A little rain makes them all sound better -

[tadol]

We have just finished our first bit of rain for the season - not a huge storm, but a nice amount of downfall, not very cold -

And everything that comes with it - the "dirt" smell in the air as the humidity level goes up, then the rain starts, and the world gets washed for the first time in many months. Streets are slick, drains are clogged, and the list of projects around the house gets a priority over-ride -


But the best part - all the guitars I have out on stands or hangers at home or in the warehouse are all starting to sound really wonderful. We never need to worry alot about humidifying guitars here ( right next to the SF bay ) but the warm, moist air after a long dry summer certainly adds so much to the sound of them.

I can't say for sure if it's the actual humidity affecting the wood, or if its just the way the soundwaves flow thru the heavier air. Maybe its psychological, sitting in my music room and hearing the rain drops pattering against the skylights -

All I can say - it was a good day to play. But isn't it always?

[jeremy3220]

I don't, sound does travel faster through air that's warmer and wetter. However most people like the sound of dry guitars. I think they sound great when the humidity is down in the 30's. Maybe it was combination of the dry guitars and moist air, due to the wood taking much longer to absorb moisture.

[cke]

I am in SoCal, and yes the early rain has been really nice. Certainly puts me in a good mood to play.  Our RH has been running much higher than normal (50 -60%), and I like it for 2 reasons: 1. no worries about humidifying the guitars, and 2. Fire danger is really low! This is the first year in 5 that I haven't been worrying about our ranch burning.

As to the sound, ... IDK. I always like my Larrivee's, but the Goya sounds a little too fat.

[OutWithTheBlue]

So Cal here too, lovin it.

[flagstaffcharlie]

Cool! I usually think dry guitars sound better, though the psychological effect of a cold, rainy day and a fire in the woodstove makes things sound and feel just right!

My buddy Craig thinks the humid summer we had made his classical guitars come to life, and I thought it caused a couple of my steel stringers to sound soggy. So what do you know? 

[Zohn]

And everything that comes with it - the "dirt" smell in the air as the humidity level goes up, then the rain starts, and the world gets washed for the first time in many months. Streets are slick, drains are clogged, and the list of projects around the house gets a priority over-ride -

All I can say - it was a good day to play. But isn't it always?

Hey Tad
We're awaiting the first decent downpour and have been for the best part of 4 months now. We had one spurt to clear the roofs of the worst dirt though but not enough to wash the oil off the roads... 
I have been nursing my kids weekly in their cases and keep watching the hygrometer which hovers at 10 - 15% @ ave 28Deg C.

Thanx for a well writen post