Customer Service - Temperature and guitars

[Headstock]

This one is for Customer Service.

My guitars are in the basement of my home where it is a balmy 62 degrees these days. Should I be storing them upstairs? I have noticed the necks changing a little and have adjusted the ones I am playing accordingly. Not sure what the humidity is down in the basement but mine are all electrics, is humidity as large of a concern as with acoustics ?

 

[dfrady]

is humidity as large of a concern as with acoustics ?

Since the necks on are balls have no finish, i would probably say yes. The body's probably not, but definately the necks.

 

[candid_x]

All necks, even painted ones, are effected by temp and humidity.

 

[Lou]

I have mine in the basement as well and the temp hovers right around 60 this time of year. No problems. You will always have a seasonal shift in the neck due to humidity changes. Some guitars hold up better than others. My sealed neck guitars move more than my EBMM's.

 

[Astrofreq]

I'd say it more of a humidity issue than a temperature issue. Get a hygrometer to measure the humidity in the air. Most humidifiers have one built it, so you could just make sure you find one that does.

Like right now, my room is 23% humidity, which is unhealthy for guitars and I'm waiting for my replacement humidifier. I'd also say that humidity is more of a concern with acoustics, because of the thin nature of the body's wood.

Hope this helps.

 

[rrhea]

Here in Memphis it gets cold, but nothing like it can in other parts of the country/world. Nevertheless, this month has been really dry and my humidifier saved the day. My guitar room hovers between 65 - 75 degrees depending on the day, and the best I can usually do is 35-40% humidity with my humidifier on full blast all day and night. That's how dry it gets in winter.

My StingRay had really bad fret sprout (as well as some of my 6 stringers) a few weeks ago until I cranked up the humidifier and now she's back to being like the day I bought her.

Temp isn't nearly as critical as humidity.

RR

 

[Mick]

I simply don´t leave my guitars where I wouldn´t sleep myself.

 

[candid_x]

I had an issue with one of my Silos this winter, which I left out of the case for easy access. The neck had developed a noticeable hump at around the 15th fret where it bolts on. This played havoc with the action. I live in the desert, and this winter I am heating the house solely with a wood stove. The temp when the stove is going during the days can reach 80, then at night drop to 62 or so. Humidity is either dry or drier. Fortunately, after going back to storing the guitar in its case immediately after playing, and storing the case in the most neutral temp location in the house, the neck has returned to normal. I also think that the fresh oil/wax job on the neck helps. Gotta respect yer Balls and handle them with care.

 

[beej]

This is the first winter I've had a humidifier in my basement (where the Balls sleep) and it's made a huge difference. (I have radiators so it's pretty dry in the winter w/ no air circulation).

Bought a big humidifier, set it at 40%, and my guitars didn't take much adjusting from their summer state - that's a change. Normally I've got to tweek them like crazy when the seasons change.

(All except for my standard Morse- that neck is SOLID and never changes. It's crazy stable.)