NHTom Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 So I recently purchased a used J45 and it's my first acoustic in a LOT of years. I need an education on humidifiers....... Necessary? Any type to avoid? Thanks, NHTom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blindboygrunt Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 Where do you live tom ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buc McMaster Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 Being in the fridge north, the winters might call for some humidification. As long as you keep the guitar cased when you're not playing it a simple case humidifier like the Oasis (I use one of these occasionally in winter) or Planet Waves will work fine. The time spent out of the case is not enough to pull moisture out of the wood. If you're one of those wall hanger types then you should likely invest in a room humidifier and be judicious with your monitoring. That said, I still wonder how it is that there are so many wonderful examples of instruments from the early 20th century that survived untold conditions without any special handling..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olie Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 Congrats on your new acquisition NHTom. I have been using the D'Addario gel-pack system with my Epi Masterbilt and it's been really good so far.I live in Canada where the cold weather produces dry air when the furnace turns on and I found that the gel-packs were starting to become a bit desiccated after a few weeks so I slipped a Planet Waves humidifier into the guitar sound-hole with the packs and it rejuvenated them to the extent that they're good to go this fall and I won't have to spend more money on replacements. I picked up a small cigar shop hygrometer to monitor things and last winter was problem-free.The RH stayed at or above 45% all winter. Just a couple of weeks ago I,too bought a J-45 and that's what's going into it's case. Good luck with yours! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldCowboy Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 Being in the fridge north, the winters might call for some humidification. As long as you keep the guitar cased when you're not playing it a simple case humidifier like the Oasis (I use one of these occasionally in winter) or Planet Waves will work fine. The time spent out of the case is not enough to pull moisture out of the wood. If you're one of those wall hanger types then you should likely invest in a room humidifier and be judicious with your monitoring. That said, I still wonder how it is that there are so many wonderful examples of instruments from the early 20th century that survived untold conditions without any special handling..... If anyone knows, I sure hope they share the info😐 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedzep Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 Won't walk on this thin ice again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hall Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 If anyone knows, I sure hope they share the info😐 Uh, maybe avoiding rapid and severe changes in humidity levels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
splake Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 I also have been using the Humidipaks, Buy them on reverb or Amazon, you can get them cheap. They are awesome, and I also have a de-humidifier for the summer months and a Humidifier for the winter months.in my small Guitar bunker 9 x 12 feet. I also have a Taylor Hygrometer on the wall.that I keep my eye on. someone up above made a great point, How many years did people not have the knowlege to care for their guitars with no problems at all. Makes you wonder, but I am poor and when I can scratch together enough coin to drop on a new guitar, It helps me sleep at night to keep the humidity in check. Just keep it between 42- 50. You will be just fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorrisrownSal Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 I have a Vornado room humidifier now. It's awesome. Absolutely humidify. Ruined a J200 in the 90s because I didn't. Also in case... ziplock bag with holes punched in it and a wet sponge every few days. Two of them. One by headstock and one clipped in soundhole. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blindboygrunt Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 How'd you ruin it sal? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvi Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 beware too much moisture AND, gotta say that I believe the number of acoustics that survived regular use without damage for 40-60 years is a small percentage of total, the few that did are priced accordingly,usually found under rich peoples beds,- lifting bridges, loose braces, seem seps,cracks, warpage are more the norm AND old time players put up with crappy action cause they had to and they wernt spoiled like us my opinion j Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluesKing777 Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 I live in topsy turvy weather zone and use Humidipaks to keep it stable. If you live in dry desert, you would need to replace the packs regularly, but I get everything and the humid days top up the packs for the next day which could be dry... :blink: BluesKing777. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldCowboy Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 Uh, maybe avoiding rapid and severe changes in humidity levels. I'm aboard with that, but still wonder how they avoided the rapid and severe😯 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olie Posted November 24, 2016 Share Posted November 24, 2016 Won't walk on this thin ice again. Is there a message here? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldCowboy Posted November 24, 2016 Share Posted November 24, 2016 beware too much moisture AND, gotta say that I believe the number of acoustics that survived regular use without damage for 40-60 years is a small percentage of total, the few that did are priced accordingly,usually found under rich peoples beds,- lifting bridges, loose braces, seem seps,cracks, warpage are more the norm AND old time players put up with crappy action cause they had to and they wernt spoiled like us my opinion j No question that the so-called 'collector' grade instruments are most likely well out of general circulation and priced far beyond the reach of most of us when they do show up for sale. Most of the player grade guitars I've owned and/or encountered have shown evidence of repair and adjustments of one kind or another through their years of service. Just another part of the game. Considering how the old timers used strings that were heavy beyond the imagining of most of us these days, they likely regarded winter action as a blessing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olie Posted November 24, 2016 Share Posted November 24, 2016 No question that the so-called 'collector' grade instruments are most likely well out of general circulation and priced far beyond the reach of most of us when they do show up for sale. Most of the player grade guitars I've owned and/or encountered have shown evidence of repair and adjustments of one kind or another through their years of service. Just another part of the game. Considering how the old timers used strings that were heavy beyond the imagining of most of us these days, they likely regarded winter action as a blessing. If folks back in the day had been as technically aware as we seem to be these days, I'm thinking that there would be more guitars in playable condition today than there are.So,if we practice smart maintenance today, our heirs will have a better chance of inheriting playable instruments.And the price of them will be more affordable for the rest of those who weren't lucky enough to be of fortunate parentage.Sorry speculators. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morkolo Posted November 24, 2016 Share Posted November 24, 2016 I've had good luck with the Planet Waves humidifiers, just the plain plastic one with a sponge inside. I used to swear by Oasis humidifiers until one fell apart and spread wet crystals all over my Godin. Lucky enough that I decided to do a squeeze test on the one in my Advanced Jumbo and a tiny drip passed through the blue material, that was all I needed to see. For that reason alone I would never recommend Oasis humidifiers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorrisrownSal Posted November 24, 2016 Share Posted November 24, 2016 1479939350[/url]' post='1814434']How'd you ruin it sal? No humidity in winter... heard a crack... sounded like a gun went off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldCowboy Posted November 24, 2016 Share Posted November 24, 2016 If folks back in the day had been as technically aware as we seem to be these days, I'm thinking that there would be more guitars in playable condition today than there are.So,if we practice smart maintenance today, our heirs will have a better chance of inheriting playable instruments.And the price of them will be more affordable for the rest of those who weren't lucky enough to be of fortunate parentage.Sorry speculators. Exactly! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldCowboy Posted November 24, 2016 Share Posted November 24, 2016 No humidity in winter... heard a crack... sounded like a gun went off. Cringed when I read that. I have heard that gunshot-like crack, fortunately not from my guitar, and the damage was awesome😩 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidblast Posted November 24, 2016 Share Posted November 24, 2016 Definitely use a humidifier and cased when not playing. Better safe than sorry... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NHTom Posted November 24, 2016 Author Share Posted November 24, 2016 Thanks for all the input everyone. I appreciate it. NHTom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
62burst Posted November 24, 2016 Share Posted November 24, 2016 Where do you live tom ? BBG- As Tom didn't catch your question on his return to the thread; below his avatar it lists "Alton, NH" (New Hampshire)- a beautiful place in the heart of New England, but also can be a very cold place where many people augment their heating with wood stoves, and the like. Humidities can easily drop into the 30's and lower. One can consider humidity levels getting into the mid 30% range as being in the "you have been warned" range = expect a crack. This primer on the importance of guitar humidification by Taylor is well worth 5 min : Link. The Caliber IV humidity meter, used by cigar aficionados is a cheap enough way to at least keep on eye on how your humidification levels are doing. Since I like to maintain a hazard to walking in the main guitar room with cases littering the floor, there are two warm mist style humidifiers going when winter finally settles in (and when temperatures are routinely below freezing). Another warm mist unit also simmering in the next room when outside temps get even more ridiculous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted November 24, 2016 Share Posted November 24, 2016 Also in case... ziplock bag with holes punched in it and a wet sponge every few days. That's all I do. Once the interior of the case gets well humidified, you don't have to wet the sponges so often. Close the case when you take the guitar out to play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
usernameinvalid Posted November 24, 2016 Share Posted November 24, 2016 The most important thing you need to know before you humidify anything is "what is the humidity in your home" If you live in an area that gets dry once in a while you probably don't need to humidify anything. Cooking, showering and running the dishwasher will keep your house humidified enough. If you live in an area where humidity drops below 30% in the winter when heating your home you're better off humidifying your whole house. Your shin, hair and all wood products not just your guitars will thank you for it. But unless you know what your Relative Humidity is you're just guessing and over humidifying is almost as bad as under humidifying. I keep my guitars out on stands and wall hangers so I can enjoy them and play them when ever I want to. If I have a few minute or waiting for the wife to get ready when we're going out I can grab a guitar and noodle around instead of nagging the her to hurry up. My wife even decorated them last Christmas with Santa hats and scarves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.