drastic change in action

[dougdnh]

I have a Guild AO5CE which I normally store in it's case. I just got a new stand for Christmas, so I decided to set the guitar out on it, about 5' to the side of a heating unit in my living room. it was sitting there overnight. Today I went to play it and the action was so low, I was getting fret buzz all over the place. I suspect keeping it out fairly close to the heat did something? I put it back in it's case away from the heat - I'm hoping it goes back to it's normal action, and I didn't do any serious damage.

 

[davismanLV]

I know you're in an area that probably has high humidity at this time of year, but as soon as you introduce any type of heating (or cooling, either one) you're going to have to monitor the humidity inside where the guitar resides. Even if you keep it in it's case, check the RH inside where you keep your guitar.

The heat probably didn't do it any favors if it's dry, but this is probably a humidity/moisture issue more than temp. :encouragement:

 

[FNG]

Wintet time in New Hampshire....guitar crushing dry air. Do some online searching on humidifying guitars in the winter time

 

[Westerly Wood]

totally was the 5 feet from heating source left out on stand. like you say, put it back in case, and i would also put a soundhole humidifier in it for a while till it rights itself. can also leave it on stand while you take showers too for a while, should help, but not in the shower with you.

that last bit was pretty funny...

 

[dougdnh]

The shower is one place I've never had a guitar - might try it sometime . Anyhow, what I've done is wipe the inside lining of the case with a damp cloth, maybe that will help. My dad who had several archtops back in the 50's and 60's used to keep apple cores in the case.

 

[FNG]

That won't help.

 

[geoguy]

A damp (not dripping wet) kitchen sponge in an open zip-lock baggie, tucked inside the guitar case, can serve as an economical humidifier.

Re-wet the sponge once per week, or more often if the sponge quickly dries out.

 

[dougdnh]

After keeping the guitar in it's case with a a damp sponge in a zip lock bag pushed into the body for 3 days, it seems to be back to normal. I've ordered a guitar humidifier. Funny my MIJ 70's Conn F-11 never suffered any ill effects sitting out in the same spot.
thanks for all the tips!