|
Post by bellyshere on Jun 3, 2019 22:02:47 GMT
Somebody told me today that i should have dehumidifiers in my cases for my acoustics! Do i need them? I have some sat on stands all the time and some in cases all the time. I didn't think it was a problem in the UK?
|
|
|
Post by oustudent on Jun 3, 2019 22:32:51 GMT
Plenty of discussions about humidity, especially last year when it was hot and humidity was very low. I think the consensus for guitars in the UK is that humidity is not something to worry about.
|
|
|
Post by bellyshere on Jun 3, 2019 22:35:55 GMT
Good.I could have searched for that. I'm terrribly lazy.
|
|
|
Post by andyhowell on Jun 4, 2019 8:43:46 GMT
Just keep them in their cases.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2019 9:21:15 GMT
My guitar doesn't have a case, and I am pretty sure I'd pick it up far less if it did! My solution, on advice from members of this forum, has been to buy a hygrometer and monitor the RH conditions over the last year. It's been quite surprising to see the temperature and RH fluctuations, what with weather, windows open or closed, heating on or off, and air-conditioning on or off throughout the last year. I've had temps from 12 degrees to 35 degrees, and RH from 19% to 65%. Hygrometer: www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B06XZYP5FW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00When I invest in an expensive instrument I'm going to get a room humidifier that will keep the room between 45-55% RH all year round. Room humidifier: www.stadlerform.com/en-ch/products/humidifier/eva/information/Only makes sense I think, (looking at my own room fluctuations), if you have an expensive instrument to consider. Having said that, my Faith has been out on a stand in those conditions for three years non-stop now, and is showing no signs of too little or too much humidity!
|
|
|
Post by dreadnought28 on Jun 4, 2019 17:05:21 GMT
I have a lot of guitars out on stands all the time. In my entire life living in the UK the only time I’ve worried about humidity was last year when the Beast from the East hit us. I bought a humidifier then but have hardly used it since and that was for the personal benefit rather than for my instruments. When i lived over the Atlantic it wad a different story altogether.
|
|
|
Post by bellyshere on Jun 5, 2019 10:36:56 GMT
I’ve noticed i have a hygrometer thingy in my guitar room. It has been fluctuating between 45 to 60.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 5, 2019 10:40:42 GMT
That's about perfect for guitars, so I shouldn't worry. Here I had it down to 20% humidity for extended periods of the winter, with the heating on, which made me a little worried, but my guitar seems fine.
|
|
|
Post by dangad on Jun 5, 2019 15:16:24 GMT
If you're guitars are out on stands and your humidifiers are in the guitar cases... you'll be fine...Don't worry about it!!
|
|
mrpicky
Sore Fingers
Posts: 7
My main instrument is: Collings 01
|
Post by mrpicky on Jun 10, 2019 12:55:40 GMT
I'm on the south coast of the UK and the room with my guitars in is normally around 60-65% humidity, which is a bit high. I have only recently started measuring it due to a problem with my Martin Dreadnought Junior which I use as a travel guitar. I can leave it unplayed for a few months and find the action (with a very low saddle height) has gone from around 3mm to 5mm due to the top swelling and the bridge going 'belly up'. Martin refuse to acknowledge the issue as the warranty doesn't cover exposure to 'non-optimum' humidity... (Hence me now measuring it!)
I took the Junior to Scotland last month where the humidity in my accommodation was around 45%, and in the 10 days I was there the guitar bridge dropped back down and the action returned to normal. The guitar was also noticeably louder with more sustain. It got me thinking about the affect on my other guitars, specifically my 2016 Martin 000-18, which is also down to quite a low saddle height. So when I got back I bought a home dehumidifier and keep my guitar room at the ideal 45-50%. I now need to order a new saddle for the 000-18 as that has also returned to where it should be and sounds a lot better for it....
So yeah, it was worth spending £7 on a hygrometer. You may discover you do have a problem after all, but maybe a wet one rather than a dry one.
|
|
|
Post by oustudent on Jun 10, 2019 13:21:59 GMT
I'm on the south coast of the UK and the room with my guitars in is normally around 60-65% humidity, which is a bit high. I have only recently started measuring it due to a problem with my Martin Dreadnought Junior which I use as a travel guitar. I can leave it unplayed for a few months and find the action (with a very low saddle height) has gone from around 3mm to 5mm due to the top swelling and the bridge going 'belly up'. Martin refuse to acknowledge the issue as the warranty doesn't cover exposure to 'non-optimum' humidity... (Hence me now measuring it!) I took the Junior to Scotland last month where the humidity in my accommodation was around 45%, and in the 10 days I was there the guitar bridge dropped back down and the action returned to normal. The guitar was also noticeably louder with more sustain. It got me thinking about the affect on my other guitars, specifically my 2016 Martin 000-18, which is also down to quite a low saddle height. So when I got back I bought a home dehumidifier and keep my guitar room at the ideal 45-50%. I now need to order a new saddle for the 000-18 as that has also returned to where it should be and sounds a lot better for it.... So yeah, it was worth spending £7 on a hygrometer. You may discover you do have a problem after all, but maybe a wet one rather than a dry one. Based on this 60-65 is about average www.currentresults.com/Weather/United-Kingdom/humidity-annual.php#a
|
|
mrpicky
Sore Fingers
Posts: 7
My main instrument is: Collings 01
|
Post by mrpicky on Jun 10, 2019 19:35:16 GMT
Yes, but acoustic guitars are designed and manufactured to be prime within the range of 45-50% RH. 60-65% is not damaging, but long term exposure will affect the tone and action of the guitar.
|
|