Do you leave your guitar sitting on a stand overnight or play gigs out in the elements--outdoor summer shows for instance? There is a new product, Drapestersâ„¢, designed as a drape for your stand-sitting guitar at home, in the studio or at shows. Basically you can use it whenever your guitar is on a stand instead of a case.

"One reason for using Drapesters at gigs is to keep curious fingers at bay. A Drapester provides a clear signal to those who do not know that touching a guitar without permission is a no-no. If the gig is out of doors, a Drapester can minimize a guitar’s exposure to sun, wind, dust, and moisture," says Greg Gabriel of Latham Products LLC in Los Altos, California. "Some musicians like the drama of leaving their guitar 'under cover' until they start to play. Others choose to customize their Drapester so it displays their name or band logo."

Gabriel also points out that even though you probably shouldn't leave your guitar out of the case for extended periods musicians often do just that.

"For a rare or particularly delicate instrument, we wouldn’t recommend it, but keeping a Drapester-covered guitar within easy reach encourages playing and practice." he says.

When asked to "sell us" the product Greg listed the following reasons:

• Drapesters keep dust from damaging finishes and strings, making electrical pickups crackle and cut out, and collecting inside the sound box, where it traps moisture and interferes with the wood’s natural resonance.
  
  
• Drapesters are quicker than manhandling your guitar in and out of the case, especially in close quarters, and let you spend more time playing and less time dusting, polishing and maintaining your guitar.
  
  
• Drapesters come in a stylish variety of eco-friendly 100% cotton fabrics that won’t catch on strings or tuning heads, fit standard acoustic or electric guitars, can be folded and put in guitar cases for travel or gigs, and look a heck-of-a-lot cooler than old towels or sweatshirts.

Drapesters are available online.