GV-52 and humidity

[Donal]

Thought it best to just start a new topic with the GV-52.

Well, took the GV-52 in to Mark, the repairman. Seems it needs re-hydrated.Took my HD-28 in for him to check out also. It also needs re-hydrated.They are now in the process of re-hydration.I watched him sight down the neck, look at the guitar top from the side, tilting it this way and that. He went over the soundboard with a straight edge. It was an education for me.He could see the effects of dryness by eyeballing and I couldn't see it even when he pointed it out to me - till he showed me with a strait edge on the soundboard. I have been aware of the need to have the guitars environment humidified during heating season and thought I had things covered by using room humidifiers. The HD -28 did get rather dry a few years ago, before I started using room humidifiers, and that was the circumstance that initiated me using the room humidifiers. I'm wondering how long a guitar would have to be in a properly humidified environment for the wood to reabsorb the moisture it needs. Also checked out some great vids on the symptoms of dryness and how to re-humidify a guitar on youtube from the Taylor Guitar website.Showed much the same process as Mark.Guess I'll pretty soon be going over some more guitars with straight edge in hand.

Don.

 

[dapmdave]

Humidity is crucial - no doubt. And, spending a bit of time going over your guitar(s) with a good luthier will make you see your instruments in a new light. There's a lot going on there.

Dave

 

[evenkeel]

The Taylor vids are really good. Terrific resource. As a winter resident of Fla and a summer resident of Annapolis, both high humidity areas, I don't have to worry about it to much. In early spring when we arrive in Annapolis, or in the fall just before we leave, when the house is being heated then I pay a bit more attention. I use home made dampits and then use the feedback busters to seal off the sound hole. So far, so good.

 

[dapmdave]

The Taylor vids are really good. Terrific resource. As a winter resident of Fla and a summer resident of Annapolis, both high humidity areas, I don't have to worry about it to much. In early spring when we arrive in Annapolis, or in the fall just before we leave, when the house is being heated then I pay a bit more attention. I use home made dampits and then use the feedback busters to seal off the sound hole. So far, so good.

I agree. Taylor has really done a service by putting out a lot of good info.

Dryness is a minimal issue in Florida (and coastal areas) but I have noticed subtle changes in my guitars after giving them a few weeks in their cases with dampits. It seems to tighten them back up. Especially in winter, when we do get periods of low humidity.

Dave

 

[chazmo]

Don, it's great that you've discovered this. I wish I'd known about the humidity issue as a younger guy as the result of my ignorance was serious cracking of my two original guitars. Sigh. Yeah, I learned the hard way. I still kick myself over all that even though my guitars were repaired and are in perfect functioning order. Ignorance is not bliss.

The Taylor vids are awesome.

How long does it take to re-humidify a guitar? A week maybe, at least for the body, with multiple dampits and soundhole cover... depending on what and how bad the problem is. Guitars will not always regain correct geometry, and of course cracks don't fix themselves, but if you catch the problem early you'll be just fine.

 

[hojo199]

Here on the Connecticut shoreline, there is humidity to spare -- except in the real cold weather with the heat on inside. I have found that a good room humidifier keeps all my girls happy. Some like to be on stands and some are fine in their cases. I check them alternate them regularly. Seems fine....

 

[jgwoods]

I find I can "read" how wet or dry my guitars and mandolins etc are from tuning them. I always keep everything tuned right to concert pitch. If the humidity stays the same they hold for 2-3 days without needing any adjustments. If they go flat they are drying out. if they go sharp they are gaining moisture.

I keep a spare bedroom- the kids are gone- with all my instruments and a room humidifier. If I take my mandolin, or guitar, down to play in the living room for a few days in the Winter it invariably goes flat- top sinking, drying out. Put it back in the room with the humidifier and a day or two later it is back up to pitch with just minor tweaks needed.

They key is to always stay tuned consistently so you can spot the changes.

 

[hojo199]

I find I can "read" how wet or dry my guitars and mandolins etc are from tuning them. I always keep everything tuned right to concert pitch. If the humidity stays the same they hold for 2-3 days without needing any adjustments. If they go flat they are drying out. if they go sharp they are gaining moisture.

I keep a spare bedroom- the kids are gone- with all my instruments and a room humidifier. If I take my mandolin, or guitar, down to play in the living room for a few days in the Winter it invariably goes flat- top sinking, drying out. Put it back in the room with the humidifier and a day or two later it is back up to pitch with just minor tweaks needed.

They key is to always stay tuned consistently so you can spot the changes.

Ditto to all of that.