Moving guitars to damp apartment

MetalDog

Right guys as the title says I may be moving into a damp apartment in a few months, its so damp there's mould on the walls, a lot of condensation and the people who already live there have a dehumidifier going 24/7.

I want to know how dampness will affect the woods in an old and sentimentally valuable acoustic and also an solidbody electric.

Is there anything I can do to prevent damage/warping to these guitars?

Both are always kept in hard cases and are very well looked after.

Grolschevik

Whatever about the guitars, don't move in. The place you describe is more or less unfit for human habitation under our landlord/tenant law and your lungs and sinuses will thank you if you don't.

brendansmith

There are a few things you can do to protect your guitars alright but you need to get the following items:

*A can of WD-40
*A tub of mild polishing agent
*A shammy cloth
*A roll of double sided sticky tape
*2 bars of dove soap
*A roll of cling film
*A steel wool scourer

When you have these item you will be able to get to work.

First time you want to do is not move into a damp apartment with water running down the walls and previous tenants who have a dehumidifier on 24/7 because its is terrible for your health and your guitars and amps with turn to sh1t.

Hope this helps.
Its worked wonder for me in the past.

Malice

I would echo what Grolschevik said. If you can, take the time to find somewhere more suitable. I've learnt through bitter experience not to jump at the first place I come across when house-hunting.

If you have to move in for whatever reason then I would imagine that keeping a few sachets of silica gel inside the guitar cases will help.

wobbles

Dont move in man. Your guitars will be no good to you if your too sick to play them.

MetalDog

Grolschevik wrote: »

Whatever about the guitars, don't move in. The place you describe is more or less unfit for human habitation under our landlord/tenant law and your lungs and sinuses will thank you if you don't.

OK I think I may have overstated the dampness thing, it's not a haven for Tuberculosis or anything it just needs to be well aired thats all. Trust me its not harmful to human health and there's no water damage coming through the ceiling.

Grolschevik

If it's not a problem for human health, then it probably won't be an issue for your guitars. Though it must be enough of an issue for you to be asking the question...

That said, I'd say:

• Keep them in their cases,
• Use the silica gel ,
• Keep the cases/guitars well away from the worst spots,
• Keep using the dehumidifier if possible.*

*Though air that's too dry may be problematic also. But given what you've said, this probably won't be an issue.

gerarda

MetalDog wrote: »

its so damp there's mould on the walls, a lot of condensation and the people who already live there have a dehumidifier going 24/7.

As per previous posts I'd be more concerned about my personal health! Obviously its a serious problem with a dehumidifier going 24/7 mate. Surely you can find somewhere else?

ciaranmac

Get the landlord to fix it *before* you move in, remind them there are thousands of empty houses and flats all over the country to choose from. If it can't be fixed, find one of those other flats instead...

artvandulet

Just get a couple of humidity packs for your guitars and leave them in the guitars in their cases. They're not too expensive.
Something like this: http://store.daddario.com/category/283852

MetalDog

Ok its unlikely I'll be moving in there but thanks anyway! Will take your advice if I do.