Guitar hangers for professionals - A Guide for Touring, Recording, and Theatre Players

Professional musicians—whether they’re touring artists, session players, or theatre pit performers—rely on their instruments not only for performance but also as essential tools of their trade. These instruments are often expensive, uniquely configured, and personally significant, making their safe storage a top priority.

But how do professional musicians actually store their guitars when they’re not on stage or in the studio? The answer varies depending on the number of instruments they own, how frequently they travel, and whether their guitars are used for live performance, recording, or both.

Photo by Sam Moghadam on Unsplash

In this article, we explore the types of guitars professional musicians use, how many instruments they typically own, and the best ways to store them—whether it’s one guitar or a whole collection.

What Types of Guitars Do Professional Musicians Use?

Professional musicians often work with a variety of guitars to suit different musical contexts. These may include:

• Electric Guitars – Stratocasters, Les Pauls, hollow-bodies, baritone guitars, and 7-strings for genre-specific tones.
• Acoustic Guitars – Dreadnoughts, OM-size, jumbo, or parlour styles, often with pickup systems for live use.
• Classical Guitars – Favoured by theatre musicians or artists playing nylon-string arrangements.
• Specialty Instruments – Resonators, 12-strings, or travel guitars used for niche parts or backing textures.
• Bass Guitars – Frequently used by dual-role musicians who also cover bass duties.

For recording and live work, many players require different tunings, string gauges, or electronics. This often leads to a collection of guitars that may number anywhere from 3 to 20+ depending on the role and career stage of the musician.

How Many Guitars Do Professional Musicians Typically Own?

The number of guitars a musician owns depends largely on their specialisation:

• Touring artists may carry 3–8 guitars per tour, including backups, different tunings, and acoustics.
• Session players often own 10–20 guitars for varied tonal palettes and genre requirements.
• Theatre musicians might use 3–6 guitars during a show depending on the score, plus additional instruments in rotation.

Importantly, these guitars aren’t always in use simultaneously. Storage must accommodate both everyday-use instruments and long-term inventory.

How to Store One or Two Guitars

For musicians with a minimal setup, especially those who are frequently on the move:

✔ Hard or Flight Cases

• Ideal for touring artists, a robust case protects the guitar during transport.
• Look for ATA-approved flight cases for air travel.
• Cases should include humidity control, neck support, and lockable latches.

✔ Single Guitar Stands

• In a home or studio setting, a padded, stable floor stand offers easy access.
• Wall-mounted single hooks are a great option to keep instruments off the ground.

Pros: Easy to move, cost-effective
Cons: Takes up floor space, not ideal for multiple guitars

Storing a Few Guitars (3–6 Instruments)

When the collection grows beyond two guitars, professional storage becomes essential.

✔ Multi-Guitar Racks (Freestanding)

• Hold 3–7 guitars on padded horizontal bars.
• Popular for live venues, rehearsal rooms, or studios.
• Portable and collapsible versions are available for touring crews.

Pros: Portable, easy to access
Cons: Still floor-based, prone to tipping or damage in small spaces

✔ Wall-Mounted Racks (like GearHooks®)

• Securely store up to 9 guitars vertically on the wall.
• Ideal for home studios, rehearsal rooms, or green rooms.
• Reduces clutter, protects guitars from being knocked over, and frees up floor space.

Pros: Space-efficient, secure, aesthetically pleasing
Cons: Requires wall installation (not always possible on tour)

Storing a Large Collection (10+ Guitars)

For professionals with substantial collections—whether at home, in studios, or as part of a touring rig—modular systems provide both capacity and efficiency.

✔ Modular Wall Storage (e.g. GearHooks Guitar Wall Rack System)

• Fit multiple wall racks next to, or above and below, each other
• Designed to hold large numbers of guitars vertically.
• Modular hooks can be adjusted to fit different guitar styles and depths.
• Wall-mounted units save significant space and can accommodate a studio-quality display.
• Each GearHooks panel can hold up to 9 guitars, making it ideal for professionals managing a working collection.

Key benefits:

• Saves floor space
• Keeps everything visible and accessible
• Organises guitars by tuning, type, or usage

Use cases:

• Session players storing vintage electrics and acoustics
• Touring artists organising backup and specialty guitars
• Pit musicians arranging instruments for quick show-time changes

Should You Store Guitars in Cases or On Racks?

It depends on the use:

• In cases: Ideal for long-term storage, transportation, or valuable instruments not regularly played.
• On racks/hooks: Perfect for guitars in regular rotation—quick access, no need to open cases, and better ventilation.

For a hybrid setup, many professionals keep high-use instruments on display (using a wall rack like GearHooks) and rarer pieces in secure hard cases.

Transport vs. On-Site Storage

Musicians who travel often (touring artists, show players) must prioritise durability and mobility—hence the reliance on hard cases and flight-approved gear trunks. However, when they return home or set up in a fixed studio or theatre pit, they need a different approach: convenient, tidy, and safe wall storage.

A system like the GearHooks Guitar Wall Hanger provides a permanent home for instruments off-tour, reducing wear and tear from constant casing and uncasing.

✅ Summary: Best Storage Options for Professional Musicians

Number of Guitars	Best Option	Notes
1–2	Hard case, floor stand, or single wall hook	Great for travel or compact setups
3–6	Freestanding rack or wall-mounted multi-hook system	Suitable for small studios and live setups
7+	Modular wall storage (e.g. GearHooks)	Ideal for pros managing many guitars

Final Thoughts

For professional musicians, guitars are more than tools—they’re vital investments in their craft. Whether you’re on tour, in the studio, or performing nightly in a theatre pit, the way you store your instruments can make a significant difference to their longevity and accessibility.

Wall-mounted systems like the GearHooks Guitar Wall Rack offer a secure, space-efficient, and professional-grade solution for storing everything from a handful to a large collection of guitars. With instruments clearly visible, protected, and ready to play, it’s the perfect choice for working musicians who need both form and function from their gear storage.