Gel Packets in guitar case? (and other environmental questions)

[Closed Eye]

I read in an old issue of GuitarOne that if you put those silicon gel packets from shoeboxes in your guitarcase it'll help the guitar handle environmental changes better. Is this is a good idea? Where exactly in the case would I put them? The part where the body is? The strap/pick holder? The headstock rest thinger?

Also, I plan on taking the Paul to the dorm room and would like to know what I could do to combat the environmental changes (AC going out, higher/lower humidity, etc,) the guitar will be facing now and in the future.

Thanks for the info, help, look.

 

[ErikH]

Re: Gel Packets in guitar case? (and other environmental questions)

If not playing it frequently, leave it in the case. That'll help keep the temp it encounters fairly regulated. As for the gel packets, they help absorb the moisture. Too much can make the wood expand. Too little will make it shrink. The packets will at least help keep the humidity in the case fairly regulated.

 

[Closed Eye]

Re: Gel Packets in guitar case? (and other environmental questions)

If not playing it frequently, leave it in the case. That'll help keep the temp it encounters fairly regulated. As for the gel packets, they help absorb the moisture. Too much can make the wood expand. Too little will make it shrink. The packets will at least help keep the humidity in the case fairly regulated.

I have one in there right now. Is that too little? How many should I put in there?

 

[ErikH]

Re: Gel Packets in guitar case? (and other environmental questions)

One is fine. You don't want to absorb too much moisture out. Just change it out every few months.

 

[Guest]

Re: Gel Packets in guitar case? (and other environmental questions)

I don't know how big the effect is but I have one in mine.

You can get them with some clothing articles and sometimes even some school articles (backpacks, pencil bags stuff like that) so I'd start at clothing stores and office suppleirs and see if you can score one or two. Try to get the from a place wher you have friends that way you can get them periodically without having to actually go there or wait. The place from which I get mine already knows tha eveytime I go there I ask for some so when I'm paying for the stuff they already have some for me.