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Post subject: Humidity for Strats
Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2019 8:18 am
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The fret ends are starting to protrude.
I read online that you can have your Strat in the shower.... (well not actually in the shower) just in the room while you shower. How to I post pics?


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Post subject: Re: Humidity for Strats
Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2019 2:31 pm
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That might be a bit too much all at one time.
Ideal humidity for guitars is around 50% at around 70-75^F (20-24^C)
Too much can lead to corrosion of the electronics.

To restore humidity to an acoustic guitar, it is acceptable to put a cup of water into the body, close the case, and leave it alone for a few days, the body will draw the moisture that it needs to help prevent cracking, but under no conditions would I actually "steam" a guitar.

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Post subject: Re: Humidity for Strats
Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2019 2:53 pm
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Thanks for the info. It's the only Strat that has humidity problems.... because the laquer on the back of the neck was taken off.


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Post subject: Re: Humidity for Strats
Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2019 11:43 pm
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I keep my guitar-room humidifier set at 35% and that keeps things in check. My local Guitar Center keeps theirs at 45%.

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Post subject: Re: Humidity for Strats
Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2019 3:46 am
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Turnit210 wrote:
Thanks for the info. It's the only Strat that has humidity problems.... because the laquer on the back of the neck was taken off.



This do not mean it is humidity.
Don't do anything until you know what to do.

Solid body guitar are like your home furniture, do they need special humidity or go in the shower ? :lol:

1- wich strat ?
2- Year ?


How to post photo as read on Fender Forum

https://forums.fender.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=109081

_________________________________________

First you need to upload your pics to the internet. From a great forum member ; Jmattis


Use a pic hosting site (imgur, imgbb, flickr or such - avoid photobucket) or some common web framework like e.g. facebook, googlephotos - whatever you're familiar with.

The important thing is that the web site provides you with a pic address - that's the one starting with 'http' and ending in '.jpg'.

Copy the pic address, and use the IMG-command (visible when you write a message) on the forum.

Preview your post so everything is OK.


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Post subject: Re: Humidity for Strats
Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2019 4:05 am
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stratele52 wrote:
Turnit210 wrote:
Thanks for the info. It's the only Strat that has humidity problems.... because the laquer on the back of the neck was taken off.


This do not mean it is humidity.

Well, changes in humidity are the absolutely #1 cause for fret ends sticking out, if they have been OK from the factory.
And the bare neck back could let the wood dry out more rapidly than with a lacquered neck.

The "permanent" solution is to dress the fret ends at the driest season. With that, I agree on the "Don't do anything until you know what to do."


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Post subject: Re: Humidity for Strats
Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2019 4:22 am
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jmattis wrote:
stratele52 wrote:
Turnit210 wrote:
Thanks for the info. It's the only Strat that has humidity problems.... because the laquer on the back of the neck was taken off.


This do not mean it is humidity.

Well, changes in humidity are the absolutely #1 cause for fret ends sticking out, if they have been OK from the factory.
And the bare neck back could let the wood dry out more rapidly than with a lacquered neck.

The "permanent" solution is to dress the fret ends at the driest season. With that, I agree on the "Don't do anything until you know what to do."


This happened ( mostly ) one time on a guitar life when new.
You fix the fret and you never will never have any issue.


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Post subject: Re: Humidity for Strats
Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2019 12:01 pm
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I think stability of humidity is likely more important than the percentage itself.
I think a guitar will acclimate to its environment but I also think that environment should be relatively stable.
The percentage will depend completely on what part of the world you are in.
Where I live 50% humidity would be next to impossible to achieve.
I would have to buy a half dozen humidifiers and run them all at full tilt 24/7.
I try to keep my house between 25% and 30% and I have never had a single humidity related issue.
That said, I believe if I suddenly altered that percentage by a large amount, like trying to get it up to 40%, I would likely encounter guitar troubles.
That and I would no longer be able to look out my windows.
There is very likely a minimum humidity level that guitars will tolerate but I suspect it is lower than 25% because my house sometimes dips below 25% if the temperature drops suddenly and the furnace runs non-stop for many hours trying to keep up.

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Post subject: Re: Humidity for Strats
Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2019 3:38 pm
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Solid body electrics generally don't have issues related to humidity, primarily because the bodies and necks are sealed under the finish.
Rosewood necks need a light application of oil maybe once or twice a year.

Acoustics are far more sensitive, and under-humidification will lead to the soundboard losing its "belly" as well as cracking of the top and back.

I don't do anything special. I live in the low desert area about 40 miles east of Los Angeles.
I keep a set of 3 D'Addario humidifier packs in my Taylor case, and a "Sensorpush" monitor in the case with it.
Here's a graph of my case... it's in my bedroom, we keep the AC set to around 72-76 (2-story, so it gets a bit warmer upstairs). Indoor humidity generally runs 35-45, outdoor got down to below 10% last November.

Image

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Post subject: Re: Humidity for Strats
Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2019 4:13 am
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All timber will move due to humidity unless sealed in an impervious shell (like PU lacquer).

In the UK we have some pretty wild variations in humidity and, as a result, construction with wood has been designed to accommodate movement from almost the beginning of history. It is just one of those things.

With regard to your fret sprout it is a very easy thing to resolve. If you have a fine (flat) sharpening stone long enough to span the three widest frets gently rub that along the edge of the fret board - I have an Opinel knife sharpening stone which is great for this. You can also use 400 grade wet and dry on a backing board. This will remove the sprout (and leave the lightest of scuffs on the lacquer if at all) but may make the fret ends sharp so the ends will need redressing. I find the easiest is with a fret rounding file but a fine safe edge file is also good to round off the points at the base. On jumbo frets you can use the gentlest of touches with a Dremel type tool but this is a bit exciting as the potential to ruin things keeps you on your toes.

Nicely dressed fret ends is one of the best ways to make your neck feel great and something I do even if there isn't fret sprout.

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Post subject: Re: Humidity for Strats
Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2019 6:15 am
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Here in Iowa (USA) it is real humid in the Spring, and Summer. I have always kept all my guitars (electric and acoustic) in my basement Studio. Under ground; my basement is always cool...but that doesn't stop the humidity. I have a 'dehumidifier' set at "Comfort" (whatever the hell that means)---and it keeps the entire basement between 47 and 52 percent humidity year round. Works great, and I've never in 35 years had a problem...so there might be something to it.

P.S.- In the winter, it never comes on, and in the summer it seldom shuts off...but the basement is always between 47 and 52 percent humidity. They ARE expensive, but well worth the investment---get a good one.


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