How much will humidity affect my guitar?

[Manubro1]

I have an SG 61 reissue. I live in Montreal, Canada and the humidity in my basement (where I play and keep my guitars) can greatly vary acording to the time of year. In the summer the humidity usually stays at around 50-60%, but in the winter, which makes up about 6-7 months of our year, the humidity level can go up to around 70-80%. How damaging can this be to my guitar if it is kept on a stand? Also, are there things i can do to help counteract the effects of humidity on my guitar?

 

Thx.

[flyingarmadillo]

Ideal humidity is 47% according to the acoustic guys so yours is high now. A more general rule of thumb is that if you're comfortable so is your guitar. Too much moisture tends to kill the sound so you might want to think about a dehumidifier for your basement. However, fast changes in humidity and temp will do more to hurt it.

[ironlung40]

45-55% is the target zone for acoustics. I'm assuming a solid body guitar can withstand more variations, but this range would be a good goal regardless of the type of instrument. You can buy a dehumidifier to help keep the moisture down.

[NeoConMan]

Fretboard is the worry in very dry climates.

When I lived in Houston (wet all the time) it was rust that made me crazy.

Mold in the guitar case is another pain in the ***.

 

Keep the guitar clean, wipe it down after you play it.

Delays the action of corrosion.

[ironlung40]

when I posted, there didn't appear to be any posts before mine, so sorry if I said the same crap.

[Manubro1]

when I posted' date=' there didn't appear to be any posts before mine, so sorry if I said the same crap.

 

[/quote']

no problem

[Manubro1]

how badly will my guitar be affected in the long term?

[iddude]

I don't know how you could have so much humidity during the winter up in Canada. I live in Wisconsin and typically in the winter, if the temps are below zero, the humidity in the basement is around 20-30% and lower if the temps get even colder. Perhaps you have a humidifier with your furnace that is putting too much moisture into the air. During the summer, the humidity can get "sticky"; a dehumidifier is a good investment.

 

The previous posts are accurate in that the ideal humidity is around 45% and to avoid any sudden increase/decrease in either humidity or temperature. I use a dehumidifier in my small "therapy" room during the summer months. During the winter I use the small humidifiers to use inside the case. You can monitor the humidity in the case by using a humidifier gauge. In my experience, the humidity doesn't vary much if you keep your guitar in a case that is humidified.

 

The issue of where you store your guitar has been addressed in numerous threads in the past. IMO it's best not to "store" your guitar on a stand for various reasons such as it collecting dust and possibly getting bumped and getting dinged/damaged.

[jimmiJAMM]

When life gives you humidity and mildew, grow mushrooms.

[Mister Scary]

I'm not sure it's making a difference, but I keep a packet of Silica Gel inside my case. It's used to "control local humidity in order to avoid spoilage or degradation of some goods": http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silica_gel

 

Of course, I always wipe down my guitar after playing and store it in the case too.

[NeoConMan]

Anything will help.

 

But that little pack of silica desiccant is probably long saturated and doing nothing for you.

 

Years ago I had a couple big bags - about one pound each - of silica I kept in my cases.

Never could tell if it did any good.

 

They were designed to be heated and regenerated in the oven.

400 degrees for 20 minutes or something - but they would stink like hell.

 

I finally moved to the desert - no more troubles.

[shrekfingers]

hey my first post....kewl... I use one of these in my safe, since its concrete lined it release moisture inside, bad for papers, works pretty slick. After the beads change color you plug it it for a hour or so and it recharges itself. I also keep my guitars in a man cave in the basement so I am thinking of trying one in the cases.

 

http://www.eva-dry.com/

[uyasgali]

I don't think humidity is a huge issue think New Orleans in the summer without air conditioning or Miami or any really humid places. Rapid changes may be a problem but other than that stuff may grow on your guitars.

 

Temperature changes especially drastic and quick will ruin any intrument...

[Southpa]

I live near the ocean and SE winds periodically bring rains, sometimes for long periods of time. I used to live in a small ground level apartment, northern exposure = NO SUN, for a number of years. A friend gave me a dehumidifier. I was really surprised to find about a quart of water in the pan after running the thing for only 3 or 4 hours!! But through all that I haven't really experienced any problems with my guitars.

 

I would think that excessive dryness would be more of a peril. I've heard of fret ends protruding on non-bound necks etc. I keep a bag of silica-gel desiccant in a few acoustic guitar cases anyway.