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Joined:
April 2008
Posts: 2336
Location: Brighty in Blighty | Hi,
a couple of questions. I'm pretty sure that the humidity levels here in the UK are within the accpetable range but obviously cntral heating affects it so...
#1) Can anyone recommend a small, huditiy monitor (perhaps like this : http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SPER-SCIENTIFIC-HUMIDITY-TEMP-MONITOR-800016_...
#2) Do I not need to worry regards humidity if my guitars always stay in their cases?
THANKS! |
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Joined:
May 2008
Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | The unit you show would be fine.
You need to keep the guitar in a stable humidity environment, whether (see Randy!) it's in the case or hanging on a wall. It's not the actualy humidity level that matter so much as long as it's around 40-60%, but it's the stability that is important. If your humidity is changing from 40% to 60% and back again every hour that's not good.
It's a misnomer that keeping a guitar in the case you don't have to be concerened about humidity. I mean think about it, what in the case could possibly generate moisture in the air for your guitar? It is true however, that the case will buffer the rate of change just becuase the room air isn't flowing into it so quickly.
Dave |
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May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | Here's a link on how to test your hygrometer.
http://www.ovationfanclub.com/cgi-bin/ubb/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=ge...
I have two planet wave hygrometers now. the other cheapie ones died. I use one for the house, and the other I rotate on a weekly basis in the guitar cases.
I suppose you don't have to worry about putting a humidifier in the case if your humidity outside the case is always 40-60%.
In my house, this winter after the heat went on, the humidity got down to about 15%. Then with the room humidifier I got the humidity up to an average 35%. So I still had to put in a case humidifier. For the round hole, I use a planet waves model that hangs down thru the strings and uses a sponge. For the adamas, I use an old plastic film canister with holes punched in the top and a chunk of kitchen sponge. |
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Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | I just give mine a good soaking in the hot tub every couple months. |
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June 2008
Posts: 27
Location: Calgary,Alberta | The one good thing about keeping the humidity at a certain level in your guitar case is the small area of air in that confined space that needs to be treated.Also the higher the temp. the more the air can hold, and don't forget that high humidity is just as bad as not enough. |
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February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | The only thing that matters is that the humidity and temperature is consistent. A fairly non-scientfic but effective yardstick is simply this... if you are uncomfortable in any environment in terms of temperature/humidity then your guitar will be too. Remember also that the biggest cause of structural stress in guitars is sudden and extreme changes in conditions.
The UK is generally around 55 to 60% relative humidity, but house storage conditions can be as low as 30% depending on heating systems etc. This is why a good accurate Hygrometer is vital.
I keep my guitar room at around 45 to 50% constantly with a dehumidifier. |
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April 2008
Posts: 1851
Location: Newington, CT | Originally posted by The Wabbit Formerly Known As Waskel:
I just give mine a good soaking in the hot tub every couple months. ...he said, tongue firmly lodged in cheek. |
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December 2003
Posts: 1889
Location: Central Massachusetts | Originally posted by AlanM:
Originally posted by The Wabbit Formerly Known As Waskel:
I just give mine a good soaking in the hot tub every couple months. ...he said, tongue firmly lodged in cheek. |
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April 2008
Posts: 2336
Location: Brighty in Blighty | OK so apart from the Planet Waves any other brands of hydrometer you recommend. |
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February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Originally posted by dvd:
Originally posted by AlanM:
Originally posted by The Wabbit Formerly Known As Waskel:
I just give mine a good soaking in the hot tub every couple months. ...he said, tongue firmly lodged in cheek. |
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May 2008
Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | I've heard the recommendation that you put an apple in a paper bag and just stuff it in your case. As the apple rots it gives off moisture and actually smells good. I've never tried it. |
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May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | Before I got my hygrometer and in-case humidifier I used the apple trick. Whether it really worked, I don't know. But pschologically, it made me feel better. Plus if I got hungry I could eat the apple. |
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September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | I used to put a piece of apple in my tobacco...
an4340 mentioned the film canister & sponge trick...
If you don't have a film canister or an old travel soap dish, a baggie with some holes in it works.
Just don't use a sopping wet sponge.
Use a damp sponge, and re-dampen it if it dries-out.
If it don't dry-out, you are cool.
In Brighton UK you might have damp air outside, but heat and air conditioning dry the indoor air.
They say that guitars like 50% humidity, but people don't.
I keep it about 37% to 40% in my room, but I still keep humidifiers in my cases.
And I rotate my guitars in and out of their cases.
[An Orange will work instead of an Apple, but oranges will grow fur after awhile] |
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April 2008
Posts: 2336
Location: Brighty in Blighty | Thinking of trying this one...
Ebarf |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Oregon Scientific makes very nice and accurate units. Here's the UK Website . |
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Humidity monitoring and cases?
