Topwood for Desert climate?

[John Lee Pettimore]

I'm headed to the high desert for a few weeks and taking a guitar.   It will be insured and traveling in a Crossrock CRF2021 with humidifier hanging in the sound hole at my destination.  I'm thinking a western red cedar top will generally do better with arid conditions than sitka spruce.  If anyone one was an opinion or experience with this comparison/issue, I'd appreciate your thoughts.   It will be out of the case for a few hours daily, at most. 

[B0WIE]

It's good that you're thinking about it though, as someone who lives in a desert climate (Phoenix), I feel the difference between the two tops will only matter if all other things are equal. And, even then, both require similar care.
I'd personally take the one that's more substantially built. It will probably be heavier because the woods are thicker. The finish may also be thicker. These things all contribute to slower movement in the wood as shifting quickly (from drying) tends to be what cracks tops.

This time of year tends to be the best for guitars in desert climate as the ground moisture held in the winter is starting to warm and go into the air. Yet, it's not warm enough to run AC (which is drying). I don't even need my humidifiers right now. However, high desert climates can very a lot.

[John Lee Pettimore]

It's good that you're thinking about it though, as someone who lives in a desert climate (Phoenix), I feel the difference between the two tops will only matter if all other things are equal. And, even then, both require similar care.
I'd personally take the one that's more substantially built. It will probably be heavier because the woods are thicker. The finish may also be thicker. These things all contribute to slower movement in the wood as shifting quickly (from drying) tends to be what cracks tops.

This time of year tends to be the best for guitars in desert climate as the ground moisture held in the winter is starting to warm and go into the air. Yet, it's not warm enough to run AC (which is drying). I don't even need my humidifiers right now. However, high desert climates can very a lot.

Thank you

[Queequeg]

Have a great trip. JLP.
Those Crossrock cases are 'the bomb'; aren't they?

[John Lee Pettimore]

Have a great trip. JLP.
Those Crossrock cases are 'the bomb'; aren't they?

In follow up to my 3 weeks in Cody where the humidity never stayed above 30% for long and was frequently below 15%;

My CRF 2021 maintained in case humidity above 45% the entire time, with only a damp sponge in an open plastic bag hanging in the sound hole.  I played the guitar for 2 to 3 hours daily and then back in the case. 

I had to delay shipping it back home for a few days due to low temperature in WY and CO.  So, there was no humidification in the case for 10 days.  When I received the package at home, Crossrock and guitar were in perfect condition and the RH inside the case was 43%.  I'm very satisfied with the CRF 2021.

Btw; I bought the Dreadnaught size case and got extra removable pads which permit me to fit both the OM and Grand Auditorium (Cedar/Rose wood that made this trip) snugly in the dread case.