Humidity question for Light

[TheRockDoc]

I am having a humidity issue

I keep a humidifier in my 'studio' room- about approx 14x18. It is set between 35%-40%. A couple of issues become problematic/

#1- I use distilled water, but it is becoming VERY expensive as it probably costs at least a gallon/day. The thing is running constantly again this year due to the heat in the house. I like the dry heat as a person, but my guitars do not. If I use spring water, will that ruin the humidifier?
#2- since it is operating more frequently, I have noticed that when it loses water, the % decreases pretty quickly, often creating a ping-pong effect of being higher% then lower% (of humidity). Is that going to affect the guitar(s) over a period of time by constantly rapidly expanding/contracting?
#3- I have found, at least on a Martin D1 that I have, that I used to hang them on holes on the wall, and the joint between the headstock and the neck appears damaged by the finish- like the lacquer has 'melted' in a few places. Is it possible that is the result, and can it be fixed? (picture attached)
#4- I am considering rehanging the guitars, but will use a closet instead of the wall (for cosmetic purposes)- standard small closet space. How would that affect the humidity with an actual humidifier, and can I keep the humidifier in such a small, enclosed space. It appears that the closet is relatively cold compared to the rest of that room.

Thanks,

TRD

 

[therage!]

I have a Holmes humidifier I use in a room similar to yours in size and have never used anything but tap water in it. The humidifier is 6-7 years old and works great. I keep the room at 45% humidity but I don't hang my guitars on the wall. All my guitars are in great shape except my Guild J30 which was abused (not keeping it properly humidified) by a previous owner. I think you might be better off not hanging them and keep them in cases. In the case you could keep a dampit in their too.

Do you have a hygrometer? I don't know if I would trust any settings on a unit.

 

[Light]

I am having a humidity issue

I keep a humidifier in my 'studio' room- about approx 14x18. It is set between 35%-40%. A couple of issues become problematic/

#1- I use distilled water, but it is becoming VERY expensive as it probably costs at least a gallon/day. The thing is running constantly again this year due to the heat in the house. I like the dry heat as a person, but my guitars do not. If I use spring water, will that ruin the humidifier?

I'll bet that's expensive! Use tap water, it's fine. You might need to use an anti-scale treatment, and I use an anti-bacterial treatment (but just because it means I only have to clean the thing once or twice a year to keep if from smelling swampy) in my room humidifier, but other than that tap water is FINE.

#2- since it is operating more frequently, I have noticed that when it loses water, the % decreases pretty quickly, often creating a ping-pong effect of being higher% then lower% (of humidity). Is that going to affect the guitar(s) over a period of time by constantly rapidly expanding/contracting?

Yeah, you gotta be carful not to let them go without water for very long, particularly if you have forced air. It is best to keep things pretty consistent, but as long as it doesn't get below about 35% you should be OK.

#3- I have found, at least on a Martin D1 that I have, that I used to hang them on holes on the wall, and the joint between the headstock and the neck appears damaged by the finish- like the lacquer has 'melted' in a few places. Is it possible that is the result, and can it be fixed? (picture attached)

Hard to tell without seeing it. I MAY have been as a result, but a good quality hanger shouldn't be a problem. As far as fixing it, that is pretty tough to do well. Yes, the finish can be blended back in (there are chemicals which will blend nitro back into itself very well), but with a satin finish it is very difficult to match the sheen to the surrounding finish.

#4- I am considering rehanging the guitars, but will use a closet instead of the wall (for cosmetic purposes)- standard small closet space. How would that affect the humidity with an actual humidifier, and can I keep the humidifier in such a small, enclosed space. It appears that the closet is relatively cold compared to the rest of that room.

I would much rather see you keep them in their cases. I know that it's a pain, but in the winter it is very important. Well, actually, it is always pretty important, but particularly in the winter. The best thing for your guitars is to keep them in the cases whenever you are not playing them, and to use both a Kyser Lifeguard and a soap dish humidifier. The case is a much smaller space, which makes it much easier to keep at a consistent relative humidity. Also, if you have any pets or little humans (kids) around, the case protects your guitars from getting knocked about. It's also much better for your house, because when it's cold out most of the moisture you put out into the room just condenses out on the windows and in the walls, which ends up rotting your house away. Not a good idea, at least in my mind.

If you MUST keep them on the wall (I, for instance, do not have enough cases for all my guitars - what's that saying about the cobbler's children?), then a smaller space is better, but you really do want to try and keep the heat pretty stable if you can. The ideal situation for a guitar is 72 degrees Fahrenheit and 45% humidity. A variation of up to 10% isn't going to hurt anything, but the narrower the variation, the better.


Light

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M.K. Gandhi