Humidity, and the general care of your guitar

[edwardcav]

Hi again.

I was wondering if you guys worry about the humidity levels of the environment which our guitar plays and lives in. Some say it should be between 40%-70%. Is this a really big deal? How do YOU keep humidity levels between 40%-70%? What do you use to do so?

Also, with the general care of your instrument; how do you clean it, if you do so at all? Do you wipe down your guitar once you have finished playing? My Ramirez brochure that I received with my gutiar suggested that I place the guitar in a silk-like bag before putting it in the actual case. Does anyone do this?

Basically, I am just interested in how people take care of their guitars. So I am expecting as many replies to this thread as there is views 8)

[adrian]

Hi edwardcav,

We've just published the first of a two-part article entitled "Care for the Classical & Flamenco Guitar". Part one: Humidification (http://www.guitarsalon.com/index.php?site_url=108) focuses on humidification, including ideal relative humidity and how to maintain a healthy level.

Articles like this are published monthly (along with discounts, giveaways, and promotional announcements) in our eNewsletter. Our next issue will focus on general care for the guitar.

To subscribe, click here (http://www.guitarsalon.com/index.php?site_url=81).

You can read our August issue here (http://www.guitarsalon.com/templates/newsletters/030801/030801.html).
We also archive all of our eNewsletters here (http://www.guitarsalon.com/index.php?site_url=26).
Or you can browse our Article & Biography library here (http://www.guitarsalon.com/index.php?site_url=23).

Hope this helps.
Adrián, GSI

[Dimitri]

The humidity level isn't always the same for all guitars. The proper humidity range for any particular guitar depends on the humidity level when the guitar's top and back were actually braced. For example, if the guitar top was braced at 60% RH, then storing the guitar below 40% RH may cause the top to crack.

Conversely, if the guitar's top was braced at 40% RH, and you store it above 60% RH, then the top around the bridge will start to bulge out.

Generally speaking though, most good luthiers take care to brace their guitar tops between 40 and 50% RH. So, if you store your guitar at 50% RH, you should be fine.

If you're that concerned about this, I would call the Ramirez workshop and ask.

[keith]

before i would bag the guitar i would do a test run. the small digital hygrometers are ideal for this. put the guitar in the case and the digital hygrometer on top of the case or next to it (so it reads humidity levels at that site). after a couple of hours read the hygrometer. then get some masking tape or desk tape. place the tape on the hygrometer (but not over the sensor area) and then dangle it inside of the guitar and then attach the tape to the top). after a couple of hours read it. this will give you a baseline of humidity inside the guitar. then take the hygrometer out, repeat step one, and then repeat step 2 only put the guitar in the bag (or whatever you choose to use). this will give you an idea of what happens to the guitar in the bag. be sure to pick days where the humidity is consistent. the idea is to get a before and after affect.

i found a product that i swear by. it is a small portable de-humidifier called eva dry. it works on absorbing glass technology and is rechargable, etc. they sell the portables for gun cases, closets, etc. it is safe--nothing comes in contact with the guitar.

in a standard s.k.b. case it fits perfectly in the little box area under the neck. remove the top--it pulls out and can be re-inserted if need be. put the eva dry in the little box area and leave the top of the little box off. close and clasp the case. i ran several tests and found that it will reduce the humidity inside the guitar by 12 humidity points (say from 62% to 50%). obviously this is to counteract too much humidity issues.

you can find the eva dry product on the web (type in eva dry in the search box). they will cost you about $30 each and are purported to last a couple of years.

definitely do the test. it is sort of like the warnings you get for some products: do a small area to see what happens. worse thing that happens: you bought a digital hygrometer you needed anyways.

8) for moderate humidity levels; :twisted: for extremes

[keith]

if it was not clear from my response, when you test the humidity levels of the guitar (in a bag, not in a bag) the guitar should be inside the case with the clasps clasped. :roll: should have been more clear on that one.

as a side note: it has been a reasonable temp but humid as all get out here in boston the past week and a half. the eva dry's just suck it up if the case is closed and clasped (as it should be for safety). this is what eva dry's say to excess humidity: :P

and no, i do not sell them.