Dehumidifiers

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Permalink Reply by John Gundrum on September 27, 2010 at 7:39pm

Well, unless it rains in the room regularly "off the chart" can be no higher than 100%. What he feels might actually only be about 60% or so. Usually the problem for acoustic guitars is the lack of humidity. Overall, humidity above ~55% and below ~ 40% will have an effect over long periods of time. If the guitar is indoors all the time, even several days of rain will not adversely affect it. Especially if kept it in its case when not in use.

Does he have a hygrometer to check what the humidity actually is? Like previously said, keeping the guitar in the case when not in use is the first thing that should be done. Especially in a dorm room and I'll assume with a room mate. What city/state is he in? Knowing that will help anyone who reads this know the type of weather to expect. Winter is very dry and thats just around the corner, so the concern later on may be dryness more so depending where he is.

I'd recommend getting a Damp-It or one of the other products on the market that has a hygrometer gauge built-in. I know it's been humid in my area (SE PA) for a few days now and the most the humidity has been is 63%. The A/C has a dehumidifier built-in so I've run that to help bring it down to <50%.

John

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Permalink Reply by Hird Stryker on September 27, 2010 at 8:51pm

John, thanks for your thoughts. I sent my son to college (Northwest Missouri) with one of my Planet Waves hygrometers and a Oasis humidification system. He has grow up watching me obsess (it is such an ugly word) about the humidity in our house (Omaha, Nebraska, a miserably humid place in the summer)
It isn't raining in his room but he has 75% +/- humidity which is too high. Yes, I realize that when the heat kicks on the humidity will drop but I am hoping that he sticks it out four years and I am looking to the future. For the record I have used Damp-it and I like the Planet Waves or Oasis systems better. Are you aware of a in case system that controls humidity ?
Thanks, Hird

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Permalink Reply by John Bjorkman on September 30, 2010 at 11:39am

With humidity at 75%, he might consider gentle use of a dessicant.

But, as winter approaches and heaters come on, indoor humidity tends to plummet.

Have him watch the hygrometer, keep the guitar mostly in its case, and have a look at the Taylor articles on humidification.

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Permalink Reply by Hird Stryker on September 30, 2010 at 4:29pm

John,

Thanks for the tip. Now one more dumb question. Other then going out and buying new electronics gear (not a bad idea) and collecting the dessicant packets where does one get dessicant is a usable form?
Thanks again, Hird

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Permalink Reply by John Gundrum on September 30, 2010 at 7:18pm

Hird,

Amazon.com has a good selection of desiccants. You might want to look for the kind you can dry out in the microwave.

I've never heard of using desiccant in a guitar case outside of during shipment afterwhich they are usually thrown out. I'd be cautious using them. Start by placing one packet in the case with the guitar for a day and then check the hygrometer. Add one more if the humidity is still high and check again in a day. Repeat as necessary. I'd start taking them out one by one as the humidty gets near the lower end of an acceptable level.

A hygrometer for the room should also be used. The reason is when the room humidity starts to drop, as it will in winter, you'll want to remove the desiccant packets ASAP. I have a feeling the packet(s) will accelerate the drop in humidity which can cause more harm more quickly.

John G.

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Permalink Reply by Hird Stryker on October 3, 2010 at 10:36am

Thanks for your thoughts and time John. I have used those micowaveable desiccants in my gun safe and they work great but I assumed that they were not avalible in a guitar case size. And yes I agree about the room hygrometer. In fact I think the room hygrometer is more important and gives a better "read" about a healthy environment then having one in your case. ( I still use both)

Different subject. Assuming that it it was put in CORRECTLY, ie; not hammered, glued, smashed, pounded, have you ever seen bridge pins break/split? I haven't in 40+ years but my son has had two go on him on his new Breedlove. I'm not bagging on Breedlove because I really like his Guitar and every other Breedlove I have seen, but I have never seen that happen before. You?

Thanks, Hird

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Permalink Reply by Davey C Schrock on October 2, 2010 at 5:58am

I got these packets from planet waves that you put in your guitar case that either drop the levels or raise them whichever is needed.I agree check out Taylors website.The packets last 3 mo.

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Permalink Reply by John Gundrum on October 2, 2010 at 8:28am

Here's a link to the Taylor Guitar Tech Sheets site where the tech sheets and other information can be found.

Be sure to click the "Tech Sheets" tab to see all the various "care and feeding" information.

This information is generic information and applies to any guitar or wooden instrument IMO.

John

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Permalink Reply by Hird Stryker on October 3, 2010 at 10:39am

Davey,

Thanks, I thought I had done a pretty good job of looking around but I missed those and I generally like Planet Wave stuff.

Hird

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Permalink Reply by Gary Pierce on April 1, 2013 at 7:52pm

My son is a Marine and I want to send a Taylor 314 acoustic with him to Okinawa where he'll be stationed for 2 years but I found out the humidity is between 60-90% most of the time. I'm wondering how that will affect the guitar if it stays in the case except when he's playing it? I'm thinking the case will protect it well enough and finding that 50% humidity is actually desirable made me feel better. I assume that they run dehumidifiers there to keep everything from getting moldy but I'm not sure if he'll be in a large barracks like a dorm or what the quarters will be. I'm also wondering how it will affect an electric guitar and amp;....maybe worse?

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