Caring for your older instrument
As much as possible, your instrument should be stored in a stable climate. It’s especially important to avoid extreme drops and spikes in humidity.
It’s best to store your instrument in a case when not in use. If possible, you can add a humidity pack inside the case.
Keep your instrument out of prolonged and direct exposure to sunlight.
In particular, pickguards are vulnerable to damage from sunlight. Because they’re often made out of nitrocellulose, they have the potential to warp in excessive heat.
The peg box is always the weakest part of an oud or lute. Take care when tuning that you are not putting excess force on the joint where the peg box joins the neck.
As much as possible, your instrument should be stored in a stable climate. As a general rule of thumb, if you’re comfortable in the room the instrument is too.