Humidity Concerns

[mgap]

I have been using my 514ce in a different room because of some remodeling I am undertaking.  My music room is well humidified and I keep it at 45 percent rh.  Now with this different room I cannot keep it at the desired level, it stays at about 36 percent rh. 

I have a Kyser Klassics Lifeguard sound hole humidifier that covers the sound hole and keeps the rh up.  But, I can not measure what the humidity is.  So what do you folks think about this method?  Do you think the neck and peghead are in danger?

Picture of Kyser Klassics Lifeguard:

[timfitz63]

My take on your situation -- and humidity control in general -- is that short-term (a few months or so) variations in humidity from the ideal (45-50%) are tolerable by the entire guitar.  Once returned to the controlled conditions of the humidified case or room, it will quickly recover to normal.

36% RH is not dangerously low from a guitar's standpoint.  And with the added precaution of the soundhole humidifier, I don't think your guitar is in any danger of drying out, even in the long term.  The neck and peghead are generally protected by their respective finish(es); the fretboard is the only exposed wood outside of the sound hole.

I think you're fine.

[Frettingflyer]

I think for short term you will have no troubles. I went years without playing a Taylor I owned in the Northeast. I did not constantly keep up with humidification in the winter, just would wet the sponge from time to time, usually after it was really dry, and the guitar came through great in spite of this. Now I know better, but when I was younger I didn't understand how much damage neglect could do. My experience would indicate you should be fine. My guitar was in its case the whole time.  It was my first Taylor, a 510 from 1990 that I wish I had kept!

[Jersey tuning]

I have a Kyser Klassics Lifeguard sound hole humidifier that covers the sound hole and keeps the rh up.  But, I can not measure what the humidity is.  So what do you folks think about this method?  Do you think the neck and peghead are in danger?

Froggy Bottom Guitars recommends exactly this method.  Just check the fret ends from time to time to check for neck changes.

For further info:   http://www.froggybottomguitars.com/guitar-blog/

[mgap]

I have a Kyser Klassics Lifeguard sound hole humidifier that covers the sound hole and keeps the rh up.  But, I can not measure what the humidity is.  So what do you folks think about this method?  Do you think the neck and peghead are in danger?

Froggy Bottom Guitars recommends exactly this method.  Just check the fret ends from time to time to check for neck changes.

For further info:   http://www.froggybottomguitars.com/guitar-blog/

Hey Jersey that is reassuring to see Froggy Bottom suggests the Kyser.  That eases my concerns a bit.  What with the comments from the others(thank you)I feel a bit better about leaving it out of the case for the time being.

[donlyn]

i think that guitars are a lot hardier beasts than we give them credit for.  just as long as they are not mistreated.

i live in the northeast and use oasis system products for my acoustics.  indoor rh does dip into the high 20's to low 30's here in the winter, and humidifiers are necessary.  summers are relatively humid, high 40's to low 60's, no humidifier used.   at all times i keep them in their cases when not being played.

edit> i also do not use ac in the summer.  bad for me as well as guitars.

[mgap]

i think that guitars are a lot hardier beasts than we give them credit for.  just as long as they are not mistreated.

i live in the northeast and use oasis system products for my acoustics.  indoor rh does dip into the high 20's to low 30's here in the winter, and humidifiers are necessary.  summers are relatively humid, high 40's to low 60's, no humidifier used.   at all times i keep them in their cases when not being played.

edit> i also do not use ac in the summer.  bad for me as well as guitars.

Yes I to believe that guitars are hardier that we give them credit for.  But, they are a high priced item and I to usually keep them cased .  I have grand kids that rule the house when they are here. 

[MikeB]

I don't try to keep my house over 40% RH - any more and the windows start to have condensed moisture, which can run down and ruin sills.  I keep the guitars in their cases and use a PW soundhole humidifier in the guitar, and a soapdish with holes punched into it with a sponge in the head area of the case.
Get yourself a digital hygrometer to keep in the case with your guitar.

[donlyn]

from mikeb,
"Get yourself a digital hygrometer to keep in the case with your guitar."

been there, done that.  i would also highly recommended it.  one for each case.

[mgap]

I don't try to keep my house over 40% RH - any more and the windows start to have condensed moisture, which can run down and ruin sills.  I keep the guitars in their cases and use a PW soundhole humidifier in the guitar, and a soapdish with holes punched into it with a sponge in the head area of the case.
Get yourself a digital hygrometer to keep in the case with your guitar.

That is what I have done the last couple of years.  I put a hygrometer on the piano in my music room, plus I have a couple in the cases(2 seperate guitars at this time) with my guitars.  I normally use the Oasis between the strings and in the sound hole humidifier.  The guitar in question is the only one I am not casing after each use.  At the moment I have been putting it back in the case and I am more at ease with it this way.