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 Discussion Forums
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 Best way to humidify guitar?
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| Author | Topic: Best way to humidify guitar? |
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Jamie Member |
posted 05-19-2004 05:34 AM
   
I was told by a knowledgeable luthier that my guitar was having problems (small crack in the back, bridge lifting off slightly because top is sinking) because it has dried out. I wasn't able to leave it with him and it might be a couple of weeks before I can take it back. In the meantime, what's the best way to humidify it? I've heard that a damp sponge in the sound hole will work but I'm a little nervous about doing that to an expensive instrument. I've seen contraptions that you can buy but didn't find any on recent trips to two stores. Suggestions? |
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Rockerbob Member |
posted 05-19-2004 06:53 AM
You will get lots of opinions, many of them valid, but my choice is to humidify the environment. I keep my guitars in my music room/studio/office and I keep that room humidified. I have a Sears room humidifier and it keep it between 40 and 50% year round. A couple weeks in a room like this would help your guitar. |
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Nath Member |
posted 05-19-2004 06:55 AM
Here's a link to a makeshift humidifier: http://www.thepodium.com/instcare3.html Looks pretty good to me and it looks fairly easy and inexpensive to make. |
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Jamie Member |
posted 05-19-2004 08:35 AM
Thanks, guys. Rockerbob, it's my road guitar so keeping in an a humidified environment is not always possible. Cool link, Nath. At the bottom of the page it says not to worry about the humidity once spring starts so I guess I'll wait to make my soap dish humidifier, unless I make a trip to the desert. [This message has been edited by Jamie (edited 05-19-2004).] |
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Peter Cree Member |
posted 05-19-2004 09:25 AM
I agree with Bob. I have a number of guitars here in NM which can have a RH of 8%. My music room is at 40% with two inexpensive humidifiers going. I think 35 to 40% is a very good percentage to shoot for. My instruments are all stable and sound the best at that rate. All of the instruments are out of their cases and on stands to get moisture to the entire guitar. i think that's the key. cheers, Peter |
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resophil Member |
posted 05-19-2004 10:42 AM
Question to all those who keep advocating these stupid perforated soap dish things: How do you circulate the air inside your closed case with all that velour close-fitting around the neck above the pickbox in the neck of your case? Use a good soundhole humidifier! It gets the moisture where it needs to be; inside the guitar body where the raw wood will readily absorb it! Use it with care and it won't drip into your guitar. Overfill it and you'll have water stains or damage. A perforated soap dish up by the peghead should not be thrown lightly aside. It should be thrown with great force! -Phil For years I've advocated using one of those tube-type humidifiers, either a DampIt or one of the ones from the Cleveland Co. Pull the bottom end plug out of it, and strip on a dime store balloon. Soak the tube in distilled water, (available at the supermarket) and any excess will drain down into the balloon where it can be reabsorbed as the sponge in the tube dries. I've used these for 30 years and never had a drip. (or a crack either) |
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Dayjobdave Member |
posted 05-19-2004 01:12 PM
In a pinch i have thrown a sponge (wrung out) inside a zip lock bag that i leave open, and tossed that in the sound hole. if you are in hotel rooms and the guitar is really badly dried out, you can try playing while sitting on the loo with the shower running. i know how that sounds, but i've done it many a time. pretty good acoustics too. |
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Nicolas Member |
posted 05-19-2004 01:56 PM
quote: Interesting. So the "re-humidification" of a dried guitar takes such a long time? And I thought that 15 minutes should be enough On the other hand, being in a dry environment even for a short time mighht be fatal, according to some resources... Anyway, Rockerbob, from what you say, one could make the conclusion that even if you see the symptoms of dehydratation, it's not necessarily a lost battle: the guitar may still return to its normal condition after re-humidifying (except the cracks, of course). Right? [This message has been edited by Nicolas (edited 05-19-2004).] |
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Hoser Rob Member |
posted 05-19-2004 03:43 PM
I use a homemade soundhole humidifier using a small plastic container meant for swimming earplugs, a long good quality twist tie (the plastic box has tabs it'll pass through), and a cut out piece of sponge. Dirt cheap and doesn't need distilled water, though that Dampit/balloon trick sounds really cool. I also use a small smokeless tobacco container by the headstock. As far as rehydration time goes, if I forget to refill it in winter when the furnace is on, it's obvious from the sound. Maximum 2 days to back to normal. In the continental northeast here, I'm not needing it now. The climate is pretty humid until winter comes, which is hell on guitars. I've known of lots of people with cracks, and they're often more experienced players than me. Shame more dealers don't push them on you. |
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Rockerbob Member |
posted 05-19-2004 04:10 PM
re-humidifying the guitar might reverse all, some or none of the dryness changes, but usually, if the changes are not extreme, it will help quite a bit. |
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