Andrew Posted June 28, 2008 Share Posted June 28, 2008 made the leap yesterday and bought my first 'real' guitar. It's beautiful, I watched it come right out of the box. I saw the serial number 0113803 and as an old school star wars fan i knew it was the one (as in thx-1138.). plays like a dream! wow. then i got a lesson in solid wood guitar care from the salesguy...then i read all the stuff about humidity. now im afraid to play it! well no not really but apparently i need to be cautious of humidity and temperature changes. i got an oasis thingy which i think will be more needed in the winter. so whats the deal? am i allowed to play this thing outside on a nice summer day? my first gibson.....been wanting one since i was 14. yay! (btw i just took home the guitar and case..not the box...i cant find a warranty card...the store will back me up on anything but do i need this?) also i get a free set up..he said wait 10 months then bring it in. 10 months, really? : D i'll post pictures as soon i figure out how do do that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitarstrummer Posted June 28, 2008 Share Posted June 28, 2008 There should have been paperwork in the case, which includes warranty information. Not sure how your warranty works in Canada, but you can register the warranty online using the Gibson website. But, you'll need the model code number that should have been on the paperwork in the case. Have your dealer get you the paperwork. I wouldn't wait ten months for a set up. Not sure why the dealer would have suggested that you wait that long. The action's probably high from the factory and a good set up will allow you to play it right from the start. Post some pictures when you can. Would love to see it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Garrett Posted June 28, 2008 Share Posted June 28, 2008 Congrats on your new Axe! I know you are proud and having a ball. I think it's alright to play outside during the summer just try to keep your guitar out of direct sunlight for long periods of time. I just picked up a Hog J45 yesterday so I'm having some fun this weekend too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gilliangirl Posted June 28, 2008 Share Posted June 28, 2008 Andrew, it's fairly humid in Toronto, isn't it? My half-sister lives in Kingston and she says she almost breathes water out there somedays. The ideal humidity for your new guitar should be between 45% and 55%. If you haven't done so already, you might want to pick up a hygrometer. Leave it in the case and it will read the humidity in the case for you. I love mine. They're about $30.00 I think. Planet Waves makes one. Congratulations! We know what you'll be doing all weekend..... and then nursing sore fingertips! What was the first song you played on it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajsc Posted June 28, 2008 Share Posted June 28, 2008 Congrats on a great new Gibson. Life can't get any better than that!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitarstrummer Posted June 28, 2008 Share Posted June 28, 2008 Gibson builds at 42% humidity at their Bozeman facility, so the closer you can keep it to that, the better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gearbasher Posted June 28, 2008 Share Posted June 28, 2008 Keeping the proper humidity/temp. levels are important (repeat...Keeping the proper humidity/temp. levels are important), but don't get too "anal" with it and enjoy the guitar. I've kept hygrometers in with my instruments and made sure the humidity levels stayed between 40%-50% and some instruments still showed signs of "weathering". As opposed to that, I used to keep a "hog" J45 out of its case on a stand 24/7 for years, with humidity levels going from the low 30s to the mid 70's and it had only one minor (3/4'') finish check after all of that. Really try to avoid abrupt changes in conditions. Oh!!! And enjoy the guitar!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalosix Posted June 28, 2008 Share Posted June 28, 2008 Congratulations - I know the "rush" from getting a new guitar that good. But you know, its now four to five years later and I still love the Rosie. Some rules of thumb that I use - If you're not comfortable in the environment, chances are the guitar won't be either. - Unless you have a specific climate controlled room, keep the guitar in its case when you're not using it. - Like someone else said, avoid drastic changes of conditions (but if you do have a drastic change of conditions, leave the guitar in the case until its had a chance to heat up or cool down to its environment). But like someone else said - don't get so anal about it that you don't enjoy the guitar!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jefleppard Posted June 28, 2008 Share Posted June 28, 2008 my area, great lakes region, has quite a yearly humidity swing like the one gearbasher describes. 30% in winter, 70's &80's in summer, currently 85% and 85 degrees, feels like 100 outside right now. should i just humidify in winter? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitarstrummer Posted June 28, 2008 Share Posted June 28, 2008 my area' date=' great lakes region, has quite a yearly humidity swing like the one gearbasher describes. 30% in winter, 70's &80's in summer, currently 85% and 85 degrees, feels like 100 outside right now. should i just humidify in winter? [/quote'] You can get as much damage from high humidity as from very low humidity. That's why you really need to invest in a hygrometer so you know what it is for sure. In very high humidity, you should take steps to remove the humidity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajsc Posted June 28, 2008 Share Posted June 28, 2008 I'm in Phoenix,it's 103, 16% hum. Feels like 103. I don't even let my guitars, look out the window this time of year!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosewoody Posted June 28, 2008 Share Posted June 28, 2008 New guitars, especially really nice ones like the one you just got, are like new babies. You're afraid to hold them, you support the head, you nuzzle and coo, etc. After a break-in period, you relax, throw them in the air, start to have fun. I humidify in winter; you know your git is thirsty because the fret ends are sharp. In the summer, too much water makes my guitar sound soggy; I swear, it just doesn't respond brightly. The greater damage comes from dryness, what with sharp frets from shrunken boards and cracked tops (often along the seam), as well as sunken tops in front of the bridge. The first several years may be the most critical for this sort of thing, not sure. Ten months is a long time to wait for set up. Mike is right, do it soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jinder Posted June 29, 2008 Share Posted June 29, 2008 Congrats!! Great choice. Enjoy! Take care of your new RW but don't try to fret too much about every little detail of humidity and temp. We don't have too much variation here in the UK, but over the pond it's a good idea to invest in a Hygrometer just so you know if you need to tweak the humidity levels. But, above all, have fun getting to know your 45! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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