Question How to you store your guitar in high humidity climates?

[tjrlogan]

How do you store your guitar in high humidity climates?

Hi,

I live in central Florida where the weather is constantly humid. I just noticed last night that my JP6, which already has a couple of stress cracks by the neck joint, seems to have gotten some moisture under the finish by one of the cracks. It's really not that bad and the guitar is fine otherwise....but I am getting a little worried that my JPX and BFR JP6 might eventually be affected too. Those guitars are fine at this moment. They're kept in their cases on the floor of a central-air climate controlled room. P.S...the weather here has been really wacky the last couple of weeks. I know those up north have it worse, but the temperature has been fluctuating and has dropped to sub-freezing quite a few times. I've noticed that the humidity levels are still quite high even with the temperature drops.

In any case, I was just wondering how others who live in high-humdity climates store their balls? Does anyone have any suggestions to avoid issues with my other prized guitars?

Thanks!

 

[ScreaminFloyd]

The best place is stored in the case when your not playing. I'm on the other side of the spectrum with the dry Winter air. I conditioned the untreated necks before winter and they stay in the case until I play them.

 

[DR5Guy]

It makes sense to buy a small dehumidifier (ideally with a humidistat) if you have more than few guitars stored in the same room. For some reason I don't think a case can provide sufficient protection against humidity changes.

 

[tjrlogan]

Thanks for the replies guys. I'll definitely look into getting a dehumidifer.

 

[ScreaminFloyd]

It makes sense to buy a small dehumidifier (ideally with a humidistat) if you have more than few guitars stored in the same room. For some reason I don't think a case can provide sufficient protection against humidity changes.

"When not being used, your guitar should always be stored in its case, not left in a room's open air. The case slows down moisture loss in a dry environment and moisture absorption in a humid environment. Always latch the case when you put the guitar away."

 

[Astrofreq]

Move to New Mexico and you'll never have a humidity problem.

 

[bkrumme]

It's the humidity CHANGES that can cause issues. If you live in an environment like New Mexico where the humidity is relatively stable year round, you likely won't have to do much, or anything at all once your guitars acclimate to the environment.

I went through this last winter when the air was so dry my fretboards all started to shrink. Here's what I suggest:

1. Get a humidifier for low humidity environments or a dehumidifier for high humidity environments. Get one with a humidistat, or get a hygrometer/humidistat for the room you keep your guitars in. I try to keep my guitar room at about 50% humidity year round, but I've heard the range can be anywhere from 30% to 65% The humidity swings anywhere from 35% to 55% in my guitar room and so far this year my guitars seem ok.

2. Keep the guitars in their cases unless you're playing them. The case won't completely protect the guitar, but it will help.

3. Stabilize the temperature in your home. I had a programmable thermostat set to drop the temperature in my house to 55 F when I wasn't there. All this was doing was making it worse because as soon as the heat kicked on the air dried out and sucked all the moisture out of my guitars. A few degrees difference shouldn't be an issue, but not as extreme as I had it.

 

[tjrlogan]

Thanks for the suggestions bkrumme...makes perfect sense.

 

[peterd79]

i just bought a new acoustic and never really paid that much attention to the humidity... UNTIL NOW!!!

i've gone nuts... (as with anything either i go all the way or i simply don't do it) i'm trying the planet waves stuff right now for in the case to try to stabilize the relative humidity... so we shall see... so far it's never been above 46% so i think i'm ok...

 

[jjames]

agreed totally with bkrumme.
i live on the line of the equator in a beautiful country, Singapore.
But the weather here can get really radical with the high humidity states!
and yes.. keep ur guitars in their cases after they are used and you should not have any issues.
or at least it is vastly delayed (drying of wood), when this method is followed.

i personally have never had issues with dry wood as i condition and wipe down my guitars after use and keep it in a relatively 'humidity free' area in my place. there have been cases of drying RW fretboards in my early playing days due to my laziness of not keeping the guitars in their cases.

now i know

 

[whitestrat]

Actually, in high humidity states like Singapore, the guitars should be kept out in the open, in a shade. Don't keep it in the case as the moisture retention would be a problem. I should also add that my guitars are kept in an air conditioned room most of the time, but out of the case. Especially if you live near the coast. For dry boards, eb's wonderwipes are best!

 

[bkrumme]

Actually, in high humidity states like Singapore, the guitars should be kept out in the open, in a shade. Don't keep it in the case as the moisture retention would be a problem. I should also add that my guitars are kept in an air conditioned room most of the time, but out of the case. Especially if you live near the coast. For dry boards, eb's wonderwipes are best!

The air conditioning acts as a dehumidifier in your case, Lionel. This would make total sense for a tropical climate like Singapore.