acoustic care

[harmonicchaos]

I am going to be getting a dove soon and i want to make sure that it stays in good shape. do you guys have any advice on humidity, care, etc? i've looked it up on the internet but i don't know how great of a source that always is and there is never too much information when it comes to the care of your guitars. I think this thread would be helpful to other players novices and pros alike since we can share advice, tips and tricks.

 

Thanks!

[guitarstrummer]

I am going to be getting a dove soon and i want to make sure that it stays in good shape. do you guys have any advice on humidity' date=' care, etc? i've looked it up on the internet but i don't know how great of a source that always is and there is never too much information when it comes to the care of your guitars. I think this thread would be helpful to other players novices and pros alike since we can share advice, tips and tricks.

 

Thanks![/quote']

 

You'll want to keep it in an environment of approximately 45% humidity. Depending where you live, you may need to add moisture to the air with a humidifier or remove moisture if it's really damp. You should purchase a good hygrometer so that you can moniter the humidity levels.

 

When it gets dirty or smudged, you can wipe it down with a slightly damp, soft rag and then dry it. If you need to polish it, I really find the Gibson Pump Polish (white bottle with orange label) hard to beat. It contains traces of nitrocellulose lacquer, the same finish that's on your guitar. It will help to conceal very small scratches sometimes too. Whatever you use, DO NOT use any product which contains silicone.

 

Avoid using any abrasive material on your pickguard.

 

I use Gibson Fretboard Conditioner on the fretboard whenever I change strings, but you wouldn't have to use it that often.

 

When you receive your Dove, you'll want to change the strings. Depending where you bought it, the strings may be old. I like medium strings and would recommend the Gibson Masterbuilt Mediums or Gibson J200 Mediums. The Dove should be able to handle medium strings without any problem.

 

Also, do not use a strap or guitar stand that has vinyl, plastic or rubber which will come in contact with your guitar's surface and never store your guitar with the strap installed. Extended contact could damage your finish. I like to use all leather straps so you don't need to worry about any buckles , etc. scratching your guitar. I also like Hercules and Quik-Loc guitar stands.

 

That's a start. Any other questions?

[LPDEN]

Planet waves makes some very good humidity control devices, but as Strummer said, make sure you use a hygrometer to see what is actually going on and that your in the ballbark or 45% relative humidity. Your acoustic will thank you for years to come!

[Aaresz]

You should purchase a good hygrometer so that you can moniter the humidity levels.

 

Do you have one you know to be good, an accruate? I've got a planet waves digital, and an analog style and I question there accuracy at times.

[guitarstrummer]

I've got two from Radio Shack and one made by Fluker's (it's actually designed for terrariums). They all seem to work well. I usually run two at the same time, so I can make sure everything's OK.

[harmonicchaos]

my main reason for this post was to learn about humidifiers (i already knew the above suggestions. but thanks anyway.) but i figured i'd learn some other things also.

 

what are some good humidifiers? what ones do you guys use? i'm looking for a fairly easy to use one at as low a price as possible.

[guitarstrummer]

my main reason for this post was to learn about humidifiers (i already knew the above suggestions. but thanks anyway.) but i figured i'd learn some other things also.

 

what are some good humidifiers? what ones do you guys use? i'm looking for a fairly easy to use one at as low a price as possible.

 

Well, that depends. Do you keep your guitar in it's case where you would need a case/guitar humidifier or do you keep it out on a stand where you would need a room humidifier?

 

I keep mine out on stands and have two portable room humidifiers made by Hunter. When I case my guitars for road trips (like when going to the Homecoming), I use the Kyser Lifeguard humidifier and also some homemade models that I made using plastic bar soap containers and sponges.

[harmonicchaos]

one of my main questions is how do you tell what the humidity is?

[guitarstrummer]

one of my main questions is how do you tell what the humidity is?

 

That's what a hygrometer is for. It's like a thermometer, only it gives you a humidity reading, rather than the temperature.

[LPDEN]

As Mike asked, depending on hwere you keep your guitar will help determine what you need for humidity control. If you keep it out, you need a humifier for the dry winter months and possibly a dehumidfier in the sticky summer month. If your run A/C, there is less of a need for a dehumidier since the A/C eliminates a good deal of it.

 

I have several hygrometers throughout my home in NY and in our Condo in Nashville. I also have one's in the cases when I am storing the guitars away.

 

Case humifiers are relatively inexpesive and will run anywhere from $10 to $25 depending upon type brand. Some people make homemade ones, but some are messy and I won't suggest that here to you. Check out Planey waves for in case, that's what i use. And as Mike said, Hunter for keeping small rooms controlled.

[ballcorner]

I would just like to make a point about guitar straps and cases: It is often wrongly believed that leather guitar straps can't harm your finish, when the truth is that some of the chemicals and dyes used in most leather guitar straps can cause adverse reactions with the finish. And, a case is the best place to keep a guitar.

 

So, in addition to the advice received about humidity (#1 issue), never store your leather strap in the case with the guitar, because you are going to store the guitar in the case, right?

 

If you read most care guides for fine instruments you will note a suggestion to keep the guitar in the case when it is not being played. As much as we all love the wall of guitars we have collected, I like keeping guitars in their cases because it has several major benefits:

 

A cased guitar adjusts gradually to humidity and temperature changes.

 

A cased guitar is more or less child and pet proof

 

A cased guitar is not exposed to harmful UV rays or heating from the sun through windows

 

A cased guitar does not get a dusty interior.

 

and lastly . . .

 

A cased guitar gets good neck support that takes pressure off the structure of the instrument.

 

It is hard to put a beautiful new guitar in the case instead of on display, but no matter what kind of room you have (humidity controlled with no windows or UV protected glass etc.) it is still best to keep the instrument in its case.

 

The reasonable alternative I have found is to make wall hanging cases with UV protected acrylic faces. This allows the guitar to benefit from the same standards as case storage while allowing me to display the instrument in full view. If anyone would like information on building a case like this, e-mail me at william.senger@ns.sympatico.ca