Acoustic Guitar Care Humidity Lesson, Part I

[nirvousfreek]

I have a Martin D-41 and will be leaving for college soon. Where I live the winters can get quite nasty. The heat from the heater never seems to make it into my room. Would a humidifier be a good idea to have in the case while I'm gone?

[fastLane500]

Can you tell me what's happened to that video you made playing the intro to Dust in the wind? Really used to inspire me that video.

[blahhxblah]

Hello, I have a few questions. I've been looking into purchasing my very first Taylor for a while now. I have a hygrometer in my room that reads the humidity is usually between 67-70% and I plan on purchasing a mini dehumidifier for my room to hopefully keep it at a consistent of 45-50%. Now would I still need to use a guitar humidifier?

[cheapguitars]

@blahhxblah At 50% you would not need a guitar humidifier, so you're lucky!

[blahhxblah]

@cheapguitars oh okay. thanks for the response. (:

[KISSarmyist]

@blahhxblah No I'm not this guy. But I've heard that a Guitar should be at 45% humidity. Gut a humidifyer. But don't put water in it. It will have the ooposite effect, it will obsorb some humidity. To much is just as bad as too little

[malkuth74]

I bought one of those devices, its cheap enough and will hopefully save me any trouble with my new guitar. :)

[wolf69a]

Any tip for too much humidity, where i live we have around 90 % all the year, any guitar dehumidifier in the market ?

[WormOfTheWorld]

By the way...music stores will scalp you for a hygrometer. But if you buy one in a pet store, they are pretty reasonably priced. I bought a digital one by Fluker, intended for a terrarium, that monitors and records temp and humidity. Cost less than $20 incl shipping. Same thing from Oasis on MusiciansFiend will cost you almost $30 just for the device... Guess they figure people who buy acoustic guitars can afford more than those who buy lizard habitats

[WormOfTheWorld]

A $16 humidifier restored my $800 Washburn from unplayable to like new in 2 weeks. I use Oasis type w/screw cap top, permeable cloth body, & high-powered magnet sewn into body. Comes w/2 types of base plates: one for pasteboard cases; one for full hard shell case. Easy to mount case; lets me take it anywhere, store at any angle w/o spills. I use two now; 2nd one is designed for extra dry places. Restored my $800 Washburn AE from unplayable to like new in 2 weeks.

[joeshmoe123456789101]

can anyone please tell me if you think its dangerous to have music gear in an unfinished basement. I have 2 electric guitars, 1 acoustic, 2 keyboards, 2 amps and a computer I want to put down there. Do you think its safe? Please help someone!

[Sungodv]

Get thee a hygrometer. Then you'll know what humidity levels are present in the basement.

The acoustic, and to a lesser degree the elec gits, are the most prone to drying out.

[fredfredburger2626]

I have the kind of humidifier that sits between the strings and pulls them apart pretty far.. about an inch or more which kind of freaks me out could this be bad for the strings, the nut or the bridge??

[BlackAngusYoung]

Good to know. I was given a really nice guitar that would have been perfect except for something I know now was probably from drying out. It's a sad thing to see.

[stsanford]

Super Important, if you have a laminated guitar (think less expensive) it's somewhat less important, but it is extremely important for solid-wood guitars.

I was in Guitar Center in Commack, NY a month ago and their humidifiers were not working. Guess what, in the acoustic "wow" room, at least 10 of the 25 or so high-end guitars had massive splits on their soundboards. Be careful.. An ounce of prevention....

[cheapguitars]

I wonder what they did with those guitars? Next time you go, check to see if they've been repaired...otherwise I sense a really good deal!!!!!

[stsanford]

Last time I was in there, they were still there... Just hanging on the wall.... Maybe check things out. I was there about 2 weeks ago..... Happy hunting...

[airtap1982]

It was my bridge that cracked.

[airtap1982]

I have one and my guitar didn't crack till i started using it. Seemed like it created a moister fluxuation in my guitar. It would get moist during the night and I had it out of the case during the day. Do you have any thoughts on the subject?

[cheapguitars]

in your situation, it sounds like it would have happened anyway & may have been accelerated by the extreme changes

were you able to have the guitar repaired?

[airtap1982]

Not yet. I need to get around and do it though. 150 dollars for a new bridge isn't bad. Its just hard having to part with it for any extended period of time.

[Rozq87]

Thanks a lot man! Didn't know that.