Humidifiers.

[Multiversal]

I live in Massachusetts now and I've heard that this is the worst place for guitars ever and that I should buy a humidifer for each guitar.

I've never known anyone to use one where I'm originally from(Mississippi).

I'd feel like a total d-bag to my guitars if I'm hurting them.

Any advice, folks?

 

[pjc812]

Not a bad idea. It got super dry here in Indiana last year and my balls got dried out. I got some of those Planet Waves humidifiers to put in the cases and that seemed to help a lot. I used the Wonder Wipe frett board conditioner on the back of the neck to force some moisture back in too. Did a good job.

 

[Multiversal]

How much are those things? So little money.. so much **** to buy.

 

[Multiversal]

It doesn't feel dry in my apartment at all. I live RIGHT on the water, so I mean.. I dunno? What do you guys think?

 

[pjc812]

Don't go by how it feels. Get a hygrometer, something to measure the humidity (50% being optimal in a perfect world). They should be pretty inexpensive. The humidifiers are pretty cheap, a lot less than a new neck or fingerboard should one crack due to dryness.

 

[TNT]

I live in Massachusetts now and I've heard that this is the worst place for guitars ever and that I should buy a humidifer for each guitar.

Yeah, I understand the concern!! Although I've never heard than Mass. was extra hard on woods/guitars (Nevada maybe).

I keep my ALL my guitars in the same room and I regulate the temp etc. . . I also live by water (Oakland Bay Area), so plenty of moisture in the air. Do you keep the guitars in the case or out? That matters as far as air circulation, and others things, too.

Just get a "room" humidifier if need be. I imagine you can get the spec's (wood preservation and care) on those type of readings, i.e., temp range, humidity, etc. . from EB. Since they have a wood warehouse as it were in SLO. Not sure though?

BTW, humidity 6:30 pm PST> Oakland 52% Fall River 73%!!! Reno 28%

 

[beej]

Yeah, as said I'd just get a good room humidifier with a digital display so you can see where you're at.

That said, you should know if it's dry at your pad. You'll start getting shocks when you walk around and touch metal. Your lips will get chapped. The truss rod on your guitars will need to be tweaked, etc. If none of that is happening you're ok.

 

[fsmith]

Yeah, as said I'd just get a good room humidifier with a digital display so you can see where you're at.

That said, you should know if it's dry at your pad. You'll start getting shocks when you walk around and touch metal. Your lips will get chapped. The truss rod on your guitars will need to be tweaked, etc. If none of that is happening you're ok.

And don't forget fret sprout... When it gets *really* bad dry. I had that going on with your Al when I first bought it. One of the reasons it went back to Jon for a refret.

 

[MikeVt]

I worry about this too...up here in northern VT, it gets pretty dry in the winter. I have a whole house humidifier built into my heating system, and I specifically monitor the humidity in my guitar room. It usually gets down to about 25-30% at the low end. Just to be on the safe side, I periodically (every month or two) wipe all my guitars down with wonder wipes and/or give them all a good heavy spray with Finger Ease. So far, I don't think I've seen any fret sprout issues. On a few of my guitars I can barely feel the frets when I run my fingers up and down the edge of the fretboard, but I don't feel any edges that actually catch my finger. Based on this, I THINK I'm doing ok. I have taken the desicant bags out of my cases too.

We'll see how my two new ones do this winter (my Dargie and my LE). All my other necks are either painted or sealed.

Mike

 

[fsmith]

Mike, we have on of the built-in units too. I just have to remember to readjust between seasons.

When I first got the AL, I just let it sit in my "guitar" room for a week and it started to resolve itself, but you could still feel the frets if you ran your hands up and down the neck. It came from a guy up north, it must have been really dry where he kept it.

The neck on the Petrucci is sealed, but have never had a problem with any of my other guitars.

 

[MikeVt]

Mike, we have on of the built-in units too. I just have to remember to readjust between seasons.

When I first got the AL, I just let it sit in my "guitar" room for a week and it started to resolve itself, but you could still feel the frets if you ran your hands up and down the neck. It came from a guy up north, it must have been really dry where he kept it.

The neck on the Petrucci is sealed, but have never had a problem with any of my other guitars.

Thanks Fred. I'm gonna keep a close eye on them and the humidity this winter and will let everyone know how they did at the end of the winter. Heck, at least it would be a data point and a baseline for comparison!

Mike

 

[Multiversal]

Thanks for all the advice, guys.

My roommate actually has a humidifier in the apartment. I totally forgot that he had one. But, I think I may get one for my room as well. I guess Sharper Image has them?

 

[Multiversal]

No adjustments have been necessary for my necks. Everythings been cool so far.

 

[mbgreene]

Thanks for all the advice, guys.

My roommate actually has a humidifier in the apartment. I totally forgot that he had one. But, I think I may get one for my room as well. I guess Sharper Image has them?

Most general merchandise stores will have room humidifiers as well as department stores, Home Depot, Lowes etc. Sharper Image will just sell you the same thing with a shiny cover for more $.

 

[Multiversal]

The humidity in my shack is around 44 percent.. and I'm guessing that's pretty good?

 

[Mystic-Creation]

The humidity in my shack is around 44 percent.. and I'm guessing that's pretty good?

Perfect!

Most say 45-50% so your there, no worries. Great thread by the way, very important info, imo.

 

[Multiversal]

Sweet!

I'll probably by a room humidifier anyway this week just in case it gets a little dry during the winter.

 

[guitarman23]

man..... should i get out my humidifier? lol its cold in massachusetts, cause i live here too!

 

[MikeVt]

No adjustments have been necessary for my necks. Everythings been cool so far.

I never worry about adjusting my necks. EB's brilliant truss rod makes thus too easy to worry about. My fear is of permanent damage - like fret sprout. We pay a lot for these guitars. It's worth a few extra bucks to get the right equipment to maintain the humidity...

Mike

 

[wired]

The humidity in my shack is around 44 percent.. and I'm guessing that's pretty good?

44% is fine. I've lived in New England my whole life & have never had a problem with too much or too little humidity ruining my guitars. The only time it gets somewhat dry is in the winter, if you have forced-air heat it can get dry (20-25%). The best advice I can give you is to keep your guitars in their cases when you're not playing them. If you do that, you should never have a problem.