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Tips on keeping guitars hydrated
Posted on 12/4/20 at 7:05 pm
Posted on 12/4/20 at 7:05 pm
I live in the Midwest now and winter is hell on my solid wood acoustic.
I have one of these
Which I have been putting in the guitar and keeping it in the case, is that sufficient?
Will be getting another solid wood soon so want to keep both from drying out.
I have one of these
Which I have been putting in the guitar and keeping it in the case, is that sufficient?
Will be getting another solid wood soon so want to keep both from drying out.
5
Posted on 12/4/20 at 8:40 pm to SidewalkTiger
Maybe a humidifier in the room where you keep them?
Posted on 12/5/20 at 12:10 am to SidewalkTiger
My strings go out of tune if it falls below 40, is that what you mean?
Posted on 12/5/20 at 10:52 am to lazy
That's the same D'Addario unit I use for my acoustics and the high-dollar guitars that visit my shop. It's sufficient for your needs.
I use gallon-jug generic distilled water bought cheap at grocery stores. Saturate the sponge and squeeze out excess so it's wet but not dripping. Extend the unit between the strings into the soundhole and case or gigbag the guitar. Check the sponge in 48 hours. If the sponge is still wet, you are hydrated adequately and you're now on a monthly hydrate schedule. If the sponge is dry, repeat the 48-hour thing until your sponge checks wet.
Hot dry air is the enemy. During winter months, keep your guitar(s) away from heater ducts and blowers. NEVER park a guitar next to a heater vent, or on an active fireplace's hearth.
If you run the heater during the winter, casing the guitar when not being played is not a bad idea.
AND ... It's is possible to overhydrate a guitar, and that can create an equally detrimental set of inverse problems. Don't go overboard with the humidifier. Do what's needed, nothing else.
I use gallon-jug generic distilled water bought cheap at grocery stores. Saturate the sponge and squeeze out excess so it's wet but not dripping. Extend the unit between the strings into the soundhole and case or gigbag the guitar. Check the sponge in 48 hours. If the sponge is still wet, you are hydrated adequately and you're now on a monthly hydrate schedule. If the sponge is dry, repeat the 48-hour thing until your sponge checks wet.
Hot dry air is the enemy. During winter months, keep your guitar(s) away from heater ducts and blowers. NEVER park a guitar next to a heater vent, or on an active fireplace's hearth.
If you run the heater during the winter, casing the guitar when not being played is not a bad idea.
AND ... It's is possible to overhydrate a guitar, and that can create an equally detrimental set of inverse problems. Don't go overboard with the humidifier. Do what's needed, nothing else.
Posted on 12/5/20 at 11:50 am to SidewalkTiger
You can pee on them too
Posted on 12/6/20 at 4:54 pm to SidewalkTiger
I spill beer on mine. Does that work?
Posted on 12/6/20 at 5:34 pm to wareaglepete
quote:
I spill beer on mine. Does that work?
Only if you want to rock n’ roll
Posted on 12/7/20 at 8:54 am to Philzilla2k
Bruh I have a Alvarez that stays in my camp that isn't climate controlled. It sees all kinds of weather change inside. From hot and humid to cold and dry. It holds tuning fairly well and the sound is still great! As a matter a fact, a buddy that plays Taylors, likes the sound of mine better. Unless it's a high end Martin or a Hummingbird.....don't over think the keeping of an acoustic.
Posted on 12/7/20 at 9:50 am to SidewalkTiger
Posted on 12/7/20 at 10:47 am to Potchafa
quote:
Bruh I have a Alvarez that stays in my camp that isn't climate controlled. It sees all kinds of weather change inside. From hot and humid to cold and dry. It holds tuning fairly well and the sound is still great! As a matter a fact, a buddy that plays Taylors, likes the sound of mine better. Unless it's a high end Martin or a Hummingbird.....don't over think the keeping of an acoustic.
I assume its laminate?
Posted on 12/7/20 at 10:48 am to TheFretShack
Thanks 
Posted on 12/8/20 at 11:15 am to SidewalkTiger
I bought a 1966 Martin D18 in 1973. I was doing solo gigs at the time & was doing an acoustic gig at a place called the Jewell Box in Forest Park in STL. Pretty much a Art Deco greenhouse filled with tropical plants. All went well but days after the gig, my guitar went thru so many changes after being exposed to that amount of tropic humidity that it took almost a year to get back to being playable. Since Martins don't have a neck truss rod, finally ended up getting a steamed neck press done.
I still don't use a humidifier on the guitar to this day. I think sudden changes are more detrimental than gradual climate controlled seasonal changes. My $0.02
I still don't use a humidifier on the guitar to this day. I think sudden changes are more detrimental than gradual climate controlled seasonal changes. My $0.02
This post was edited on 12/8/20 at 10:55 pm
Posted on 12/8/20 at 4:21 pm to SidewalkTiger
quote:I'd be more concerned about the top opening up and separating down center line.
I assume its laminate?
Plus in the SE electric heat drying out the air is our biggest danger. Bought a mandolin in Colorado several years ago and owner wouldn't let me leave with out a humidifier... in summer. Threw in a cheap one for free and said use it till you get back home. Stayed another 3 months and that little humidifier had to routinely be refilled.
Posted on 12/9/20 at 10:49 am to Philzilla2k
quote:
Only if you want to rock n’ roll
Gives them mojo. I got my Fender Ultra Jazz bass new back in February. It is my main gigging bass right now. Joy to play. The only thing I hate is that when it is new I want to baby it. Dread that first scratch. Almost want to just put a ding on it to get it out of the way, because I know it is coming.
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