Showing posts with label guitar humidifier. Show all posts
Showing posts with label guitar humidifier. Show all posts

Monday, November 4, 2013

Do I really need a guitar humidifier?

guitar humidifier
 on Oasis Guitar Humidifier - luchtvochtigheid op niv :: Totaalzoeker
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null


I leave my guitar on a guitar stand, not in a case. I live in northern California if it matters.

Also, I leave my ukulele in a very thin case on top of my dresser. I don't fully zip up the case. I crack open about 5 inches for my ukulele to get some air.

Do you think I need a humidifier for either of them?



Answer
Guitars (and ukes) were made and like to live at a humidity level of around 40%-50%. In colder weather, the air loses it's ability to hold as much moisture and the humidity (even indoors) falls. If the humidity in your house is within that 40%-50% range, you don't need to humidify your instruments. I live in VT and during the winter, the indoor humidity falls to 10%. I have humidifiers in each acoustic guitar case.

Wood expands and contracts as it absorbs moisture from the air. In low humidity, the wood shrinks. This can cause problems because the different parts of the guitar don't shrink at a uniform rate. In extreme cases, the wood can crack, or the interior bracing can fail. Laminate guitars (the cheaper ones) are less prone, but not immune to humidity issues.

There are a couple of signs that your guitar might need a humidifier. On a solid wood top, you can see that the surface develops small ripples that correspond to the lines in the grain. Normally, the top should be mirror smooth. The neck also shrinks, but the frets don't. If you run your hand up and down the edge of the neck and the frets feel sharp, you need to humidify.

You don't need to buy a humidifier. A slightly damp sponge inside a zip-lock baggie with a few pinholes will work fine. Put this in your case along with your instrument and keep the lid closed. BTW, even if the humidity isn't an issue, it's not recommended to leave your guitar on a stand. Stands are intended to hold your guitar while you take a short break from playing....not for long term storage. Aside from the dust issue, it's just too easy for stands to fall over, or something knock into them. It only takes one accident to learn the value of storing the guitar in the case.....



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Wednesday, October 23, 2013

My Planet Waves Acoustic Guitar Humidifier seems to be growing mold. What can I do to get rid of it?

guitar humidifier
 on humidifiers for acoustic guitar, guitar humidifiers
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James E


I don't feel like buying another, because I already have two... Is there anything I could do to reduce the mold on the humidifier?


Answer
This could happen if you use tap water or if you keep it too wet.
Some people use a couple drops of bleach in their water, when they see mold, and it usually clears up. You may need more bleach if there is excessive mold.

Once clean, to keep mold at bay...............
You can try letting it dry out completely from time to time.
Some peole use a hairdryer to get that done, just don't melt it.
You might try putting about 2 drops of bleach in a gallon jug of distilled water. That should help keep it clear up.

Good luck.



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Thursday, October 10, 2013

How should I use a guitar humidifier without causing "water damage" to my guitar?

guitar humidifier
 on Planet Waves Acoustic Guitar Humidifier Instructions
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Great Gig


The guy at the store warned me that if the humidifier causes water damage they're not responsible, but I want to keep my new thousand dollar Martin in good humidity. Do any of you have any tips on where to place it and advice on what not to do?
This is similar to my specific humidifier:
http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/product/Dampit-Cello-Humidifer?sku=360181



Answer
Without a lot more info, it is not easy to give a specific answer.

your guitar wants to see "average" temps and humidity, just like us.
NOT extremes.

It likes humidity between 35%-60%

it can handle extremes, for short periods, but doesn't like them, should not be stored in them.

If your humidity is above 40-50%, you don't want to add anymore humidity.

We don't know what the "average" humidity is in your area, so we don't have much to go with.

In Az, you have to add a lot of humidity, in the early summer, when you run the air conditioner, (unless you use an evaporative cooler)
and in the winter, when you run the heat.
Heaters just suck all the humidity out of the air.
In the North, in winter, when it gets below zero, it is not uncommon to see 5% humidity in the house, even tho the weatherman may say it's 50% outside.
Then you need to add a lot of water, or your guitar will probably crack.

In Fl, Houston, La, etc, the humidity is so high, most of the year, you don't need to add much, if any !!!

If the humidity is already over 40%, DO NOT add anymore.
That is when the store was talking about, when they said "water damage".
Too much humidity, over a long span, will weaken the wood, the top may raise up, the neck will probably move, lots of bad things can happen. Guitars are made of wood, and it moves, just like the wood in doors and windows.

It's too bad the store didn't explain all this better, as so much depends on where you live, what time of year it is, what type of heat/air you use, and how often, MANY variables, that we don't know????.

hard to answer in a short post



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Monday, October 7, 2013

My Planet Waves Acoustic Guitar Humidifier seems to be growing mold. What can I do to get rid of it?

guitar humidifier
 on Planet Waves Acoustic Guitar Humidifier kopen? Bestel online ...
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James E


I don't feel like buying another, because I already have two... Is there anything I could do to reduce the mold on the humidifier?


Answer
This could happen if you use tap water or if you keep it too wet.
Some people use a couple drops of bleach in their water, when they see mold, and it usually clears up. You may need more bleach if there is excessive mold.

Once clean, to keep mold at bay...............
You can try letting it dry out completely from time to time.
Some peole use a hairdryer to get that done, just don't melt it.
You might try putting about 2 drops of bleach in a gallon jug of distilled water. That should help keep it clear up.

Good luck.



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Sunday, September 29, 2013

How should I use a guitar humidifier without causing "water damage" to my guitar?

guitar humidifier
 on Guitar_Humidifier
guitar humidifier image



Great Gig


The guy at the store warned me that if the humidifier causes water damage they're not responsible, but I want to keep my new thousand dollar Martin in good humidity. Do any of you have any tips on where to place it and advice on what not to do?
This is similar to my specific humidifier:
http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/product/Dampit-Cello-Humidifer?sku=360181



Answer
Without a lot more info, it is not easy to give a specific answer.

your guitar wants to see "average" temps and humidity, just like us.
NOT extremes.

It likes humidity between 35%-60%

it can handle extremes, for short periods, but doesn't like them, should not be stored in them.

If your humidity is above 40-50%, you don't want to add anymore humidity.

We don't know what the "average" humidity is in your area, so we don't have much to go with.

In Az, you have to add a lot of humidity, in the early summer, when you run the air conditioner, (unless you use an evaporative cooler)
and in the winter, when you run the heat.
Heaters just suck all the humidity out of the air.
In the North, in winter, when it gets below zero, it is not uncommon to see 5% humidity in the house, even tho the weatherman may say it's 50% outside.
Then you need to add a lot of water, or your guitar will probably crack.

In Fl, Houston, La, etc, the humidity is so high, most of the year, you don't need to add much, if any !!!

If the humidity is already over 40%, DO NOT add anymore.
That is when the store was talking about, when they said "water damage".
Too much humidity, over a long span, will weaken the wood, the top may raise up, the neck will probably move, lots of bad things can happen. Guitars are made of wood, and it moves, just like the wood in doors and windows.

It's too bad the store didn't explain all this better, as so much depends on where you live, what time of year it is, what type of heat/air you use, and how often, MANY variables, that we don't know????.

hard to answer in a short post



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Do I need a guitar humidifier for my acoustic guitar?

guitar humidifier
 on guitar humidifier
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Johnny


I have a really expensive maple-body acoustic guitar. I live in LA, but much of the time, the airconditioning is on in my house, and whenever I'm not playing the guitar it's in its case under a table. Do I really need one? If so, what's the best one to get that goes in the case? Thank you.


Answer
Probably not as important in LA, but it never hurts to use one. For all those in other parts of the country where it is starting to get cold, you should use one whenever it is cold enough to use the heat. You can pick one up at a guitar store. They are all pretty similar. No sense in taking a chance with an expensive guitar. I use 2 in the winter months. One in the case, and a sound hole humidifier. I don't want to ruin a $3500 Martin.



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Sunday, September 22, 2013

Is a gig bad enough for the oasis guitar humidifier? How long will it take?

guitar humidifier
 on Grover Acoustic Guitar Humidifier Soft Latex Maintain Proper Moisture ...
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Keyk


I have an acoustic guitar. My gig bag is just a thin bag that does not have any foam or anything inside. My guitar has become dry since we moved to a very dry climate and I recently bought the yellow oasis guitar humidifier. I'm new at taking care of guitars so I want to know if the gig bag will be enough. My guitar is very dry at the moment and I'm worried that it might just end up breaking. So I also want to know how long it will take for the humidifier to get the guitar back to its humidity level.


Answer
If you have a guitar in a case or heavy bag, you can typically begin to see results from a case humidifier in a day or so. The top will begin to plump out and lose the washboardy appearance. Whether your bag will work OK depends on how easy it is for water vapor to escape. You'll just have to try it and see. You can buy inexpensive humidity meters (not too inexpensive though, the ones that actually work tend to run $20-30) to put inside a case. Or else just feel the top. If one humidifier isn't enough, you can buy or make a second one. Or you might consider one with a cover to block off the soundhole.

Humidity control is more of a concern for instruments made of solid woods than for those with laminated construction.

P.S. A $20 Calibre III or IV humidity meter (sold for use in cigar humidors) off Ebay works just as well as a $30 model marketed toward guitar players. And probably comes out of the same factory, at a guess. :)



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Friday, September 20, 2013

Are the new white spots in my 37 year old Martin guitar from a mold or fungus?

guitar humidifier
 on Guitar Stools Guitar Chair Guitar Foot Stool Guitar Humidifier ...
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edward l


I started using a guitar humidifier a few months ago and I just recently began to see some white spots in the inside of the guitar.


Answer
see what you have done now! maybe you need to add a antifungal substance to kill the spores that have been lying dormant



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Thursday, September 19, 2013

Do i need to use my acoustic guitar humidifier in the summer in new york?

guitar humidifier
 on Guitar Stools Guitar Chair Guitar Foot Stool Guitar Humidifier ...
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air rifle


I have a nice acoustic and i have a humidifier for it, but i dont know if i should keep it on all-year-round. Can anyone help me please?


Answer
Actually the humidifier keeps moisture "in" the guitar. Dryness is what makes them crack. If it gets hot and you are using the AC a lot, them probably use the humidifier. The AC takes moisture out of the air. It can't hurt to use it. Always, always, ALWAYS use one or twon in the winter when you use the heat.



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Tuesday, August 27, 2013

How do you use a guitar humidifier?

guitar humidifier
 on Case and Guitar Humidifier Recommendations:
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Pablo Hone


http://i.ehow.com/images/GlobalPhoto/Articles/2227023/PlanetWavesSound-HoleHumidifier_Full.jpg

http://www.long-mcquade.com/files/43/lg_gh.jpg

i already own a guitar humidifier. above are links to the kind i own.

i know it goes in between D & G but do i push it all the way down or do i have it half way (as shown in the first link)



Answer
Hi
For the best possible advice, I highly recommend you contact your local supplier or the Manufacturer...



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Sunday, August 25, 2013

How do you use a guitar humidifier?

guitar humidifier
 on if you own several guitars a better solution is to store the guitars ...
guitar humidifier image



Pablo Hone


http://i.ehow.com/images/GlobalPhoto/Articles/2227023/PlanetWavesSound-HoleHumidifier_Full.jpg

http://www.long-mcquade.com/files/43/lg_gh.jpg

i already own a guitar humidifier. above are links to the kind i own.

i know it goes in between D & G but do i push it all the way down or do i have it half way (as shown in the first link)



Answer
Hi
For the best possible advice, I highly recommend you contact your local supplier or the Manufacturer...



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How do you use a guitar humidifier?

guitar humidifier
 on if you own several guitars a better solution is to store the guitars ...
guitar humidifier image



Pablo Hone


http://i.ehow.com/images/GlobalPhoto/Articles/2227023/PlanetWavesSound-HoleHumidifier_Full.jpg

http://www.long-mcquade.com/files/43/lg_gh.jpg

i already own a guitar humidifier. above are links to the kind i own.

i know it goes in between D & G but do i push it all the way down or do i have it half way (as shown in the first link)



Answer
Hi
For the best possible advice, I highly recommend you contact your local supplier or the Manufacturer...



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Saturday, August 24, 2013

How do i lower the action on my guitar?

guitar humidifier
 on ... of Guitar Humidifier A Guitar Owner Should Know | Guitar Humidifier
guitar humidifier image



Reilly


I have an acoustic guitar. Recently the action on my guitar (the action is the distance between the strings and fret boards) has risen, I've heard it is because of the change in humidity this time of year and was told to get a guitar humidifier. Well i did and so far it hasn't made a difference. Any tips on how to lower it?


Answer
The reason why this has happened is probably due to changes to the neck - probably an up-bow. This can be caused by switching to lighter strings, changes in humidity or changes to the neck wood itself (of combinations here off).

In any case - before actually contemplating adjusting the action (which is done at the bridge saddle and nut), you need to make sure the neck is straight. That is almost perfectly straight - with a very slight up-bow or "dump" in the middle. If you hold one of the E-strings down at the first fret and somewhere around the 14th fret, then you should ideally have just 1-2 mm clearance between the string and the frets in the "middle", around the 7th fret area.

If not, then you will need to have the neck truss rod adjusted. This is no difficult or involved task but it is definitely not something you want to attempt on your own. If done wrong, then you're potentially looking at major repairs. So, always leave it to a pro or someone who has done this a number of times - and who are willing to explain the procedure to you. Eventually, this is something you want to be able to perform yourself.

When the neck relief (the above) is properly set according to the string gauge you use and your playing style, then you can take a look at the action at the bridge saddle. On most acoustic guitars, this involves changing the bridge saddle (the thin white plastic or bone material piece routed into the bridge), or filing it down. Again, this is definitely best left to someone who knows what they're doing.

The final step - if needed - is to adjust the action/string height at the nut (the plastic/bone piece between the tuners and the first fret). This is definitely nothing you would even contemplate doing! It takes considerable skills and proper tools to get the height just right without going too low, plus it needs to be adjusted properly according to your playing style.

There's an east way to find out if the guitar needs some adjustments in this area. When you have the guitar neck and action at the bridge set to your liking, then clamp a capo at the first fret. If the guitar suddenly appears much easier to play - easier to fret - then you likely have the strings too high at the nut. This is very common on most lower end guitars by the way...

If you want to learn how to do these things yourself, then this is an excellent guide: http://www.learnelectricguitarnow.net/master-guitar-set-up



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Thursday, August 15, 2013

Is a gig bad enough for the oasis guitar humidifier? How long will it take?

guitar humidifier
 on Guitar Display Cases - Guitar Display Cases by Ozark Valley Displays
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Keyk


I have an acoustic guitar. My gig bag is just a thin bag that does not have any foam or anything inside. My guitar has become dry since we moved to a very dry climate and I recently bought the yellow oasis guitar humidifier. I'm new at taking care of guitars so I want to know if the gig bag will be enough. My guitar is very dry at the moment and I'm worried that it might just end up breaking. So I also want to know how long it will take for the humidifier to get the guitar back to its humidity level.


Answer
If you have a guitar in a case or heavy bag, you can typically begin to see results from a case humidifier in a day or so. The top will begin to plump out and lose the washboardy appearance. Whether your bag will work OK depends on how easy it is for water vapor to escape. You'll just have to try it and see. You can buy inexpensive humidity meters (not too inexpensive though, the ones that actually work tend to run $20-30) to put inside a case. Or else just feel the top. If one humidifier isn't enough, you can buy or make a second one. Or you might consider one with a cover to block off the soundhole.

Humidity control is more of a concern for instruments made of solid woods than for those with laminated construction.

P.S. A $20 Calibre III or IV humidity meter (sold for use in cigar humidors) off Ebay works just as well as a $30 model marketed toward guitar players. And probably comes out of the same factory, at a guess. :)



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Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Do i need to use my acoustic guitar humidifier in the summer in new york?

guitar humidifier
 on How To Replace Your Guitar Nut Overfile Your Guitar Nut? Learn How To ...
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air rifle


I have a nice acoustic and i have a humidifier for it, but i dont know if i should keep it on all-year-round. Can anyone help me please?


Answer
Actually the humidifier keeps moisture "in" the guitar. Dryness is what makes them crack. If it gets hot and you are using the AC a lot, them probably use the humidifier. The AC takes moisture out of the air. It can't hurt to use it. Always, always, ALWAYS use one or twon in the winter when you use the heat.



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Monday, May 27, 2013

Whats the best way to keep my guitar humidified during the winter?

guitar humidifier
 on Guitar stand, guitar benches, guitar display case, guitar humidifier ...
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James C


I just bought a Godin Seagull 25th anniversary edition, solid spruce top. I LOVE this guitar. I have a humidifier that you keep in the guitar but what do I do during the winter? I live in South Dakota and we have pretty intense winters here. Should I leave the humidifier in and keep it in its case? Detailed answers are appreciated. Thanks guys!


Answer
Case with humidifier



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