Humidifying guitars - product review

[tadol]

At the HGF, I picked up a few goodies (since I couldn't afford any guitars) and I thought I would post some thoughts about them for anyone who might be interested.

First item - the John Pearse Guitar Humidifier. I saw the Bob Taylor video showing how little humidity it took to make a huge difference to a guitar, and found it very interesting. I'd always thought that living close to the San Francisco bay, usually with a bit of fog and the windows ajar, that I would have no issues at all with humidity. But when I saw the humidifiers there for just $10, I thought for that price I would give one a try -

I have had one guitar that I'd noticed a tiny bit of shrinkage of the finish - when you looked at its top reflection, the finish had a bit of a washboard look. You could definitely see the grain lines. So I decided to soak the humidifier, wring all "loose" moisture out, and stick it in the guitar in its case for a week and see what happened. After a week, I took it out, and I am amazed.

Almost all the moisture was gone from the humidifier, and the top of the guitar has lost all signs of the washboarding. It feels a little better, and I could swear it sounds just a bit better.  I've not bought anything to do any actual measurements, so I can't offer "scientific" information, but I am a convert. I don't think that a guitar would "over-humidify" very easily, but I do now believe that they will take advantage of the opportunity to absorb a little free moisture if they need it. I had wondered a bit about it when I saw just how moist they kept the Vancouver facility.

I have decided that every guitar I have is going to get at least a week each year with it in the case, maybe more. I think that will be quite enough to keep them healthy. I would recommend anyone with a solid wood guitar buy or borrow one of these and use it at least once, just to see the difference. And I am amazed that the better manufacturers haven't branded these things and included them with every guitar they sell - If they did it would probably drop the warranty work by 2/3.

Anyway, it is now in its next case, and I will check it next weekend -

Tad

[jimmy buffett]

...I am amazed that the better manufacturers haven't branded these things and included them with every guitar they sell - If they did it would probably drop the warranty work by 2/3.

What a great idea.  Every manufacturer and quality retailer will tell you about the importance of proper humidification, so why not increase your brand image and include one with each purchase?  With the volumes they put out each year, the cost would not be significant...
jimmy

[bluesmike]

Thanks for the review. I definitely recommend using some sort of humidifier -- living in the frozen tundra of Wisconsin, I get super dry air in heating the house in the winter. I keep a small room humidifier in my "music room" and humidifiers in every guitar case. I like to leave a few instruments on the walls or on stands, so try and keep the room at a constant friendly level. I tried a few of the commercial humidifiers, and though they seemed to work okay, I'd go broke if I had to buy one for every guitar, even knowing that it's still cheap insurance for good instruments. So I ran across a "do it yourself" guitar humidifier on the web using drilled holes in a plastic travel soap container and a sponge. I made 3 or 4 of them and they work great. One trick is to purchase the higher quality sponges -- look for anti-bacterial and anti-fungal. They won't get nasty over time. I've even modified the design a bit and punched holes in a zip lock baggie, inserted one of the cut sponges after it had been wrung out, and placed it in the soundhole with the zip portion of the baggie wrapped once around the strings to hold it in place. Does wonders for the guitar.

The humidifier you tested sounds great and reasonably priced, too.

Mike

[jimmy buffett]

One trick is to purchase the higher quality sponges -- look for anti-bacterial and anti-fungal. They won't get nasty over time.

I've even modified the design a bit and punched holes in a zip lock baggie, inserted one of the cut sponges after it had been wrung out, and placed it in the soundhole with the zip portion of the baggie wrapped once around the strings to hold it in place. Does wonders for the guitar.

Your suggestion for the anti bacterial sponges is a good one.  If you use the regular kind, be sure to soak it in some watered down bleach once in a while to keep the nasty stuff away.  As for the zip lock bag hanging from the strings, it's brilliant!  I never would have thought of this, but it's a great way to hang the humidifier inside the guitar without having any contact with the wood.  I love the creativity, and it costs virtually nothing!

Very nice...
jimmy

[PortHueneme]

I am having very good luck with the Herco clay pots. They are cheap and I have one in every guitar & ukulele case.
My luthier told me even though I live at the beach and there is humidity, the guitars do not absorb salt water.
KoAloha ukuleles come with a Herco and require its use for warranty.

[tadol]

Just pulled it out of my second guitar after a week, an old LS-10, and again, I swear it looks better and sounds better -

I don't care what you use, but I highly recommend everyone offer their guitars the chance to humidify at least once a year.

Tad

[Dale_I]

Just my personal opinion, but once a year is not sufficient for humidifying your guitar. To actually know what humidity your guitar experiences you need to purchase a hygrometer and put it in your case. If your humidity level is lower than 45 percent you will need to humidify your guitar until the level reaches approx 45 to 55 percent. If you are above about 55 percent, you will need to dehumidify it.

For my personal application, I live in a very dry climate and have two to three humidifiers in my guitar case at all times and I fill them with distilled water once every two to three weeks and keep a 45 to 48 percent level.

Your location and humidity ranges will vary, so do yourself a favor and purchase a hygrometer for your case. Then you will know and not have to guess at conditions that are existing.

[jimmy buffett]

When I leave a guitar in it's case during the (cold & dry) winter period, I always use a sound hole humidifier along with one of the Herco clay humidfiers, which is placed at the heal block.  In a dry environment, I doubt that you could actually over humidify a guitar, so I figure the use of 2 humidifiers is both easy and safe.

Never had a problem with dry guitars...
jb

[ducktrapper]

In case or in guitar humidifiers are crap, in my experience. If you live in a dry climate or use forced air heat, you should humidify the house or at least the room where you keep your instruments. Good hygrometers and proper humidifying are a must with "high end" guitars. Everything less is second rate, at best. I hope that's clear enough. 

[BluesMan1]

   Keeping your guitar humidified right is the best thing you can do for it. A digital hygrometer is a must. Duck, I got convinced to buy a humidifier, thinking it was best. Made sense, but for some reason, even though I kept the humidity between 45-60 % (tops!), my in wall AC unit developed mold inside. It wasn't on, just formes on it's own. Once on the Styrofoam, it was impossible to get off. I canned the humidifier & went back to my normal & reliable method of using my Dampits. Can be a pain in the neck, having to check them every few days, esp. if you have a few acoustics. But got me in the habit of looking @ things closer when I would do the Dampits, checking the bridge height, etc. & actually playing all of them. Worked out better for me, but I agree that if you can do it, keeping a humidifier going works best. For most, probably, just didn't work for me. I actually liked looking @ all of mine every few days. Gave me a better idea of which one's were in need of more or less moisture, also. Glad it works for you! I'm envious. But some of these units can get pretty nasty fast, depending on your water. Mine would turn brown pretty quickly, so had to keep a daily eye on my filter.
   And I agree that your guitar should be humidified more than once a year, unless Tad lives in an area that has a constant level that's just right. Wish I did. N.E. bites for even humidity, esp. if you have baseboard heat.
     Jeff   

[magictwanger]

"BLuesman's" post is right on the money!Hey,he's 6'7" tall,and can probably beat me up!Of course I agree with him!!

  Still,common sense states that we check our cases regularly.Walmart carries a cheap,and really good,hygrometer.It is called "Accurite" and costs 7 bucks.Small,accurite enough to not be off by much,and a "must".

  I also use the Planet Waves in case humidifier.I like how it fits the guitar.The dampit's are good,but I don't like how they sit and can move around easily.That's just me!

  I have in home humidifiers on the furnace(April Aire units).Very good,but here in the North Eastern USA when it gets really cold,you need help....Walmart "again"(hey,they're cheap...like me)has some useful in room portable humidifiers that I run in my guitar's storage room....Yet,even with keeping such a good eye on things,I find on very cold snaps,it is good to have an in case humidifier,and checking it every few days....which is enough of a pain in the tush to keep me from becoming a "collector",and being happy with "only" my four guitars!

  Best to all

[BluesMan1]

   Thanks, but remember, the bigger they are, the harder they fall... or is it hit? And, as I've learned in life, never underestimate the smaller opponent. Can be a big mistake, esp. if you've had a few. Can't feel as much, though.
   Anyway, got my humidifier @ Walmart for $22. Bargain considering the filters were $2 each. I'm always conscious of putting my Dampits (the long ones) into the guitar so they don't or won't touch the wood, except the hard plastic end. Use my Hercules stand, put them in so they rest beyond the bracing, & store my cases upright so nothing will touch. Had a short Dampit & noticed it would contact the inner wood.
  I like the idea of the Planet Waves units, but they're only really good for one season, unless you clean all of the deposits out of the wholes after using them for awhile. I have 3 Dampits & 3 Planets Waves. If I can clean the P.M. ones well, I'll shoot those up with water if my guitar has gotten on the dry side. Seems to humidify faster? The Dampits do a good job, but just let them hang when you put them in & store them. Depends on how each of us stores their guitars.
   And MT, me being down to 3 acoustics now (from 4), then hopefully 2, then back to 3, will ease up on me a little in the winter months. Some days just don't feel like doing it, but know I have to. Drives you crazy sometimes!
     Jeff   

[Richard III]

Regarding guitar humidifiers: anyone had experience with the Oasis in-guitar humidifiers?  I've never used a humidifier and am getting religion and need to get up to speed.   I'm a newbie to this post.   
Richard

[MacNichol]

I'm actually going to be shooting a video this Friday about the Oasis and Planet Waves Humidifiers we carry.  If all goes according to plan the video will be posted to the Larrivee forum by Wednesday of next week.  You can also subscribe to our YouTube channel for email updates of new videos:  http://www.youtube.com/user/MacNicholGuitars 

[magictwanger]

I'll mention something that Stan Jay(of Mandolin Bros) told me last year.He does not like any "in guitar" humidifier that is full of water,unless it is a sponge type,like the Dampit.

  He feels it leaves the door open for a potential leak(even if unlikely).Makes sense,if you have an expensive instrument.I bought the Planet Waves units and am very happy with them.They are even safer than the Dampits and work great.I have no issues from the supplied sponges,during heating season,when they are in use.I use an occassional in case hygrometer to be safe,but in all honesty I go the MAX,by keeping an "in room" floor standing humidifier as well, to take it to the max.

  Best to all

[Cowgirlie]

Every one of my good guitars has an Oasis soundhole humidifier. Sure, it's great to humidify a room, but a touring musician does not have that luxury. I refill them when they start shrinking in circumference if the guitar is touring with me, and fill the ones in the guitars that have to stay home before I leave on tour. I love that I know how much water they are drinking on a daily basis.

[canoe65]

I've been using a Planet Waves Guitar Humidifier on my Larrivée L-03 since 2006, when I bought it.

I've used the Planet Waves on all my previous acoustics.

I simply fill the humidifier with distilled water every couple of weeks and I keep my L-03 stored in its case with the humidifier when it's not in use.

I live in Ontario, Canada, and I have been using the Planet Waves humidifier through all four seasons.

My guitar appears ... and sounds ... in great shape.  

[MacNichol]

So things didn't end up going as planned and we ended up reshooting the Oasis humidifiers videos a week later.  Michael's two cents when it comes to humidifiers, is that Oasis is light-years ahead of their competition.  Anyways, here are a couple of links to some videos about how to use Oasis humidifiers and the product line.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8z_UxEhieQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwXCov6A8yA

[Bubblemaker]

Here in Eastern Ontario Canada guitars must be monitored year round!

In the summer the RH ( relative humidity) can reach 80% for extended periods of time.

Winter brings the other extreme!  RH below 20% in the colder months.

All of my instruments are kept in a relatively sealed room that is dehumdified in the summer to 50% RH  and is humidified in the winter to 50%.


If this is not possible and you are the owner of solid wood instruments.......in a similar climate, in the winter a humidifier should take up permament residence in you guitar soundhole, and in the summer you sould try to store your guitar at between 45-55% humidity.

If this isnt possible in the summer try keeping it ouside its case on one of the higher floors of a house or appartment.   Not in you basement! 

IF possible invest in a good dehumidifier  $200 to $300.  Its a  small price to pay if you have thousands of dollars invested in musical instruments!

A good quality instrument stored under these conditions will last for many generations, its playability will endure.....and it will sound much much better!


Cheers!


Bubblemaker.

[strawintogold]

I use Keyser soundhole humidifiers. Which reminds me, they are probably all dried out now...