Guitar Humidifier

jamieh

Hey all,

I have a Taylor acousic guitar. It came with a guitar humidifier. I never used it and I just happened to find it earlier on.


Is it necessary to humidify the guitar?? How often should I do it? Does it make any difference to the guitar etc??

It's kept on a guitar stand at home but the central heating is on for hours on end for the last few months so I'm guessing that drys out the wood!!

Any advice wud be greatly appreciated!!

LundiMardi

Haven't a clue to be honest, but personally i would always keep my guitars in their cases when not being used, of course that's just personal preference.

legologic

Yeah. a case can pretty much protect against all but the most extreme elements. If you're leaving the guitar on a stand in a heated house it really would be an idea to use the humidifier (seeing as you have it). As for how often, it's more like how long. In dry environments you can generally leave a humidifier in the guitar at all times it's not being used, bout once a week you gotta re-moisten the sponge, thats it. When the heating becomes less of a issue the humidifier isin't really nesiscary because ireland tends to be fairly humid. They're not to obstructive or an eyesore and to maintain a guitar like a Taylor it's well worth the small ammount of hassle.

If it's a taylor one i'm guessing it's the spongey stick type humidifier? they're really very easy to use. You stick them in a sinkfull of water till they're saturated, squeeze it drip-dry(really drip dry), then just hang it from the soundhole.

Just googled and found this, a fairly concise guide from Taylor.

Shanannigan

guitar humidifiers are like pacifiers for babies.. they don't really need them, but they think they do... i think they're a bit of a sham to be honest... another thing for Jim Dunlop to get yer money off ya besides plecs and capos... except plecs and capos are useful

Giblet

There isn't too much of a problem in Ireland with excessive changes in humidity and room temperatures, so it's not needed unless you plan to travel a lot.

legologic

True story. I've only ever once seen any problems with a guitar due to climate in Ireland... and that was damp!

Rustar

In cases where humidification is needed, I'm wondering if an old folk remedy would work.

Pipe smokers with tobacco jars often put fresh orange peels in the jar to keep their tobacco from drying out. Perhaps some peels could be put in a drawstring cheesecloth and stuck in the guitar.

Hey, even if it did nothing for the guitar, at least it would smell nice!