Guitar Humidifiers

[PUCKBOY99]

So I've got the new Guild acoustic & from what I've read, they seem to have a pretty good history of developing checking in the lacquer due to humidity problems.

Has anyone heard of this/have experience with this/any experience with the humidifiers you put in the case...any recommendations?????

I live in S. Florida where it stays pretty d@mn humid year round........Any help is greatly appreciated!!! :thanks:

 

[Falstaff]

Re: Guitar Humidifiers

If you don't use the heat much, you might not need one...but you probably should get a hydrometer (I think that's the word) and see how the room you keep your guitar in is vis a vis humidity.

I hear a lot of good things about the Planet Waves humidifier...very easy to use. One thing you might want to do is visit the local "Acoustic Music" store (if there is one near you) and see what they recommend. You might end up paying a couple bucks more, but they usually know more about maintaining acoustic instruments than the folks at Guitar Center. Plus you are supporting your local hippies when you buy from them.

So I've got the new Guild acoustic & from what I've read, they seem to have a pretty good history of developing checking in the lacquer due to humidity problems.

Has anyone heard of this/have experience with this/any experience with the humidifiers you put in the case...any recommendations?????

I live in S. Florida where it stays pretty d@mn humid year round........Any help is greatly appreciated!!! :thanks:

 

[PUCKBOY99]

Re: Guitar Humidifiers

Yeah, there usually isn't much 'cause to turn on the heat down here! I wasn't sure if the constant air conditioning would effect it any. I was actually looking at a Planet Waves thing that measured the humidity & it had a few other gizmos.....I figured $40.00 would be a wise investment. Good tip on asking the locals....I hate Guitar Center, but there are a few folks around that I'd trust.

 

[sgstrat]

Re: Guitar Humidifiers

Hi Puckboy,

First of all, congratulations on the D-55. I've always had a soft spot for Guilds; the first good guitarist I ever knew had a Guild D-40 back around '65.

I have two of the Planet Waves humidifiers and they work just fine. Be sure to follow their recommendations and use distilled water. The optimal hudidity range for acoustics is 40 to 60%. The danger of low humidity for acoustics is cracking of the wood. Don't be worried about lacquer checking. Checking doesn't hurt the tone or pose a structural problem, in fact, it's part of the mojo of old guitars.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Guitar Humidifiers

I've never fully understood humidifying/dehumidifying. I know that wood needs a certain amount of moisture, to keep from cracking. How come people always refer to
a good sounding guitar as one that's nice and dried out? I never subject my guitars to extremes, because it's always hot in Chatsworth, Ca., but have never experienced
checking or cracking. I've never owned a humidifier. I throw away the little silicon packs made to dehumidify. I guess I don't care much.

 

[59paul]

Re: Guitar Humidifiers

Just an FYI .... I keep my home studio around 75 degrees and 45-50 % humidity year round. This keeps all my Babies playing and looking superb.

 

[Fresh_Start]

Re: Guitar Humidifiers

You can buy a digital thermometer/hygrometer from Radio Shack for about $15. Mine fits in the bottom of the case above the neck/body joint. I just shaved off the fur and glued down some velcro. I use a worm type humidifier - can't remember the brand. AC acts like a dehumidifier, but if you've got a heat pump for your "winter" it can really dry things out fast (even in Florida).

Chip