Humidifying Your Guitar

Humidifying Your Guitar

Humidity control is extremely important for your guitar during cold, dry months. Guitars are built at approximately 40-50 percent humidity, and maintaining this level would be ideal for their health. However, when heating systems run during winter, maintaining this level becomes almost impossible. The goal is to keep the humidity as high as you can, as guitars that aren't properly humidified are likely to crack and warp. Each year, I perform many expensive repairs on guitars that have been neglected due to lack of humidification.

Best Methods for Humidification:

  1. Case Storage Method

  • Keep your instrument in a hardshell case with a wetted Dampit or similar sponge-type humidifier when not being played

  • Place the humidifier inside the case (near the headstock or elsewhere), but never inside the guitar itself, despite manufacturer recommendations

  • Check and wet the humidifiers at least twice weekly, especially with very dry heat or poorly sealed cases

  • If a soundhole cover comes with your humidifier, don't use it as it will prevent humidity from reaching the neck

  • For this reason, I don't recommend the On-Tek humidifier

  1. Room Humidification Method

  • Use a large room humidifier in a smaller room with a closed door

  • Excellent for humidifying multiple instruments

  • Must keep the humidifier filled and running 24 hours a day

Understanding Wood and Humidity: Think of your guitar as a sponge with strings on it. When a kitchen sponge dries out, it becomes distorted and won't return to its original shape. The same happens to wood that's cut and glued at 50 percent humidity, especially when under 100-200 pounds of string tension.

Important Notes:

  • Begin humidifying on the first day you turn on heat for the cold season

  • Humidification isn't necessary when the heat is off

  • Avoid placing wet items directly inside the guitar

  • Humidifiers only work effectively when used in a hardshell case

Interested in learning more about repairing and maintaining your guitar? Check out Geoff’s guitar workshop.

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