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Keep your guitar humidified!
The number one cause of major guitar repairs is lack of humidification. Humidifying your guitar is an essential step in maintaining your instrument. The best selling Planet Waves Acoustic Guitar Humidifier makes it easy to properly and safely humidify your guitar. The Humidifier hangs safely in the sound hole suspend by the instruments strings so it never touches the body of the instrument. Simply moisten the sponge, install and that's it. The humidifier releases the moisture slowly and evenly keeping your guitar perfectly humidified. When the sponge becomes completely dry, moisten it again and insert back into the soundhole.
Sound hole suspended guitar humidifier
Never touches instrument body
Releases moisture evenly
Sponge Style Humidifier
Safe for all acoustic guitars
Read the Flatpicking Guitar Magazine Article about Guitar Humidification: (by Scott MacDonald)
The single most important thing you can do to protect your guitar is to learn about humidity control. As a custom guitar maker and authorized repairman for many guitar manufacturers, I have all too often seen the serious damage caused by lack of moisture in the home.
Most acoustic guitars are built in a relative humidity (RH) range of 45%-50%. This range is right in the middle of the average yearly climate swing in countries where guitar is most popular. The danger to your guitar occurs during the fall, winter, and early spring heating seasons. The colder it is outside, and the more you need to heat your home, the drier the air becomes in your home. It can often drop to less than half of the RH of the factory.
When the RH in your home drops to 35% or lower, look out! The guitarʼs top will start to sink in, the neck angle can change, cracks often occur in the top, the bridge can lift from the top, and action will drop, causing fret buzz. Most guitar manufacturers will not honor warranties if you allow your guitar to dry out like this, and the resulting
repairs can be very expensive. An “in the guitar body” humidity control device like the Planet Waves Acoustic Guitar Humidifier is essential if you want your guitar to be safe and healthy.
There are several brands and designs available, but stick to the ones that go INSIDE the guitar body. There are some humidifiers on the market that go in the case or accessory compartment. While these will help with the ambient humidity in the case (this will be better than nothing, and does help keep the guitarʼs neck humidified), these “out of the guitar” humidifiers do not get into the body sufficiently to keep the delicate tone woods stable and safe. These are really more suited to use in electric guitar cases.
A properly used humidity device will protect your guitar even in the driest environments, “properly” means that you keep it adequately filled with water. The thing I like about the Planet Waves humidifier is that you canʼt overfill it. Once a week, just squeeze in water with the included syringe (over the sink) and excess water will vent out of the unit. Wipe it dry and youʼre all set. I canʼt stress enough how important this is. Individual homes and regions will vary, but check your Humidifier often to keep it moist.
For those of you who wish to really be on top of this issue, a humidity meter called a hygrometer is available in many stores, catalogs and guitar supply companies. These range from $15 to $150, but even a simple one will tell you the RH fairly accurately. [The Planet Waves Humidity/Temperature Sensor is available on this web site]. I tell my customers their guitars are happiest above 40% RH. Less expensive, laminated (plywood) guitars are less prone to severe damage from dryness, but still benefit from a humidifier for overall health, action, and tone.
You should not use a humidity device in the spring and summer when the heat is off, unless your home is very dry due to desert climate or extreme air conditioning. Though some of your guitars may swell a bit in the
humid summer months, it is temporary and all will be fine. Some people try to control overly humid summer weather by using a silica-gel or desiccant packet in the guitar or case to absorb moisture. This can be dangerous, as it may overly dry out your guitar. If you choose to do this, monitor your guitar carefully.
The bottom line: No matter what season, if your guitar is left in an environment that is too dry, you could be in trouble, and the scars from the resulting damage wonʼt go away and can be costly! Now go make some great music and protect those guitars!
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