Acoustic guitars and humidity?

Halloween · 2nd August 2011

I love writing outside and I live in the south where humidity is well into 90% all day and night. What is the rule with humidity and acoustics? Is it something where they will require more frequent maintenance? Or will it overall hurt the guitar? Obviously strings will rust etc etc. But I'm asking more about the overall condition of the neck and body. I ask because I've really enjoyed playing my Taylor lately but I don't want to screw up a 5k dollar guitar. My Martin has always been my outside guitar. Thoughts?

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Halloween · 2nd August 2011

Well. Nevermind.

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3waytie4last · 7th August 2011

Low humidity is a bigger problem than high for an acoustic.

Beyond that, extreme changes in temperature & humidity can cause problems.

If your guitar is in an air conditioned house, it is likely 20 degrees cooler and 40% less humid than your outdoor environment. Bring it outside in the case, then unlatch the case and put the U-shaped part of one of the latches in the up position to prop up the lid a tiny bit. Give the guitar 1/2 hour to acclimate. You may need to retune, but that's really all you should need to do to be safe.

Halloween · 7th August 2011

Thank you sir. I appreciate the response and your time.

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ArnieInTheSky · 6th September 2011

It's a little late but if anyone else is wondering, the effects of humidity are as follows:

Too much moisture will cause the guitar to soften and it's integrity will get weak. This causes the guitar to warp.

Not enough moisture will dry out out the guitar and the poxy holding it together. This causes cracking, splitting, bridge separating and frets to pop out of the fret boards.

The thing to remember is that wood is like you, it wants to maintain a certain amount of moisture content. I'm not sure of the exact figure but close to 50% humidity is safe, I think they recommend 45%. You could go out and spend money on gauges and meters but I just use myself as a gauge. If I'm humid, my guitar is humid. If I'm dry, my guitar is dry.

Mike_R · 23rd September 2011

Acclimation is the key!

RockstarWizkidd · 24th October 2011

I keep a humidifier in my guitar while it's in the case, and just don't worry about it. I would say just keep it in the case when you're not using it and it'll be fine. the environment in the case will change more slowly that outside, letting the wood settle between indoor/outdoor shifts. I don't think high humidity should be anykind of problem, it's usually low that wreaks havoc.

AndyVanDerVught · 1st November 2011

Interesting and helpful topic!

Good to know.
Thanks so much for this!

ProPower · 1st November 2011

In general 40 to 60% humidity is the sweet spot. The lighter built the guitar (think boutique) the larger the risk........

chrissyb · 6th November 2011

I'm a +1 for keeping it in the case. It's nice to have them out looking pretty on the stands, but I feel it's the most sensible option generally, especially if you really care for that instrument.

2nd August 2011	#1
Halloween Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2009 Posts: 1,024 Thread Starter 1 Review written	Acoustic guitars and humidity? I love writing outside and I live in the south where humidity is well into 90% all day and night. What is the rule with humidity and acoustics? Is it something where they will require more frequent maintenance? Or will it overall hurt the guitar? Obviously strings will rust etc etc. But I'm asking more about the overall condition of the neck and body. I ask because I've really enjoyed playing my Taylor lately but I don't want to screw up a 5k dollar guitar. My Martin has always been my outside guitar. Thoughts? Sent from my PC36100 using Gearslutz.com App __________________ The mix is ALLLLLLLLLLMOSSSTTTT 'perfect'.

7th August 2011	#3
3waytie4last Gear maniac Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 165	Low humidity is a bigger problem than high for an acoustic. Beyond that, extreme changes in temperature & humidity can cause problems. If your guitar is in an air conditioned house, it is likely 20 degrees cooler and 40% less humid than your outdoor environment. Bring it outside in the case, then unlatch the case and put the U-shaped part of one of the latches in the up position to prop up the lid a tiny bit. Give the guitar 1/2 hour to acclimate. You may need to retune, but that's really all you should need to do to be safe. __________________ "I like bass lines. They're good, because for people who don't understand what's going on in the rest of the song, there's always the bass line." - FZ

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6th September 2011	#5
ArnieInTheSky Gear maniac Joined: Jul 2006 Location: K-Dubs, Canader Posts: 173	It's a little late but if anyone else is wondering, the effects of humidity are as follows: Too much moisture will cause the guitar to soften and it's integrity will get weak. This causes the guitar to warp. Not enough moisture will dry out out the guitar and the poxy holding it together. This causes cracking, splitting, bridge separating and frets to pop out of the fret boards. The thing to remember is that wood is like you, it wants to maintain a certain amount of moisture content. I'm not sure of the exact figure but close to 50% humidity is safe, I think they recommend 45%. You could go out and spend money on gauges and meters but I just use myself as a gauge. If I'm humid, my guitar is humid. If I'm dry, my guitar is dry.

23rd September 2011	#6
Mike_R Gear Head Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 31	Acclimation is the key!

24th October 2011	#7
RockstarWizkidd Gear nut Joined: Oct 2011 Location: Cleveland Posts: 114	I keep a humidifier in my guitar while it's in the case, and just don't worry about it. I would say just keep it in the case when you're not using it and it'll be fine. the environment in the case will change more slowly that outside, letting the wood settle between indoor/outdoor shifts. I don't think high humidity should be anykind of problem, it's usually low that wreaks havoc.

1st November 2011	#8
AndyVanDerVught Gear interested Joined: Oct 2011 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 6	Interesting and helpful topic! Good to know. Thanks so much for this!

1st November 2011	#9
ProPower Gear maniac Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 201	In general 40 to 60% humidity is the sweet spot. The lighter built the guitar (think boutique) the larger the risk........

6th November 2011	#10
chrissyb Gear Head Joined: Dec 2010 Location: Greece Posts: 47	I'm a +1 for keeping it in the case. It's nice to have them out looking pretty on the stands, but I feel it's the most sensible option generally, especially if you really care for that instrument.