The Humidity Gremlin got me .

[Rayk]

Well it finally happened . We often read and post about the dangers of humidity and it’s effects on our beloved guitars .

I thought I was bulletproof to it actually that’s not true more so I never had any issues .

this last winter was a bit tough but I ran two humidifiers but still they fought to get the levels up in my home which is a double wide mobile home . It’s a nice one ! Lol

humidity always got down into the 20’s but only for a day/night or so back up the next day. Winter averaged mid to high 30’s until I got the humidifiers going which would get to 40 %

So out all my guitars the most susceptible would be the Guilds and my prize Ben Wilborn Gloria . These are the NCL finishes the others are poly but all are all solid woods .

So just one guitar got hit that was my Ben Wiborn custom .

I keep the guitars cased in my room I have a large bathroom double doors into my room and every morning take a fairly long hot shower which pumps humidity into the room but this time that wasn’t enough .

so here’s another warning to keep up on the humidity.

she ended up with 3 cracks in the finish good cracks one actually split that was cleated but it never separated . I used a high power light and could not see through any of the cracked areas .

anyway I called Ben he said send it to me . I sent him pics and said he’ll take care of it .

shipping cost me 500 bucks . Ben had the guitar for 3 months in a humidity controlled closet and gave me a stern lecture about humidity !

He said it took all that time for the radius in the back to come back . I said stupidly the back had a radius?

So my baby is back and Wow there is no sign of any damage . You have to look pretty hard to see the cleats just two and there small not some big blocks that I’m used to seeing .

What I will say is Ben is a amazing Luthier and one hell of a good guy truly a rare individual .

He took care of my slackness without question and did a amazing job . I wish I had a bit wealthier back round because I’d buy more guitars from him .

Yes I’m praising Ben Wilborn , I always will !
But just know not one Guild was harmed !

Bring forth the Fireworks !!! The Beer the liquor The Food ! Let the festivities begin !!!

I’ll post some pics later and fix my typos if any lol .

 

[richardp69]

Happy ending. Good on you and Ben!!!

 

[Opsimath]

So sorry to hear you had problems. Happy to hear your guitar is taken care of.

Things happen. It doesn't sound like there was lack of effort on your part.

I recall when growing up in winter when we ran the heaters (gas heaters you lit with a match) my mom kept a small bread loaf baking pan of water on top of each heater to keep humidity up (no, we didn't have guitars).

 

[dreadnut]

Enjoy the festivities!

 

[walrus]

Great result! Enjoy the guitar again!

walrus

 

[Nuuska]

I’ll post some pics later and fix my typos if any lol .

Rayk - whatever you do - don't fix them typos - because when I first started reading your posts I was really wondering "Who the hell is this guy? Why does he write like that?" Then I learned to understand it and like it more - sort of like becoming befriended. Learned to understand what a nice guy you are.

And now you're threatening to change the "Rayk-speech" - that really hurts - please don't.

 

[Rayk]

Rayk - whatever you do - don't fix them typos - because when I first started reading your posts I was really wondering "Who the hell is this guy? Why does he write like that?" Then I learned to understand it and like it more - sort of like becoming befriended. Learned to understand what a nice guy you are.

And now you're threatening to change the "Rayk-speech" - that really hurts - please don't.

Lmao thank you my friend .

 

[Rayk]

Pics posted above . Sorry I could not capture the detail that first set of pics had had it’s all about the light but now you can see how beautiful African Blackwood is . Lol

 

[beecee]

So funny, I was afraid to mention the change in Rayspeak.

New thumbs there old boy??

 

[Rayk]

So funny, I was afraid to mention the change in Rayspeak.

New thumbs there old boy??

No it’s those darn brain supplements . Take all the fun out of things when you start to remember stuff . Lmao

 

[D30Man]

I have a bit of a belly on my DCE3. I was told by a luthier to fill the sound hole with silica gel packets and leave it closed for some time. It will correct itself. Any other opinions on this?

 

[fronobulax]

I have a bit of a belly on my DCE3. I was told by a luthier to fill the sound hole with silica gel packets and leave it closed for some time. It will correct itself. Any other opinions on this?

Might be worth its own thread but I am assuming anything in Texas is more likely to be exposed to low humidify than high. So this makes no sense unless the instrument has had prolonged exposure to high humidity. If that's the case then your luthier's advice won't hurt. Otherwise, though, I think I'd want a second opinion.

I note merely from reading LTG posts, that belly is not always considered a problem or a problem worth correcting. A bridge Doctor, rather than dehumidification is often the solution that ends up working for people who decide bellying is something to be corrected.

 

[Rayk]

Might be worth its own thread but I am assuming anything in Texas is more likely to be exposed to low humidify than high. So this makes no sense unless the instrument has had prolonged exposure to high humidity. If that's the case then your luthier's advice won't hurt. Otherwise, though, I think I'd want a second opinion.

I note merely from reading LTG posts, that belly is not always considered a problem or a problem worth correcting. A bridge Doctor, rather than dehumidification is often the solution that ends up working for people who decide bellying is something to be

I have a bit of a belly on my DCE3. I was told by a luthier to fill the sound hole with silica gel packets and leave it closed for some time. It will correct itself. Any other opinions on this?

Ask PreachBob he’s done these type of repairs if I read right . He has a post on this page and makes a reference to it .

See I told you all , those darn memory pills again my G_D what’s going on !!! Most annoying . Lol