ACOUSTIC GUITAR and HUMIDITY:
The ultimate guide to acoustic guitar humidifiers: humidifying, dehumidifying, traveling with your guitar, seasonal changes, and long-term storage.
An acoustic guitar is more than just a musical instrument; it’s a delicate piece of craftsmanship that requires proper care to maintain its tone and structural integrity. One of the most important aspects of guitar maintenance is managing humidity. A guitar made of solid wood is more sensitive to changes in humidity than one made of laminated wood. (Read more about solid wood vs. laminated wood here.) The right balance of humidity can preserve your guitar’s wood and sound, while the wrong conditions can cause serious damage. This guide covers everything you need to know about humidifying, dehumidifying, and traveling with your acoustic guitar to ensure it stays in tip-top condition.
Understanding the impact of humidity on acoustic guitars
- Low humidity (below 40%): Wood can dry out, leading to cracks, a sunken top, sharp fret ends, and a lower action.
- High humidity (above 60%): Excess moisture can cause the wood to swell, resulting in a raised top, high action, mold growth, and weakened glue joints.
Maintaining an ideal humidity level (between 45% and 55%) is crucial for preserving your guitar’s structural integrity and sound quality.
Humidifying your acoustic guitar
- Example: D’Addario Acoustic Guitar Soundhole Humidifier
- Example: Oasis OH-6 Case Humidifier.
- Example: Philips HU4803.
- Regularly check and refill the humidifier as needed.
- • Use distilled water to prevent mineral buildup.
- Monitor the humidity levels with a hygrometer.
Dehumidifying your acoustic guitar
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- Example: Dry & Dry Silica Gel Packets.
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- Example: DampRid Disposable Moisture Absorber.
3. Electric room dehumidifier: Electrical devices that remove moisture from the air and convert it into liquid water (condensation).
- Example: De’Longhi AriaDry.
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- Example: Boveda 2-Way Humidity Control Packs ; D’Addario Humidipak Two-Way Humidification System.
- Replace silica gel or desiccant packs as they become saturated.
- Store your guitar in a climate-controlled environment whenever possible.
- Use a hygrometer to monitor and adjust the humidity levels.
Traveling with your acoustic guitar
- Use a Waterproof Guitar Case/Gig Bag: Make sure your guitar case/gig bag is waterproof, which prevents water from coming into contact with your guitar. In addition to keeping it dry from the outside, this waterproof case/bag will protect your guitar from rapid moisture loss.
- Avoid Extreme Temperatures: Never leave your guitar in a trunk or other place where it can be exposed to extreme temperatures. Both heat and cold can damage the wood and glue joints of the guitar.
- Allow time for acclimatization: When you arrive at your destination, allow your guitar to acclimatize to its new environment before playing. This prevents sudden changes in humidity from causing damage.
- Use a hygrometer: Carry a small hygrometer in your guitar case to monitor humidity levels while traveling. This will help you take immediate action if humidity levels go outside of safe ranges.
- Pack Carefully: Make sure your guitar is securely packed in its case or gig bag with plenty of padding to prevent physical damage. Consider using a flight case if you are flying.
- Loosen the strings slightly to reduce tension on the neck.
- Check with the airline about their policy on carrying musical instruments.
- Consider purchasing a seat for your guitar if it’s a valuable instrument.
Seasonal changes and guitar care
- Increase the use of humidifiers as indoor heating can dry out the air.
- Monitor humidity levels more frequently.
Summer care:
- Use dehumidifiers if the ambient humidity is high.
- Avoid leaving your guitar in hot, humid places such as cars or direct sunlight.
Long-Term Storage If you need to store your guitar for an extended period of time, follow these tips:
- Store the guitar in its case with a humidifier or dehumidifier as needed.
- Keep the guitar in a climate-controlled environment.
Regularly check the guitar and the humidity control device.