How does the weather affect your gear?
That is a great question and one I have wondered often about, especially with outdoor gigs in the Fall. Performing indoors does involve some temperature swings, but not like outdoor events, which can involve a variety of conditions. Let’s talk about it.
First off what type of gear does a musician or band typically use at a gig. An electric powered sound system or PA with speakers will be required. Microphones and cables for vocals and instrument amplification. How about instruments? Probably either acoustic and or electric solid body guitars including bass and rhythm/lead. A drum set complete with cymbals. Maybe some brass instruments like a trumpet or saxophone.
So how would a sound system handle temperature swings? I looked up my JBL PRX ONE, which has a built in amplifier and speaker column. It has a published operating temperature range of 14F to 113F. I have personally used it at close to 100F and down to 56F and it worked fine.
So the sound system takes a lot of temperature variation, how about the microphone and cables that connect to it? I have a Shure Beta 58A microphone and did not find a specification on operating temperature range. However, I did find the rating on a Shure PGXD wireless microphone system, which was rated from 0F to 122F. I suspect the electronics are the limiting factor. I looked up the rating on Mogami microphone cables and found they are rated at an operating temperature from -4F to 158F.
I have a Martin HD28 acoustic guitar and I looked up the general temperature ratings for acoustic guitars and they recommend maintaining the guitar between 72F and 77F and a humidity between 45% to 55%. That’s pretty tight. I’m not sure that it’s even possible to maintain in any environment. It would be interesting to know how many Martin guitar owners follow this recommendation. I also own a Fender Stratocaster solid body electric guitar and Fender’s recommendation is an ideal operating temperature of 66F to 77F and a humidity of 40% to 50%. I have also seen bands perform in conditions above and below these ratings. I think avoiding rapid temperature swings is probably the most important to prevent issues with the finish checking.
I don’t own any brass instruments, but I checked on Yamaha brand saxophones and they say a normal storage temperature range is 66F to 69F. They also say that extreme temperatures can cause condensation within the saxophone, but don’t explain what extreme temperatures are. They also note you can warm the saxophone up by blowing through it and warming the body of the instrument with your hands.
In general, it seems most equipment has a wide operating temperature range, but musical instruments, not so much. My take away is to use caution anytime you are performing in environments that greatly exceed normal room temperature. Avoid rapid temperature changes and keep your instrument out of direct sunlight if at all possible to minimize heating. Have a musical day my friends.