Effect of Low Humidity

[Ron]

I live in the south, and it’s gets cold enough here to run a gas furnace. Trying to get humidity into 40’s anyway, but it’s hard. I’m using an Oasis humidifier now, so hoping that too will help.
But my question, will low humidity allow string gap to decrease causing string buzz? And I’m guessing that issue can’t really be addressed until humidity stabilizes in the acceptable range for some period of time?

[Strumming Fool]

Yes,  Iow humidity can cause the action to lower, which can result in some string buzz. Sometimes a slight truss rod adjustment can change the neck relief to remove the buzz. When humidity rises as the season changes, the reverse adjustment can be made if needed. I also use Oasis case humidifiers and find them to be quite effective during the cold weather months.

[Edward]

Hey Ron,

Yessir, low Relative Humidity will cause the guitar top to "sink" as there is a slight built-in arch to it, and the result is your action drops which may induce buzzing.  A simple 1/8-1/4 turn of the truss rod will help reduce the buzzing, but the proper fix is get the RH at least to the high 30s, but preferably in the 40s. 

Is the guitar in the case, in which your case has a hygrometer in it?   If the guitar is out on a stand, then you are measuring the room's RH?  And if in a room, no soundhole humidifier will help (so I assume your guit is in the case?), and your solution is kill the heat vents into that room and run a room humidifier.

Edward

[Ron]

Thanks Edward,
The guitars are in the stand. And I kept the vent open trying not to let the room get too cold, thinking that was also damaging. So maybe I should put guitars in the cases and close the vents.
And then finally getting a good humidifier for the room.
Thanks
Ron

[Strumming Fool]

I store  each of my guitars in its case and use the Oasis case humidifier when the room hygrometer registers less than 40% relative humidity. That way, I don't worry too much about closing off the heating vents.

Hope this helps to simplify the solution for you.

[Edward]

Hey Ron,

Guitar in or out of the case determines everything.

Guitar on stand: close the room's vent and use a room humidifier.  Mount a digital hygrometer on the wall where the guitar is (or wall opposite where the humidifier is) to monitor the room's RH.  Temperature of the room is irrelevant; your guitar isn't going to care about cold, though you might, especially if this is a room you hang out in.  So weigh that, and if you want "some" comforting warmth, then open the vent and get a bigger humidifier that can compensate for the drying warmth.  If the vent remains closed, a smaller humidifier will be able to keep up.

Guitar in case: do whatever you want for the room since your guitar is cased.  Here the Oasis (or any soundhole humidifier) will do. 

Hope that helps you a bit. 

Edward