I bought a carbon fiber guitar for my “reach for it” instrument and keep the Taylor’s in their cases with sound hole humidifiers but I will switch after your video to humidipaks
FYI, since the Humidipaks are 2-way you can "replenish" them after they are dry by putting them in a sealed container with a wet sponge. I have 2 sets and rotate them when needed. No additional purchases. 😊
@MusicVillageUSA Thank you! is there any way to swap out these ambiguous pots for normal controls? I hate not having a zero and 10 for adjustment? love the speaker though
Adding a humidifier onto your HVAC system is the solution (Aprilaire). Not only for guitars but humans. My house stays between 40 to 60 percent humidity always. (Humidity level is on thermostat.)
I live in the dread AridZona... I've had ongoing dryness issues that caused problems with several of my guitars over the years. I've used the Dampit, and the Oasis, the Kyser Lifeguard, and several others. I had a leakage issue with the Oasis, which was sad because I did like the convenience of their system. Oh well.. Around ten years ago when I had over 30 guitars in my stable, I made up a whole slew of sponge based case humidifiers using large (like 6" tall) pharmacy pill bottles into which I drilled a bunch of holes with my Dremel. They were super cheap to make, and were actually quite effective, until the sponges became 'choked' with mineral deposits from using our super-hard tap water; after around 9 months of regular usage. It is fairly cheap to replace those sponges, (and the old ones can still be used for housecleaning etc)... I also tried making a batch using freezer grade sandwich ziplocks, where I used a hole-punch to fill them full of holes, and likewise used regular 3x5" household sponges. They were as effective as the pill bottle ones. The Humidipak system is manufactured for D'addario by a company called Boveda; they are now selling direct on Amazon, etc. Their 3-pack starter kit which you show currently (7/94) sells for around 26 bucks, and I think it is rather overpriced, mainly due to their cost of the cloth 'sleeves' or pouches. Those pouches should really only cost a couple bucks a piece because there's not much to them. The 'good news' is that they also sell just the actual gel pouches in bulk packs; I got a 12 pack of the 49%, size 40 for 54 bucks, which comes out to around 4.50 each. They suggest using 3 of them for a typical size guitar case. They want 13 bucks for a single cloth pouch (that holds 2 gel packs) which is outrageous IMHO; it looks like a $5-6 item, so I'm currently seeking a DIY solution to the pouches, and I have a couple pouches from other items that I'll try to repurpose as well. Now I have been keeping hygrometers in the cases, and it appears they are pretty stable at around 50% humidity, which is perfect. My biggest complaint with the Boveda system is that their sizing/pricing marketing approach is VERY confusing, and it is really hard to know exactly what you are. getting when you try to order them online. For example, with the two versions which I bought, both listed as 'size 40', it appears that although the sizes are the same, the actual amount of material per pouch is different bwtween the two, with the bulk pack pouches appearing to be 'less full' than the 3 pack ones. In their advertising, they should be right up front about not only the size, but also the net weight of each pouch which you buy, and that information should also be very clearly marked on each pouch, which it is NOT! So, it's virtually impossible to know for sure what you're ordering online, you have to go with guesswork based on the size of pouch, which is not indicative of what amount of product you're actually getting... Kinda intentionally misleading in my opinion. I should mention that I also keep a very good Kenmore evaporative humidifier going at all times, but here in the desert it is truly an ongoing battle to keep your babies at proper humidity. I have a lovely 1910 Washburn parlor guitar which, when I received it from its last owner in LA, had been so perfectly preserved there wasn't a single crack anywhere in the Braz RW. My luthier (who's been 'luthing' for 50+ years) said he'd never seen anything like it. However, after just 3 months here in the desert, I can see that it's trying to dry out, which motivated me to invest in the Boveda system. I had been keeping it on a stand, right next to the humidifier, with an ambient hygrometer reading of between 45-55%, but that didn't seem to be cutting it. Hopefully the Boveda, with 3 packets, plus an Oasis, and another of my homemade ones will do the trick; only time (and my hygrometers) will tell. My next step will me to either buy or build a proper humidified display case, either of wood, or maybe a tent type, Ut has truly been a struggle though, and I feel for anyone with high quality guitars trying to survive in the 'AridZona" It has truly been an ongoing struggle. I may even have to try out a carbon fiber acoustic if nothing else works! ;)
When buying a guitar always purchase the correct hard case to go with it and I personally like the humidity packs that automatically adjust. My first Martin had so much humidity my packs lasted five years. They just kept soaking moisture from the guitar. It’s now 9 years old and sounds amazing.
Great video dhude - I’ve a wonderful Breedlove Cascade used only for recording so in mint condition- how’ve r recently I’ve no sound whatsoever from the electrics - taken it to two guitar techs checked all the obvious- reached out to Breedlove they suggested only fix being changing the LR bags pick up entirely - been playing 50 years never had this problem any ideas ? Appreciate whatever advice you can offer - cheers
I dont work there and i dont own one, i do however only own guitars with floating floyds. The High pitched whammy stuff is Highly dependant on how much gain you have dialed in on your amp. This guitar has a built in preamp, giving the guitar more gain, but alexi himself didnt use this to get more gain, he Would just Dial it back on the amp itself since the signal Would have more gain already. In short, all guitars that have floating floyds Can do that if you have enough gain Edit: effects like a Compressor or delay Can also help this Sound cooler and extend the “sustain” of the harmonic
Unfortunately what isn't so apparent about the Humidipak is that if your guitar case is too high or low the standard packs don't work, you need a different pack if the humidity is above a certain limited range to get it within the range that the two way pack works They are decent enough if the humidity levels never go above or below certain levels but you need the special packs if not and this can add cost and you need to keep checking your hygrometer regularly to ensure that what you think is working is actually doing so To be fair they do say it's a system but because they make great play on the two way part it isn't obvious that you need the extra packs if you are likely to have very high or low conditions in certain times of year. The case obviously helps maintaining humidity levels but it does also mean you have to make sure you close the case while playing your guitar
I got the d 10 e new, when delivered I physically couldn't play it! The action was ridiculous high, unbelievable? Don't understand why Martin are letting them leave the factory like that??? So bad
Dampit turned into Damn it while throwing in the trash! Planet Waves lasts about 48 hours(junk)! I have 8 Music Nomads and a separate gauge 24/7. I learned the hard way of all acoustic guitars needing humidifiers after a bridge reglue on a dried out guitar.
Hello! We use whatever the customer requests on repairs, but if you are looking for a recommendation for strings we love D'Addario strings - especially their XS coated strings! They have become the favorite of our technicians!
Using a Road Series on tour. BRUTAL action!! Allen wrench has been lost and I’m wary of messing with the bridge saddle as I’ve experienced piezo pickup failure on individual strings on other A/Es. Should the saddle come out easy? Great playing of some faves BTW 👍🏼
Saddle should come out easily. Most of the damage we see to piezo pickups is due to trying to remove or install the saddle from the side with the bridge pins still in place. Saddle can be removed or installed straight up or down with the pins removed. Having said that continuous piezo transducers that are not individual crystals will only get dead strings if either the saddle or saddle slot are not dead flat where they touch the transducer.