How To Install A Guitar Hanger: A Step-By-Step Guide?

Installing a guitar hanger is a fantastic way to save space, keep your instruments safe, and showcase your beautiful guitars in a rock ‘n’ roll style, brought to you by guitarplayers.net. This guide will walk you through the process of how to put up a guitar hanger correctly, ensuring your guitar is safe and sound. With the right tools and techniques, you can transform any room into a stylish guitar display space. Let’s dive into creating a guitar wall that’s both functional and visually appealing, focusing on the best guitar storage solutions and DIY guitar hanger installations for all guitar enthusiasts.

1. Gathering Your Supplies: The Essential Tools

Before you start, make sure you have all the necessary tools and materials. This will make the process smoother and more efficient.

Wall Hanger: Choose a high-quality guitar wall mount from a reputable manufacturer.
Mounting Screws and Plugs: These should be appropriate for the type of wall you have.
Tape Measure: Essential for accurate measurements.
Spirit Level: To ensure your hanger is perfectly level.
Pencil: For marking drill points.
Hammer Drill: Necessary for drilling into masonry walls.
Hammer: For gently tapping in wall plugs.
Screwdriver: To securely fasten the hanger to the wall.

2. Choosing the Right Guitar Hanger

Selecting the right guitar hanger is crucial for the safety of your instrument. A reliable hanger ensures that your guitar remains secure and undamaged.

Why Hercules GSP38WB Plus?

The Hercules GSP38WB Plus is a popular choice for several reasons:

Reputable Brand: Hercules is known for producing high-quality and durable products.
Auto Grip System (AGS): This system automatically grips and locks the neck of the guitar into the hanger when you place it, preventing accidental slips.
NINA (Narrow Instrument Neck Adjustment): Includes rubber inserts, allowing you to use the hanger for instruments like mandolins and banjos.
Secure Mounting: Available with a two-screw wood block or a three-screw metal backplate for added stability.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Hanger:

Weight Capacity: Ensure the hanger can support the weight of your guitar.
Material Quality: Look for hangers made from durable materials like steel or reinforced plastic.
Padding: The hanger should have padding to protect the guitar’s finish.
Locking Mechanism: Consider hangers with a locking mechanism for added security, especially if you have children or pets.

3. Selecting the Right Wall Type

Choosing the correct wall is paramount to ensure the stability and safety of your hanging guitar. The type of wall you have will determine the mounting method and hardware you need.

Solid Masonry Wall

A solid masonry wall is the most straightforward and reliable option.

How to Identify: Tap the wall firmly. A solid sound indicates a masonry wall. Hollow sounds suggest plasterboard or drywall.
Best For: Modern brick or cinderblock houses, typically external walls.

Plasterboard/Drywall

Hanging guitars on plasterboard or drywall is possible, but requires extra care and the right hardware.

Hollow Wall Anchors: These are designed to hold heavy objects on drywall. Visit your local hardware store for options.
Weight Considerations: Hollow wall anchors are often designed to hold flat-screen TVs, making them suitable for guitars, but always double-check the weight capacity.
Bolt Size: Ensure the bolts for the anchors are small enough to fit through the holes in your hanger.

Wooden Wall Stud

Drilling directly into a wooden wall stud is another option for plasterboard walls.

Wall Scanner: Use a wall scanner to locate the studs. This tool also helps ensure there are no pipes or wiring behind the wall.
Safety: Always use a wall scanner before drilling into plasterboard to avoid damaging pipes or electrical wiring.

4. Preparing for Installation

Proper preparation is key to a successful and secure installation. This involves measuring, marking, and ensuring the area is safe.

Measuring and Marking

Guitar Clearance: Place your guitar face down on a soft surface. Hook the hanger around the headstock.
Measure Distance: Measure from the top of the mounting block to the bottom of the guitar. This determines the minimum clearance needed on your wall.
Mark Position: Place the hanger on the wall where you want it. Mark the top of the mounting block with a pencil.
Clearance Check: Measure the distance from the mark down the wall to ensure nothing obstructs the guitar. Watch out for furniture, moldings, and plug sockets.

Safety Check

Wall Scanner: Use a wall scanner to ensure there are no pipes or wiring behind the wall. This is especially important for interior walls.
Exterior Walls: While less likely, it’s still wise to check exterior walls for any hidden hazards.

5. Drilling the Holes

With the preparation complete, it’s time to drill the holes for mounting the hanger.

Tools Required

Hammer Drill: Essential for drilling into masonry walls. An electric screwdriver will not suffice.
Drill Bits: Use the appropriate drill bits for the type of wall you are drilling into.

Drilling Process

Mark Screw Holes: Place the hanger on the wall, using a spirit level to ensure it’s level. Mark the top, bottom, and screw hole locations with a pencil.
Select Drill Bit: Choose a drill bit that matches the width of your wall plugs.
Drill Holes: Drill the holes to the depth of the wall plugs.
Insert Wall Plugs: Gently tap the plugs into the holes with a hammer. If they are difficult to insert, re-drill the hole with a slightly larger bit.

6. Mounting the Guitar Hanger

With the holes drilled and plugs in place, you can now mount the guitar hanger securely to the wall.

Securing the Hanger

Position Hanger: Place the hanger on the wall, aligning it with the drilled holes.
Insert Screws: Carefully screw the screws through the hanger and into the wall plugs.
Tighten Screws: Tighten the screws until the hanger block is flush and tight against the wall.
Test Stability: Gently tug the hanger downwards to ensure the screws and plugs are holding firmly.

7. The Moment of Truth: Testing the Hanger

The final step is to test the hanger with your guitar. This will ensure that the installation is secure and your guitar is safe.

Testing the Installation

Place Guitar: Take one of your guitars and carefully place it onto the hanger.
Step Back: Take a step back and observe. The guitar should hang securely in place.
Observe: Leave the guitar for a few minutes to ensure the hanger remains stable.
Remove Guitar: Remove the guitar and inspect the hanger to ensure it hasn’t moved or come away from the wall.

8. Additional Tips and Considerations

To ensure the longevity and safety of your hanging guitars, consider these additional tips and precautions.

Truss Rod Issues

Potential Problems: Some players have reported truss rod issues with guitars left on the wall for extended periods.
Solution: Rotate the guitars on your wall periodically. Keep your frequently used guitar on a stand.

Security Measures

AGS Lock: If you use a Hercules hanger, consider purchasing the AGS Lock. This attachment fully locks the guitar in place, preventing accidental removal.
Child and Pet Safety: This is particularly useful if you have children or pets.

Professional Help

DIY Skills: If you are unsure about any part of the installation process, seek professional help.
Risk Assessment: It’s not worth risking your favorite guitar if your DIY skills aren’t up to par.

9. Benefits of Hanging Your Guitars

Hanging your guitars offers several advantages that make it a worthwhile endeavor for any guitar enthusiast.

Space Saving

Floor Space: Frees up valuable floor space by utilizing wall space.
Clutter Reduction: Reduces clutter and creates a cleaner, more organized environment.

Safety

Accidental Knocking: Keeps guitars safe from accidental knocks and falls.
Protection: Provides a secure and stable storage solution.

Display

Aesthetic Appeal: Showcases your guitars as works of art.
Rock ‘n’ Roll Vibe: Adds a touch of rock ‘n’ roll style to your room.

10. Exploring Guitarplayers.net for More Resources

For more guides, lessons, and resources, be sure to visit guitarplayers.net. Our website offers a wealth of information for guitar enthusiasts of all levels.

What You Can Find on Guitarplayers.net

Guitar Lessons: From beginner basics to advanced techniques, we have lessons for every skill level.
Guitar Reviews: In-depth reviews and comparisons of various guitar models and accessories.
Guitar Tabs and Sheet Music: A vast collection of tabs and sheet music for your favorite songs.
Guitar Community: Join our forum to connect with other guitar players, share tips, and ask questions.

Common Questions About Installing Guitar Hangers

1. What is the best height to hang a guitar hanger?

The ideal height to hang a guitar hanger is typically between 4 to 6 feet from the floor to the top of the guitar’s headstock. This height allows easy access while keeping the instrument safely out of reach of children and pets. Adjust the height based on the guitar’s size and your personal preference.

2. Can I hang my guitar on drywall?

Yes, you can hang your guitar on drywall, but it requires using appropriate anchors. Hollow wall anchors or toggle bolts are designed to provide a secure hold in drywall. Ensure the anchors you choose are rated to hold the weight of your guitar. For added security, consider mounting the hanger directly into a wall stud.

3. What tools do I need to install a guitar hanger?

To install a guitar hanger, you will need:

A wall hanger
Mounting screws and plugs
A tape measure
A spirit level
A pencil
A hammer drill (for masonry walls)
A hammer
A screwdriver

4. How do I find a stud in my wall?

You can find a stud in your wall using a stud finder, which is an electronic device that detects changes in density behind the wall. Alternatively, you can try tapping along the wall; a solid sound usually indicates a stud. Once you think you’ve found a stud, you can confirm its location by driving a small nail into the wall.

5. Are guitar wall hangers safe for my guitar?

Yes, guitar wall hangers are generally safe for your guitar, provided they are installed correctly and you use a quality hanger. Ensure the hanger has padding to protect the guitar’s finish, and periodically check the hanger’s stability. Avoid hanging guitars in areas with high humidity or temperature fluctuations.

6. What type of guitar hanger should I use for my guitar?

The type of guitar hanger you should use depends on your guitar and your wall type. For acoustic guitars and electric guitars, a standard yoke-style hanger works well. For classical guitars, which have wider necks, ensure the hanger’s yoke is wide enough. If you have a valuable or delicate guitar, consider a hanger with a locking mechanism.

7. How do I prevent my guitar from falling off the hanger?

To prevent your guitar from falling off the hanger:

Use a high-quality hanger with a secure grip system.
Ensure the hanger is properly mounted and can support the guitar’s weight.
Consider a hanger with a locking mechanism.
Avoid bumping or hitting the guitar while it is hanging.

8. Can hanging a guitar on the wall damage it?

Hanging a guitar on the wall is unlikely to damage it if done correctly. However, some players have reported truss rod issues with guitars left on the wall for extended periods. To mitigate this, rotate the guitars on your wall periodically and keep your frequently used guitar on a stand. Also, avoid hanging guitars in areas with high humidity or temperature fluctuations.

9. How do I choose the right mounting screws and plugs for my wall?

Choosing the right mounting screws and plugs depends on the type of wall you have. For solid masonry walls, use masonry screws and plugs. For drywall, use hollow wall anchors or toggle bolts. Ensure the screws and plugs are rated to hold the weight of your guitar. When in doubt, consult with a hardware store professional.

10. What should I do if the wall plugs are too loose?

If the wall plugs are too loose, try using larger plugs or applying a small amount of wood glue to the inside of the hole before inserting the plugs. Allow the glue to dry completely before mounting the hanger. If the hole is too large, you may need to drill a new hole in a different location.

Installing a guitar hanger is a simple yet effective way to showcase your instruments while saving space. By following these steps and taking the necessary precautions, you can create a stylish and functional guitar display. Remember to visit guitarplayers.net for more resources, lessons, and community support. Transform your space into a guitar haven today.

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