1/2 a single sponge (they are 6 per pack at a Dollar Tree) wrung dry/dampened inside a guitar case is enough to moisten a guitar and prevents the top from cracking.
I was up on the Alaska Pipeline in 75 @ Dietrich camp, above the arctic circle and one guy was a player, had a D-45 (pipeline wages made that an affordable guitar) and he had a case humidifier. i thought it was a bit fussy and un necessary, but I now have some nice guitars and realize yeah it's necessary here in Maine Winters. The humidity gets low here during cold spells. In interior Alaska, the humidity hits 20% or less in the Winter...a health problem for living things and guitars.
Wow thanks Kevin. I never knew this about humidity and guitars. My Dad was a guitar player. Have been around them all my life. My two brothers and myself all learned from him. I'm 67 and just started playing again back in December. I've been playing more in the past few months than I have in 40 years. My husband of 40 years passed away 4 years ago and never really heard me play much. It's amazing how much I can still learn. I love following you even though I learned growing up I'm not really a beginer but more so intermediate I guess. I'm having to relearn things I forgot. I have my grandaughter trying to learn now, so I have her following you. I told her you're the best teacher on you tube. Thankyou very much. Ohhhh and would love to see Vicki's face someday on here. You match a face with a voice
Thanks for subscribing and sharing with your grand daughter! You are never too old to learn. May just take a little longer. Stick with it. Vic is camera shy :). But we will see you soon!
For $6.79 you can get the D’adarrio guitar humidifier. I have the music nomad version that is $15, but got it for the D’addario price. The sponge in the music nomad one is nice because when it gets dry it gets hard. It makes it easy to check. However, these are one way humidification meaning they are just adding moisture to the guitar and case. For two way humidification, ( meaning add or subtract moisture to target a specific humidity, you can buy either D’addario or Boveda guitar humidity packs and they will either absorb or emit moisture to target 49% humidity. They aren’t as cheap but they work well and don’t require re-wetting sponges every day. For about $10 you can buy Bluetooth connected hygrometer/thermometer that can store and graph the temp & humidity and see how it’s changing minute to minute, hour to hour, day to day, week after week, etc. You probably want to target 45-55% humidity rather than 40-60%, but consult your manufacturer. They don’t all season wood the same.
From the first hand experience, all laminate guitars also needs taking care of humidity. There's still lot of wood - neck, fingerboard, brige and especially braces. If you don't believe it try it for yourself, difference is obvious and as you see it's not costly
My house stays in the 40 to 50% range so I have no need to humidify. Your setup with the sponge and baggy is the one I would use. Bought a hydrometer from China. It is still around some place.
I live in a travel trailer, so if I'm not playing my 2 guitars are in their case. I ordered 2 from the net that are similar to the glad container one. Since the AC is running most of the time I dampen mine every 7 to 10 days.
Hello, Just found your video for the first time. Liked and subscribed. I am frugal myself and appreciate the creativity that serves the purpose and get a job done without spending bread money. Super useful inexpensive way to keep my guitar in the right humidity! Thank you very much! I received the guitar for my birthday. Very happy about it. I agree that it is never too late to learn new things or start investing into your long time dreams... I have noticed that the frets on my guitar are sharp on the edges. My guitar case is soft , not sure if putting humidifiers inside will help, ... But, I'm like you, if guitar is out sitting on the stand I'll play more often. My question is, can I put damp cloth over the headstock while the guitar is sitting vertically on the stand? Maybe it will help to widen the neck so frets are not sharp anymore and my guitar is happy. Need your advice, please.
Good vid. Question, I live here in NC and it rains alot. I have two singnituare acoustic guitars. Since the humidity is so high here, do I need a humidifier? I keep the guitars in my house out of direct sunlight.
I think it depends on the humidity level in the room where you keep them. Probably not. I live in Ohio and we get all sorts of weather. In the spring when it rains a lot I don’t need one for those months. I mainly use one in the winter when it’s drier
Hello my friend I have noticed that the action seems to be getting higher. I have small hands and I am getting older,thought my hands were getting smaller. Will this help, living in Bluefield w.v and winter is coming.
