This winter I will be doing something I've never done before to my guitars. I'm going to put in homemade humidifiers in their cases. I got the idea from someone on this forum. I could have spent another $50.00 and bought something from Sweetwater, but this fellow said making your own is just as good. Here are a few photos:
My homemade guitar case humidifiers
- Thread starter Napthol
- Start date
Oh crap. Should I be keeping my guitars in cases? I have them hanging on a wall. I have fish tanks which keep the room humidified. I haven't had any problems afaict.
Maybe a fish tank is cheaper that buying a humidifier for every guitar case?
I have a dehumidifier for use as needed.
Maybe a fish tank is cheaper that buying a humidifier for every guitar case?
I have a dehumidifier for use as needed.
eclecticsynergy
Well-known member
Some people use plastic travel soapdishes with holes drilled in the lid.
Myself, I just keep a slightly-damp kitchen sponge in the utility compartment of each case.
Have done that since the 70s on the advice of a friend who was Steve Howe's guitar tech.
I moisten the sponges every six months or so - more often for cases that are opened often.
That's for the electrics, where it's really just to keep the fretboards from drying out.
Never had a mold or mildew problem in five decades of doing it that way. But my home base is in the Northeast.
And I wouldn't recommend it for any case that had survived a flood or ever had mildew issues.
Am more careful with acoustics, since adequate humidification is crucial, especially for older ones - a couple of mine are from the 40s & 50s.
I use the plastic D'Addario soundhole humidifiers with microsponge inserts, and I remoisten them on a regular schedule.
Three month intervals during the warmer season, then every other month when the heat's on and the air is drier.
Bought digital hygrometers for the cases too. I only have eight acoustics, so it isn't much work to keep 'em humidified.
Myself, I just keep a slightly-damp kitchen sponge in the utility compartment of each case.
Have done that since the 70s on the advice of a friend who was Steve Howe's guitar tech.
I moisten the sponges every six months or so - more often for cases that are opened often.
That's for the electrics, where it's really just to keep the fretboards from drying out.
Never had a mold or mildew problem in five decades of doing it that way. But my home base is in the Northeast.
And I wouldn't recommend it for any case that had survived a flood or ever had mildew issues.
Am more careful with acoustics, since adequate humidification is crucial, especially for older ones - a couple of mine are from the 40s & 50s.
I use the plastic D'Addario soundhole humidifiers with microsponge inserts, and I remoisten them on a regular schedule.
Three month intervals during the warmer season, then every other month when the heat's on and the air is drier.
Bought digital hygrometers for the cases too. I only have eight acoustics, so it isn't much work to keep 'em humidified.
solspirit
Ultimate Post Liker
I've been doing it for years with no problem. I don't even bother with the container.
GuitarStv
Sock Market Trader
I have never seen damage to an electric guitar from improper humidification. Acoustics yes - they'll swell and crack, but I don't think you really need to worry about electrics . . . I've had mine from 100% humidity in the summer to 5% in the winter with no issues.
ErikH
Well-known member
I have a Herco case humidifier for my Martin D-28. It needs to be refreshed. It's been a good while. Then again, the humidity here can be pretty stable but this summer was crazy hot with little to no rain so it dropped. I don't take it out of the case a lot bit I do need to keep the humidifier wet. Now is a good time as any. Good reminder. 
beaubrummels
Well-known member
solspirit
Ultimate Post Liker
A nice little treasure trove of info
eclecticsynergy
Well-known member
Any guitar could suffer fret sprout if it becomes truly desiccated. I humidify my electrics just to keep the fretboards happy.
But it's not as if I'm keeping them jungle-damp or anything.
When properly humidified, ordinary rosewood opens up its grain a little over the years and begins to feel a bit waxy, almost like Brazilian.
Most ebony seems to look and feel pretty much the same over time regardless of case environment.
However if it's allowed to dry out too much for too long, ebony can shrink quite a lot - enough to see.
Rosewood doesn't seem to do that - it might tighten a bit, but doesn't become visibly smaller.
beaubrummels
Well-known member
Actually, just realized it's kind of the opposite of the OP problem. Except that the fact that cases absorb humidity so a humidifier in the case may not be as neceessary.
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