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Post subject: New member and question about humidity
Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 12:34 pm
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Hi, everyone, I'm a new member and new player - I just started taking lessons in September and am loving it.

I have a Standard Strat, and at my last lesson my teacher told me it's starting to have a "cheese grater" feel at the side, because the fret board is getting dry as we're moving into the Wisconsin winter. Do any of you have a suggestion about how to manage humidity in my guitar's new environment?

Great to be here, I'm already learning a lot from reading the posts!

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Post subject: Re: New member and question about humidity
Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 12:49 pm
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EllenW wrote:
Hi, everyone, I'm a new member and new player - I just started taking lessons in September and am loving it.

I have a Standard Strat, and at my last lesson my teacher told me it's starting to have a "cheese grater" feel at the side, because the fret board is getting dry as we're moving into the Wisconsin winter. Do any of you have a suggestion about how to manage humidity in my guitar's new environment? Great to be here, I'm already learning a lot from reading the posts!


Welcome aboard.

The condition is lovingly referred to as 'fret sprout' in some quarters. If you have forced hot air circulating in your abode, you should endeavor to have a working humidifier as part of the system. There are guitar case humidifiers which can help with this. If the process cannot be reversed, a competent tech will likely have to refinish those frets.

I had the same difficulty with an MIM Buddy Guy Polka Dot Strat and now I wonder if the neck wood from that locale is properly aged prior to being cut for manufacture. In fact, I have to start looking around for something to install in my new Gilmour case.

There will be, I am sure, more input from the Forum on this. :wink:

Doc

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Post subject:
Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 12:50 pm
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There are a lot of products for humidity. Here are a few just to give you an idea. If you go to this site, and type in guitar humidifier in the search window, it will list all kinds of products to chose from. Here are a few just to get you started.

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/ ... sku=421667

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/ ... sku=421100

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/ ... sku=421906

I'm sure that your local music shop probably carries these types of products as well.

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Post subject:
Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 12:52 pm
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@jeffo46, no, I've been keeping it out on a stand to encourage practicing. Was that a newbie mistake? :oops:

I'll try keeping it in a case and also check about the heating system. Looking forward to hearing other suggestions!

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2002 LP Special Ebony Faded
2008 G-Dec
'59 Reissue Bassman 4x10 combo
TS 808
DS 1
Gretsch 6120DS (on loan)


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Post subject: wood & frets
Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 1:01 pm
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MIM tend not be as refined as the MIA's in regards to the wood curing. So, when the neck dries out, you tend to run into your problem.

Note: I agree with the other posts in regards to remedies.

If it is really bone dry in your home, a humidifier would be good for you and your guitar. I have an upright acoustic bass, if it is subjected to really dry rooms for long periods of time, the bass will crack or separate. A humidistadt and a humidifier will further prevent any other problems.


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Post subject:
Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 1:08 pm
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I'm not exactly sure how much lack of humidity a guitar can take. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, so I'm right next to the Pacific Ocean. My humidity usually runs anywhere from 50%-75%. I also have another home in the Sierra Nevada mountains with an elevation of 4,000 feet. Humidity there runs in the 30% range.

I've had all my guitars at both places, and have not had a problem as of yet. I'm always reading that the guitar should be kept at about 70%, but so far.....I'm doing fine, when I'm below that. The guitars that I have are MIM Strat, American Deluxe Strat, Telecaster, and Ovation accoustical.

So far, I have not used a humidifier.

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Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 2:28 pm
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I try to keep my humidity in the 50% range (50% - 60%) -- besides being good for the guitars, it's also good for humans and plants. However, humidifying my whole condo would be an expensive proposition, so I move all my guitars into one room and keep a humidifier on in there for most of the winter.

Someone once told me that if it's dry enough for me to start feeling like a lizard and I'm getting half electrocuted every time I touch a doorknob, it's definitely too dry for my guitars.

When I travel, I use a case humidifier ... they're pretty cheap and can save you lots of grief!


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Post subject:
Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 3:46 pm
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Your doing yourself a great service EllenW by keeping in on a stand so you can just grab it up at a moment's notice. Welcome to the Forum. 8) Mike

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Post subject:
Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 4:21 pm
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jeffo46 wrote:
Do you keep your guitar in a case? You'd be surprised at how many new players don't and end up regretting it.


This is the 1st time i have ever heard anybody say this.
I'm not saying it's right or wrong because i don't know.
can anybody cast some more info on this topic.

All my guitars are on stands, because I wont to grab and play.

I'm particularly interested because at the moment i live in the UK where generally humidity isnt a problem but I am building a property in Thailand where humidity and temperature is very high and for the 1st time I will have guitars in an air conditioned room. Is there anything I should do to look after my guitars??


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