Guitar Case Humidifier - Build Your Own - Inexpensive

How to build your own acoustic guitar (any instrument) case humidifier.

I used to put sponges in Plastic Travel Soap Dishes and drill holes in the lid, but they tend to roll and knock about the case which could scratch the headstock.

This is so simple and available very inexpensively. Parts are sponges from a dollar store (6 for a buck) and a ziplock bag - either a regular or freezer.

I tear/cut out the top seal edges so nothing can be sealed in. Then I roll up the bag and cut slits in it so there are 4 or 5 rows of slits on each side.

Wet and wring out the sponges, and then pat them dry and stick them in the bag. Place it under the headstock area of the case for guitars.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• acoustic
• guitar
• humidifier
• do-it-yourself
• build-your-own
• do
• it
• yourself
• build
• your
• own
• inexpensive
• cheap

[guitarlj]

Well Fantom Of Fear...you obviously used either a contaminated bowl, or contaminated sponges or they picked up something from your hands.

You did not wring out the sponges till they owuldn't leave moisture as instructed. This is essential. The sponges must be wrung out till they will not even drip, or otherwise transfer moisture to the guitar.

I use ziplocks not soap dishes, and in over 30 years of carrying sponge based humidifiers have never had one leak, nor mold.

[stickysponge]

Can I try it on a gig bag?

[guitarlj]

@stickysponge Hi Sticky...

I've used them in gig bags, and they will dry out more quickly. It's best to make sure the sponges are wrung out thoroughly (so they don't get water on the guitar finish) and place them under the neck next to the heel of the neck.

[RESNfan]

what if it's an electroacoustic?

[guitarlj]

@RESNfan All of my guitars have electronics in them (both a pickup and a microphone) and I've been humidifying for more than 30 years without issues.

There is not a huge amount of humidity in the case, and it is the wood which is most responsive to it (and in need of it).

God designed such that it takes it in and stays stable...

[guitarlj]

Hi GravelTown USA...There is no harm in doing both if you live in dry climate. If you own 5 guitars you might not want to lay out $75 for humidifiers. Store bought ones are fine but most are just a sponge in a housing (except Oasis). Good luck w/ your guitar.

[FantomOfFear]

I made a different home-made humidifier (put a damp spunge in tubaware with wholes in the top) but now my case smells kinda moldy (after 1 day) so i took it out. Also the neck that was right above the case was a little damp

[winexprt]

Thanks for this video. Unfortunately your hand was in the way when you showed how to make the cut in the top seal, so I have no idea exactly what you did. :-(

[goatman069]

@GravelTownUSA I've used basically the same system for several years, in my Martin D16 H92 (19 yrs old), and my steel string Rick Pimentel Custom (very expensive) and have had absolutely no problems. The only thing I do differently is to cover the humidifier with a flannel guitar polish cloth, so the headstock doesn't touch the plastic in any way.

[wolf69a]

@goatman069 Good idea, thanks a lot

[goatman069]

@wolf69a Make this same humidifier, but put it in the case dry. It'll soak up some moisture.

[BackToTheFront11]

Danny Devito? :D

[DaneUni]

Thanks for the video, I liked the rolling the bag up idea.