software

I got a new guitar last night and it came with a Sound Hole Humidifier. When should I use and should I leave the guitar in the case when I have the humidifier in? I remember reading that it should be when the humidity gets below 35% how can I tell when that happens? And would it hurt the guitar to leave it in there all through the winter?Thanks,
edm

I bought a hygrometer when I got my Taylor. I don't leave it in the case at all times but I measure the humidity level every week or more often... Taylor's site states that their guitars are built in a 47% humidity-controlled environment. Anywhere around 50% is good. Too humid is as bad as too dry.

I strongly suggest buying an hygrometer to monitor the level in the case (when your guitar's in it). I highly recommend digital ones, which can be purchased relatively cheap. Best way to know.

Go check out the taylor website if you want more info, they have tons of nice tutorials in PDF format that you can download... really helpful.

As far as leaving the humidifier through the winter: I don't know about your area, but up here it gets really dry in my appartment during the winter ( around 30% due to heating systems and all while it goes up to 70% in the summer, can you image my headaches ). I use mine all winter in order to keep an acceptable humidity level for my guitar. If it gets dry in your place, I'd say there should be nothing wrong with you letting the humidifier in for the whole winter and maybe dampening it once or time every week. If it's not that dry, I'd say monitor it and use it as needed. Whenever it gets below 40% you should try to increase that by using your humidifier... don't get it too high though...

Hope this helps a little...

thanks for the help... were can i get one of those hygrometers?

RadioShack sells a good digital hygrometer.

I leave the quot;wormquot; in my Taylor all the time and just let it soak when the humidity level inside the case drops. Remember that you need to measure the humidity where the guitar is, not in the storage compartment (made that mistake myself, duh). Also, somewhere I read that you should leave the case open while you are playing so that it gets in sync with the environment. Can't remember the reasoning behind that.

100 on the Taylor tech sheets.

Chip

Good timing on this post for me as my 514CE just came in. I was tempted to blow off the humidifier but from this info I'm guessing that might be a mistake.

I think I have this figured out... do you guys leave the case closed when you are not playing the guitar and letting it get humidified?

thanks,
edm

It all depends on the humidity levels inside your place. My place gets crazy dry in the winter and ultra-humid in the summer. What I do is leave the case closed 95% of the time. I use the hygrometer to measure the humidity in the appartment. If the humidity level in my case is above or below ideal and the level in the appartment is around 45-50%, I'll leave the case opened while I play in order to let it dry/humidify, since the guitar is already adjusting to the level while I play. Most of the times tho, it's either too humid or too dry outside of the case so I'll leave it closed while I play.

It's all just a matter of keeping the guitar/case in the sweet-spot. If it's too dry, compensate with the humidifier and/or the environment (if applicable). If it's too humid, leave the case closed (There are some periods in the summer where I almost never play the taylor since the HL are above 65% and as far as I love playing I don't wanna ruin it) and use these little silicate packs you find in shoes or other goods in order to bring the humidity down (silicates are hygroscopic, meaning they'll capture the water particles therefore drying out the environment)... I doubt that any of you would have as bad humidity problems as I have so you should be fine. Just monitor it regularily and try to keep it as close to the sweet-spot and as constant as possible... should be fine.

CH: I'd definitely keep the humidifier. You don't want that top to arch or crack for sure!

35 is pretty low. I like to shoot for a range between 45 and 50.

Humidity or the lack of is what causes most acoustic guitars to fail. Usually.... if the owner is lucky the bridge will crack at the pins and need to be replaced. If the bridge doesn't fail it will usually wind up with some serious cracks in the top. Humidity should be maintained between 45 to 50% I own 10 Acoustic guitars... Here is what I do.

1. I always store my guitars in the case.

2. I use a Dampit which is kept in the soundhole with the cover partially opened.

3. I have a travel soap dish which has a sponge in it and I keep this moist with water and this is stored in the case under the headstock. Most soundhole humidifiers are only adding moisture to the body. What about the rest of the guitar?

4. I keep a Hygrmeter in the case with each guitar and I also keep one on the wall in the room where the guitars are stored.

5. When purchasing a Hygrometer buy a decent one. I initally bought a few from Radio Shack that were excellent for $20.00, but that model was discontinued and the replacement model was not very good. I bought a few at Home Depot in the plant section... those are very good. There is a Compnay called Humidacase I think and they sell a very small Hygrometer for about $20.00... I bought a couple from Musicians friend. Those have a very large display so they are easy to read and they work real well.If you only have one or two guitars this process is not so bad. I check the moisture and humidity every other day, but if this seems like something that may be to difficult to do you can buy a room humidifier. Yoy can get them a a Department store like Kmart or Target. The better ones are made by Holmes and can supply humidity to a large area. They range in price from $30 to about $150 depending on the size. Here is an article that I pulled off of Santa Cruz guitars Website. It will explain and answer all questions related to humidity and how it affects aciustic guitars.

from : localhost/www.santacruzguitar.com/care/index.html

How long will it take to get the humidity in the case from 35 to 40 ? Its been holding at 35 since last night when I went to bed.

thanks,
edm