Wild Violet
Artist / Performer
Posts: 3,556
My main instrument is: Symonds OM-14
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Post by Wild Violet on Dec 25, 2013 10:36:05 GMT
I never even thought about humidity in dry So Cal, my Gibson was always out on a stand and I never had a problem. I read awhile back that here in the UK we don't have to worry much about it, as the relative humidity is generally where it should be for guitars.
A friend of mine just wrote about all his guitars having hygrometers in their cases that he pays close attention to, and how he humidifies/dehumidifies accordingly. I haven't done anything at all and far my Martin seems just fine. I don't want to cause future problems by neglecting humidity if it is something I should be concerned about.
What is the general opinion about humidity here on this forum?
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maninashed
Cheerfully Optimistic
Mad Farmer Liberation Front
Posts: 4,195
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Post by maninashed on Dec 25, 2013 17:00:39 GMT
I'll be moving to Thailand in the new year and the humidity is regularly above 90%. I don't own a good acoustic at the moment, but I was wondering about it in case I do, particularly if were to take one from the UK. I do keep a couple of electrics there and there's no problem except for screws going a bit rusty, the set up and necks are solid and I've been under the impression that it's changes in humidity and temperature that causes problems but I'm probably wrong. I'm interested in what people think as well.
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missclarktree
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My main instrument is: It varies
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Post by missclarktree on Dec 25, 2013 17:11:03 GMT
I've had my student model classical guitar since 1986 and never worried about it. I keep it out of direct sunlight, but that's about it. I've never had any problems.
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Post by jonnymosco on Dec 25, 2013 20:32:59 GMT
I've been pretty unlucky with humidity recently… I decided to store my guitars in their cases in a built-in cupboard, I thought they would not be subjected to the effect of the central heating; little did I know the cupboard suffered from a leak coming from the roof, the whole back wall was like a waterfall - I was miffed, annoyed and extremely fed up. The hygrometers showed 100% humidity!!!!!! (Don't worry Dave, I keep yours in the lounge.)
Now, thankfully, the guitars are okay, dried out and stored scattered around the house.
So, yes, I do worry about humidity, especially as the Sobell's neck is extremely susceptible to changes in humidity. I'd love to keep my guitars out so I can play them whenever, without having to 'unwrap' them, but have to keep them in their cases.
Jonny
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alig
C.O.G.
Posts: 1,059
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Post by alig on Dec 25, 2013 21:10:43 GMT
What a bummer, Jonny!
My experience has been the reverse - guitars almost always out of cases and sitting on stands. So far so good. I've only really been concerned about taking them out of the country but, as there's no tour on the horizon, it's never been an issue...
However, I'm worried now!
All the best for 2014.
Alasdair.
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Post by earwighoney on Dec 25, 2013 23:38:14 GMT
I'll be moving to Thailand in the new year and the humidity is regularly above 90%. I don't own a good acoustic at the moment, but I was wondering about it in case I do, particularly if were to take one from the UK. I do keep a couple of electrics there and there's no problem except for screws going a bit rusty, the set up and necks are solid and I've been under the impression that it's changes in humidity and temperature that causes problems but I'm probably wrong. I'm interested in what people think as well. Thailand is a country I had a great time visiting and out of curiousity where abouts in Thailand are you moving to? When I was in South East Asia a few years ago, when I was in Hong Kong to visit a friend and spoke to a musician who mentioned that part of the world is a nightmare for acoustic guitars. For my own guitars in London, UK I do have problems with humidity; in particular the OM I have it's neck is a little on the erratic side when the seasons change.
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Post by sigmadel on Dec 26, 2013 3:04:40 GMT
i must admit with my laminated side and backed guitars i never really thought about it but since i got the Freshman all solid its more of a concern as itll be gigged a fair bit . I recently bought a pack of 3 DaDarrio strings and they came with a small dehumidifier that sits between the strings but i wasnt sure whether to use it or not . When not in use the guitars stand straight upright in their cases and inside a sliding wardrobe on an internal wall on the opposite side of the room from the radiator and window and so far ive never had an issue . Itll be interesting what others have to say regards this .
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Phil Taylor
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Post by Phil Taylor on Dec 26, 2013 9:31:11 GMT
I don't worry as such, however I do keep an eye on it because in the past fret ends have appeared slightly. I have one of these: linkI keep my eye on it for low 45 and high 65. I never leave them out if it is getting close to the lower or upper reading but in any case a general rule I don't leave them out if I'm not playing them. Seems to work ok so far Phil
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Wild Violet
Artist / Performer
Posts: 3,556
My main instrument is: Symonds OM-14
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Post by Wild Violet on Dec 26, 2013 10:57:41 GMT
I think I'll get one of those, Phil. We don't have central heating but I'd hate for something easily preventable to happen to the Martin due to my ignorance.
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Post by sigmadel on Dec 26, 2013 14:10:45 GMT
That's a neat little gadget and pretty cheap too .
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Post by vicov on Dec 26, 2013 15:36:07 GMT
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davewhite
Luthier / Guitar Maker
Luthier
Aemulor et ambitiosior
Posts: 3,544
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Post by davewhite on Dec 26, 2013 16:16:34 GMT
Digital hygrometers are notoriously inaccurate. Better to get one of these very cheap analogue ones: hygrometerand calibrate it every week like this: hygrometer calibrationIf the humidity drops below 35% and is staying there then put your instrument in a case with one of the many available case humidifiers. If the humidity goes much above 70% then heat the room until the humidity drops to around 40-50% and keep the humidity range there. I've never tried one of these but at £12.98 they may be worth an experiment along with a calibrated analogue hygrometer to check the humidity range they deliver: Moiss Guitar Humidity Control
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Post by Mike Floorstand on Dec 26, 2013 19:42:16 GMT
I've never worried about it too much but suspect on the whole I may have been lucky. The missus likes the central heating on fairly high at this time of year so even if it's wet outside, it's probably very dry inside my house. And of course some winter days can be very dry outside too.
Fortunately so far the only symptoms have been sharp fret ends and more visible centre seams on the front and back, but I imagine more serious issues could arise if I don't be a little more careful. I used to have a Planet Waves hygrometer but it got lost, so planning to get another hygrometer very soon.
Not sure what the symptoms are of excessive humidity?
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davewhite
Luthier / Guitar Maker
Luthier
Aemulor et ambitiosior
Posts: 3,544
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Post by davewhite on Dec 26, 2013 20:29:53 GMT
The missus likes the central heating on fairly high at this time of year so even if it's wet outside, it's probably very dry inside my house. And of course some winter days can be very dry outside too. Cold winter days with the central heating on and the humidity in a room can get below 20% fairly easily - not good news for thin wood on an instrument A regularly calibrated cheap analogue hygrometer sitting quietly on a shelf somewhere in the room will let you know what's going on. You could probably incorporate one into your nifty plectrum holder design.
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maninashed
Cheerfully Optimistic
Mad Farmer Liberation Front
Posts: 4,195
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Post by maninashed on Dec 27, 2013 8:51:18 GMT
I'll be moving to Thailand in the new year and the humidity is regularly above 90%. I don't own a good acoustic at the moment, but I was wondering about it in case I do, particularly if were to take one from the UK. I do keep a couple of electrics there and there's no problem except for screws going a bit rusty, the set up and necks are solid and I've been under the impression that it's changes in humidity and temperature that causes problems but I'm probably wrong. I'm interested in what people think as well. Thailand is a country I had a great time visiting and out of curiousity where abouts in Thailand are you moving to? When I was in South East Asia a few years ago, when I was in Hong Kong to visit a friend and spoke to a musician who mentioned that part of the world is a nightmare for acoustic guitars. For my own guitars in London, UK I do have problems with humidity; in particular the OM I have it's neck is a little on the erratic side when the seasons change. I'm going to Nonthaburi, just up the river form Bangkok. Not very interesting but a nice place to live, although just about my favourite thing to do there is to take the river boat from Non, right through Bangkok. You get the best views of the city and all for 15 Baht! Acoustics are popular there, you can get all the high end Martins and Taylors and there are a few local makers as well but I've never come across any mention of problems with the climate. The heat and humidity is pretty extraordinary for most of the year but I only experience the fret sprout mentioned above in Britain, probably because of central heating.
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