but as long as I hit this many keys I'm going to post it anyway...

--Lee

[imwjl]

So I'm going camping this weekend and the low temperature at night is supposed to be in the upper 40's.  Is this too cold to expose a Larrivee to?  I have thought about bringing a sleeping bag for the D-03 and keeping it in the tent with me as it should be warmer in there due to body temp. 

I don't think a sleeping bag will warm it if you're not in the bag with it, and I'm not sure you or the guitar would want to be sleeping with each other. I'll assume car camping if you're bringing a dreadnought. The car might have more consistent humidity and temperature than your tent.

Good luck.

[jwdecour]

I would get a beater guitar to take.  The Larrivee is too nice to risk what might happen. 
Good luck with your trip.

[Cowgirlie]

I have flown in and out of Kalispel MT in February, on commuter flights, and had to gate check my Larrivee...that means it went in the cargo hold from Seattle to Kalispel, and of course, I let it warm up before I opened the case, but no problems.
I had an outdoor gig last October in Brtanson, and it was in the 30s to low 40s...kept my Larrivee in the case backstage beytween shows, but with the case open to keep the temp consistant....and never took it into the heated dressing room, seemed like too big a risk to have a temp change. Never went out of tune,amnd had no problems. Not ideal guitar conditions by any means, but when you have a magical guitar....

[Pjmsj21]

My understanding is that it is not a particular low temperature (excluding high temperatures which can soften glue) but more rapid changes in temperature than can cause damage due to the expansion and contraction of the wood.

Pat Mc 

[canoe65]

My understanding is that it is not a particular low temperature (excluding high temperatures which can soften glue) but more rapid changes in temperature than can cause damage due to the expansion and contraction of the wood.

You might want to consider whether you have a satin or a gloss finish.  Rapid and/or extreme temperature changes might cause the gloss finish to 'check' (i.e., little surface cracks), which at the least is unsightly.

Also, I'm not sure if extreme changes might cause the soundboard to crack.  In both temperature extremes humidity (or lack of it) may also be a problem over a period of time.

I've got a Martin Backpacker as a travel guitar (camping and hiking), to address both weather and weight issues.

[teachingking]

Thank you all for the replies.  I decided not to risk it.  I have a couple of beater guitars and decided to take one of them instead.

[Cowgirlie]

Like the others say, it's not the temp, it's the rapid changes...as long as you don't open a cold case in a warm room, you're fine....and as long as you are not the sort to lean your guitar on a log by the fire 
it would not be a problem. But you have to do what you think is best in the end! Have fun.