Musical instruments and equipment are expensive. In an ideal world, you could keep them in a controlled environment like your home or a studio and only take them out when you need them. Unfortunately, most musicians don’t live like that, so you’ll often find yourself trying to keep your equipment dry in the pouring rain as you move in and out of gig venues. What can you do to protect your instruments from water damage?

Moving in and out of venues will probably be one of the biggest problems when it comes to protecting your equipment from wet weather. No one will want to hire you if you cancel every time it looks like the sky might get a little gray. You don’t need to invest in the world’s largest umbrella, but something affordable like an oversized golf version can help save you a lot of trouble and heartache in the long run. 

We get it — playing an outdoor gig where the skies open up on you isn’t always avoidable, but if you can avoid playing in wet environments, we recommend it. For those afternoons playing in the rain, and really for all outdoor gigs, we recommend covering any electrical equipment in plastic. If you’ve got the funds, consider picking up a beater guitar that you can switch to to finish out your set. 

If lightning starts striking nearby, seek shelter. The last thing you want to do is hang out in a lightning storm with a six-string conductor in your hands.

The only thing worse than getting caught in the rain is putting your gear in the trunk, only to have old or rotten weatherstripping fail and soak everything. If you’re just starting out and working with the cheapest beater car you can find, the chances are high that the weatherstripping has started to wear out or dry rot, leaving your gear vulnerable to water damage even if you think it’s safe in the trunk or cargo hatch. Be sure to make any necessary repairs before the next rainstorm. Not only will it keep you dry, but there may be laws about leaky windshields or windows you need to follow too. 

If you get soaked, the most important thing to do is let everything dry out thoroughly. This is especially crucial if you have electrical gear. Park your equipment around a dehumidifier, towel off any visible water and wait for at least 24 hours for everything to dry out. Water, especially in electrical systems, is bad news and could cause your expensive equipment to short out and stop working entirely.

Wood, especially if it’s unsealed, is particularly vulnerable to water damage. Too much moisture can cause it to warp and crack. In an instrument like a guitar or violin, which relies heavily on its wooden shape to generate its iconic sound, this can be devastating. Sealed wood can withstand it a little better than unsealed surfaces, but if you get caught in the rain, take the time to dry everything out carefully so things don’t crack or warp. 

You can’t always avoid getting caught in the rain, especially during an outdoor gig, but you can minimize the damage by taking the time to prepare for any potential downfall.

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