Humidity (IMPORTANT; MUST READ)

  • Thread starter Thread starter Light
  • Start date Start date
This is a great thread in bringing up the importance of proper humidity for instruments and how to do it but we're leaving out a few things.

It's been my experience in the last 30 years of living in the arid climates of mountains and deserts that rapid change in conditions of heat/cold combined with change in humidity are what usually causes cracks while slow change to extremes seldom does. The toughest conditions for an acoustic guitar are is the change to the combination of high altitude, low humidity and extreme cold. Second are the nimrods that leave their guitars in their cars out here in the desert sun.

So, when traveling to a different climate, try to keep the instrument as close to room temperature as possible and out of the sun.......and DETUNE.
 
SHEPPARDB. said:
Relative humidity is the sweat that forms on your balls when you're fuckin'
yer cousin.
Light,It really bothers me that you are always qualifying yourself as a
guitar guru yet you wont say the name of your shop.I dont really have
any doubts that you know yer shit but yer reluctance to say who you
work for pisses me off.
If you are concerned that it may come across as spam,then why ment-
ion that you work for a shop(or own one)at all?If you think it would aff-
ect the shop you own or work for in a negative way,then just leave the
fact that you are a pro out of the equation altogether and let your knowledge qualify you.
Alot of yer post come across as very condescending.(Holy shit,I forgot
to come down from my throne and let the peons know t'was the season
to humidify instruments)Give me a fucking break man!people that own
quality instruments know how to take care of them and if they dont we
can send them to the"Is it better to leave my guitar on a stand,or in the case" thread.
Click to expand...

What? Are you on the rag SHEP? Chill out man or take it to the cave.
 
I keep my guitars in a custom-made guitar cabinet all year round. This way, I know that the temperature and humidity remain at a constant 72 degrees and 66%, respectively. I bought the cabinet from Ikea for only $99, assembled it, and then customized it accordingly to hold 7 electric guitars and one acoustic.

I put a couple of home-made humidifiers (made with plastic containers, anti-microbial sponges and filled with distilled water) inside the cabinet at the bottom (in the back). I also put a combination thermometer/hygrometer inside to monitor conditions. The cabinet also has a pair of lights inside for the "wow!" factor. :D

I used grey foam pipe insulation over the bracing at the bottom to prevent scratching or chipping the bottom of my guitars. I used some cheapo rubber-coated garden tool holders from the hardware store to support the necks. Total cost was about $150 for the cabinet and construction materials, and another $20 for the thermometer/hygrometer. I use a plastic kiddie-lock on the handles to keep the kids out. There's a storage area up top for guitar cables, tuners, pedal and effects, etc.

Here's what it looks like... (with doors open, of course)
 

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Phil, here's the gist:
http://www.zorb-it.com/usermods/work.asp

But don't quote me as saying it's a lifesaver. I've used this product for several years now, especially with electronics(mics especially) in my studio, and I've seen no signs of humidity-related damage. Does this stuff work? I have no idea really, beyond my very limited experience. It's a leap of faith for me, but there's some contact info. at this site for anyone with specific questions.

Best,
J.
 
Does a gig bag rate or next to useless for humidity.I have hardcases for all my acoustics but only a gigbag for my electric.Thanks for the info Light and Shep some of us don,t know but are willing to learn.
 
jeffree said:
Phil, here's the gist:
http://www.zorb-it.com/usermods/work.asp

But don't quote me as saying it's a lifesaver. I've used this product for several years now, especially with electronics(mics especially) in my studio, and I've seen no signs of humidity-related damage. Does this stuff work? I have no idea really, beyond my very limited experience. It's a leap of faith for me, but there's some contact info. at this site for anyone with specific questions.

Best,
J.
Click to expand...

Thanks, it looks like it's a stabilizer of sorts and doesn't look like it'll work for me because we don't have much in the way of fluctuation, since we don't have humidity.
 
Buck62 said:
I keep my guitars in a custom-made guitar cabinet all year round. This way, I know that the temperature and humidity remain at a constant 72 degrees and 66%, respectively. I bought the cabinet from Ikea for only $99, assembled it, and then customized it accordingly to hold 7 electric guitars and one acoustic.

I put a couple of home-made humidifiers (made with plastic containers, anti-microbial sponges and filled with distilled water) inside the cabinet at the bottom (in the back). I also put a combination thermometer/hygrometer inside to monitor conditions. The cabinet also has a pair of lights inside for the "wow!" factor. :D

I used grey foam pipe insulation over the bracing at the bottom to prevent scratching or chipping the bottom of my guitars. I used some cheapo rubber-coated garden tool holders from the hardware store to support the necks. Total cost was about $150 for the cabinet and construction materials, and another $20 for the thermometer/hygrometer. I use a plastic kiddie-lock on the handles to keep the kids out. There's a storage area up top for guitar cables, tuners, pedal and effects, etc.

Here's what it looks like... (with doors open, of course)
Click to expand...

Very cool Buck. I could convert my studio closet to something like that and keep most everything out. Then again, that would defeat the other reason I keep them in cases...........earthquakes.
 
VomitHatSteve said:
There are a lot of people who are new to music and maintenance on this thread.
Click to expand...
You are absolutely right!!!I cant believe that I didnt start a thread to let
you newbies know to put that $150.00 POS Ibeenhad in the case with
a HUMIDIFIER.
 
hixmix said:
What? Are you on the rag SHEP? Chill out man or take it to the cave.
Click to expand...
If I were trying to be an asshole,I would take it to the cave,but this is one
case where I am just being honest.
BTW Hix,never let your guitars get wet.If you do they shrink and become
Mandolins.
 
There is nothing ACTUALLY different about Taylors in reguards to humidity, but the advise they give on it is insufficent for cold, dry, or widely variable climates. I have spoken to them about this, and something MAY come about because of it.

The problem with taking humidity advise from guitar companies like Taylor or Santa Cruz is that, they are both in moderate climates. And to be frank, they don't really see much of the humidity related stuff, because it is not covered by the warranty (it is not, after all, a defect in materials or workmanship). The best thing is always to get advise from a local repair person who has a great deal of experience with the climate conditions WHERE YOU ARE LIVING. You would think the worst problems would be in deserts, but it's not. The inside of a house in Minnesota durring heating season can easily and regularly get down to levels which are drier than Death Valley. I have seen honest measurments in my sisters house of 5%. I don't care how slow you get there, your guitar is going to crack in that enviroment. And my sisters did, until she started leaving it with me durring heating season.



Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi
 
HI WHAT? said:
Does a gig bag rate or next to useless for humidity.I have hardcases for all my acoustics but only a gigbag for my electric.Thanks for the info Light and Shep some of us don,t know but are willing to learn.
Click to expand...


It's better than nothing. Most gig bags are not too pourous. Not as good as a hard shell, but still good.


Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi
 
SHEPPARDB. said:
If I were trying to be an asshole,I would take it to the cave,but this is one
case where I am just being honest.
Click to expand...

OK


:rolleyes:
 
Light said:
There is nothing ACTUALLY different about Taylors in reguards to humidity, but the advise they give on it is insufficent for cold, dry, or widely variable climates. I have spoken to them about this, and something MAY come about because of it.

The problem with taking humidity advise from guitar companies like Taylor or Santa Cruz is that, they are both in moderate climates. And to be frank, they don't really see much of the humidity related stuff, because it is not covered by the warranty (it is not, after all, a defect in materials or workmanship). The best thing is always to get advise from a local repair person who has a great deal of experience with the climate conditions WHERE YOU ARE LIVING. You would think the worst problems would be in deserts, but it's not. The inside of a house in Minnesota durring heating season can easily and regularly get down to levels which are drier than Death Valley. I have seen honest measurments in my sisters house of 5%. I don't care how slow you get there, your guitar is going to crack in that enviroment. And my sisters did, until she started leaving it with me durring heating season.



Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi
Click to expand...

Yup...we get that here in CO. Our house is pretty tight...during the winter, the funace comes on and the air gets drier inside that it is outside...just to keep the sinuses comfy, a whole house unit is a must. It helps to keep the kitty from makin' sparks when rolling around on the floor too. :D
 
Light said:
There is nothing ACTUALLY different about Taylors in reguards to humidity, but the advise they give on it is insufficent for cold, dry, or widely variable climates. I have spoken to them about this, and something MAY come about because of it.

The problem with taking humidity advise from guitar companies like Taylor or Santa Cruz is that, they are both in moderate climates. And to be frank, they don't really see much of the humidity related stuff, because it is not covered by the warranty (it is not, after all, a defect in materials or workmanship). The best thing is always to get advise from a local repair person who has a great deal of experience with the climate conditions WHERE YOU ARE LIVING. You would think the worst problems would be in deserts, but it's not. The inside of a house in Minnesota durring heating season can easily and regularly get down to levels which are drier than Death Valley. I have seen honest measurments in my sisters house of 5%. I don't care how slow you get there, your guitar is going to crack in that enviroment. And my sisters did, until she started leaving it with me durring heating season.



Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi
Click to expand...

Hey, there's a heating season here too and the ac/heat pump removes what little moisture we do have.

Since you're around lots of guitars I have a question; how often do you see older instruments (say over 20 years) developing cracks? It's been my experience that after a period of time, a quitar will stabilize and become more ammune to moderate climate changes, whereas a new acoustic guitar is much more sensitive and can easily be ruined by improper care.
 
confused newbie

w/ all the different opinions, i don't know what i should do. i have 3 electrics (2 solid bodies and a semi-hollow body) and one acoustic. the electrics all have hardshell cases, and i have a gig bag for the acoustic. all of the guitars are in my 'play room' which has our computer and all of my gear in it as well.

i have a planet waves humidifier for the acoustic, but i misplaced the little syringe thing to inject water into it. as for the electrics, they sit in their cases most of the time.

since it got cold here, we've turned the furnace on, and i've noticed that the rooms feel dryer (like you can feel it in the air). i really don't want my gear getting messed up, my guitars aren't vintage LPs or anything, but between the money i've invested modifying all them, and the sentimental value, i don't wanna risk them getting damaged from the humidity.

now for my questions:

1-should i seal off the window to the room with plastic (i know this will cut down on heating costs, but would it increase the humidity in the room/apartment)?

2-the soap dish/sponge thing....is it as simple as taking a travel soap dish, putting some holes in it, adding a moistened sponge, and putting it in the case? and wouldn't the added moisture affect the electronics and hardware on the guitars?

3-should i continue to use the planet waves humidifier thing for my acoustic?

4-what should i do about my amp head/rack case, my 4x12 (this is the only vintage thing i own, and i'd just assume lose a testicle than have anything happen to it), and my mics, pedal board, recording interface.....?

all in all, i just wanna do what's best for my gear.

thanks, in advance, for any ideas, advice, comments....

curtiss
 
philboyd studge said:
Hey, there's a heating season here too and the ac/heat pump removes what little moisture we do have.

Since you're around lots of guitars I have a question; how often do you see older instruments (say over 20 years) developing cracks? It's been my experience that after a period of time, a quitar will stabilize and become more ammune to moderate climate changes, whereas a new acoustic guitar is much more sensitive and can easily be ruined by improper care.
Click to expand...



They still need protection. Sure, they stabilize, but that is more of an effect for the neck than the body. I have seen plenty of older gutiars come in with top, back, and side cracks.


Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi
 
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