Martin
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Post by Martin on Aug 26, 2018 16:25:31 GMT
Hmm....over the past couple of months, the humidity level here (indoors) has consistently been between 65-75% RH. I usually have my guitars out, but have taken to putting them in cases...having done some string changes in preparation fo Halifax this year, I have noticed that several of these guitars are showing a significant increase in string height - nothing drastic, but a noticable movement of 0.5mm or thereabouts.
Can I confidently assume this will rectify itself as the RH drops (now seems to hover around 50-55%), or is some major surgery in the pipeline? How long might an adjustment the other way take to become effective?
The two or three guitars I am monitoring also have very straight necks with very little relief so no truss rod adjustment is possible, and I'm loathe to begin sanding saddles.
I have already sanded one saddle on a guitar I'd been meaning to get around to for a while and I'm now concerned I might have taken too much off if the humidity change is yet to take effect.
I've never really bothered about this or taken too much notice before, but this early hot weather combined with July and August high humidity seems to have done something.
Am I imagining things and how soon should I contact the local institution to take me away?
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Post by Amit on Aug 26, 2018 19:19:26 GMT
Hey Martin I've been monitoring things this end too - my guitars are incredibly light and prone to slight changes in action with the higher humidity - not a big change, but noticeable for sure. I've got a small dehumidifier which has helped drop things down to around 50-55% (it was hovering around 67%). I had the same thing happen earlier this year, the action came up with the humidity, and after dropping it in the room with a dehumidifier, and popping a few silica gel packets into my guitar case, where my guitars live when not being played, the action came back down again - so in my opinion, I think your guitars will rectify themselves if you manage to drop down that humidity. These are the silica gel packets I've been using - www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B071DDYFNS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 you can 'recharge' them in the microwave. Hope that helps, I don't think you're imagining things but it's certainly reversible. Cheers Amit
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Martin
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Post by Martin on Aug 26, 2018 21:22:36 GMT
Thanks Amit , it's reassuring to know it's not just me, or that my guitars may not be spontaneously imploding I think I have a dehumidifier in the shed somewhere, and I just ordered those silica gel packs Martin
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Post by Amit on Aug 26, 2018 22:10:41 GMT
Thanks Amit , it's reassuring to know it's not just me, or that my guitars may not be spontaneously imploding I think I have a dehumidifier in the shed somewhere, and I just ordered those silica gel packs Martin Great stuff, and no probs!
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Phil Taylor
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Post by Phil Taylor on Aug 26, 2018 22:18:40 GMT
This last two weeks I have seen high humidity levels here in high 60's and once or twice in the low 70's. Whilst I haven't felt any change in action the sound of my guitars particularly the rosewood one have been a bit 'wooly' unless it also affects my hearing My device is only a digital one and not calibrated so i just use it as a general guide whether or not to keep them in their cases when not being played. I have had at least one acoustic guitar for the last 30 years without any problems so not overly concerned. Phil
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alig
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Post by alig on Sept 10, 2018 7:24:12 GMT
Don’t bother John, it’s really not necessary. If you lived in Texas then yeh, you might need to follow all the advice given on making sure your guitars are humidified, or dehumidified. I swallowed all the hyped when I once owned a Taylor, but have never bothered for the last 7 years or so, and nothing untoward has ever happened to my instruments. Not necessary in this country. Actually....... I live in a new build house which is all-singing and dancing in the insulation/heating department. The downside, and you really couldn't make this up, is that when the swish boiler is working over the Winter it has the additional benefit of being a rather good dehumidifier. Had to get some meters which show that it gets down to 30% over the Winter. So I, here on the North West coast of Scotland, have had to invest in a humidifier. As I said, the 'Couldn't make it up' folder is bulging... Point is, for the sake of peace of mind, a couple of meters would be a sound investment. Just, y'know, in case. Best aye!
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Andy P
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Post by Andy P on Sept 12, 2018 21:24:53 GMT
[quote author=" Martin"Am I imagining things and how soon should I contact the local institution to take me away?[/quote] Martin, I discharged myself from my local institution after sorting out my guitars' humidity issues with some humidity control units, so there's a spare bed if you need it 😊
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