Dickinson, ND musicians face one of the most demanding instrument storage climates in the country — sub-zero winters, extreme dry cold, and dramatic temperature swings that cause serious and permanent damage to unprotected instruments without proper climate-controlled storage.
Dickinson's winters combine two of the most destructive forces for musical instruments — extreme cold and extremely low humidity. Sub-zero temperatures cause wood to contract rapidly, cracking along grain lines and splitting at glue joints. The extremely dry winter air — often below 20% relative humidity — pulls moisture out of wooden instruments faster than any humidifier can replace it, causing catastrophic cracking in acoustic guitars, violins, cellos, and any other wooden instrument stored without proper humidity control. Brass and woodwind mechanisms seize in extreme cold as metals contract and lubricants thicken. Electronic components fail and display screens crack. A climate-controlled unit at Storage Unit of Dickinson is the only responsible storage environment for any instrument of value through a North Dakota winter — call (701) 690-5512 to discuss your specific needs.
Before instrument-specific tips, these universal principles are especially critical in Dickinson's extreme climate. Climate control is not optional — it is the minimum requirement for any instrument of value. Two-way humidifier packs inside cases are essential for wooden instruments — North Dakota's dry air makes localized humidity control as important as the storage environment itself. All instruments must be cleaned completely before storage — residues left in extreme cold storage cause damage that compounds over a long winter. Instruments must never be placed directly on concrete floors. When retrieving instruments from heated storage in winter, allow them to acclimate inside the case in the ambient exterior temperature gradually — bringing a cold-temperature instrument directly into a warm room causes condensation damage that ruins electronics and finish.
Acoustic guitars and stringed instruments: North Dakota's extreme dry cold makes cracking the dominant risk — wood loses moisture so rapidly in sub-zero conditions that even brief exposure without protection can be catastrophic. Use two-way humidifier packs maintaining 45-55% relative humidity inside the case. Loosen string tension significantly for long winter storage. Never store near exterior walls or vents. Consider having the instrument humidified and professionally checked before a long storage period. Electric guitars and basses: Store in hard cases in climate-controlled storage. Apply fretboard conditioner before storage to prevent drying. Remove all batteries from active electronics — batteries fail and can leak in extreme cold. Brass instruments: Disassemble completely. Clean and dry every valve, slide, and bore. Apply generous fresh valve oil and slide grease — lubricants thicken and fail in extreme cold if applied thinly. Case fully. Woodwinds: Swab every trace of moisture from bore and tone holes. Remove reeds and store in a proper reed case. Oil all keys with key oil. Apply bore oil in clarinets and oboes. Case securely in a climate-controlled unit. Keyboards and electronics: Climate-controlled storage is absolutely essential — sub-zero temperatures cause complete electronic failure, screen cracking, and battery leakage in any keyboard or electronic instrument stored in a non-climate-controlled environment through a Dickinson winter.
Beyond individual instruments, many Dickinson musicians need storage for full band setups — amplifiers, PA systems, mixing boards, microphone stands, cables, and stage equipment. A properly sized unit at Storage Unit of Dickinson accommodates full band gear setups in a climate-controlled environment that protects electronics, speakers, and hardware through even the most severe North Dakota winters. Month-to-month terms make it practical for bands at any income level and with any performance schedule.
Storage Unit of Dickinson offers clean, secure, and climate-controlled storage in Dickinson, ND — the only responsible storage environment for musical instruments through North Dakota's brutal winter seasons. Call (701) 690-5512 today to find the right unit for your instruments and band gear and protect your music investment through every Dickinson winter.