Last year, we were wall to wall packed with acoustic guitars that needed repair. The reason for 75% of repairs; damage due to cold/dry air of the winter. You MUST keep your acoustics humidified during the winter. I recommend the Oasis, its inexpensive and works better than the more expensivetype. Its also Martin Guitars recommended humidifier. If you keep you acoustics out most of the time, its that time of year to keep them in cases.

Dont let the lack of a $15-20 humidifier create a $200-400 repair. Solid bodies are usually okay, but keep an eye on semi and fullly hollow bodies as well.

I need to do that,thanks for the reminder.

I use two small humidifiers in the Music Room, one at each end. That keeps the whole room at about 45%+ for the winter, even with the furnace ducting in there. That allows me to leave all the guitars out that are normally out, including 2-3 acoustics. It also makes it easier for me to breathe when I'm down there practicing. According to my humidistat, the air in there is still 55-60%, so it will be a while before I fire them up.

It's a bit of a pain to have to keep refilling them all the time, but since I'm down there every single day and there's a sink close by, what the heck? Beats adjusting truss rods all winter and worrying.

_________________
Dennis in CR
Rockin' since 1963

I second the recommendation of Oasis Humidifiers. They are simple to maintain, just check them every now and then and top off with distilled water. I would also recommend a hygrometer to go in the case as well so you have an idea of what the humidity level is. I use Oasis hygrometers as well, they sell a bundle with a hygrometer and a humidifier.

http://oasishumidifiers.com/index.html

_________________
Bob

Fender CD280S NAT, Recording King RO-127
Squier Classic Vibe 50s Telecaster BSB
American Special/Highway One Telecaster hybrid Partscaster
Fender 60th Anv Am Std Telecaster, Natural/Rosewood
http://community.webshots.com/user/rjstaaf

Yep, I run a humidifier in my music room all winter to keep at about 50-55% RH.

Currently, my music room is at 60%RH but as soon as it gets cold and that forced air furnace kicks on, so does my humidifier.

Thanks for the reminder.

At first last year, late fall,early winter; the acoustics started coming in, at first it was great, for us not the owners. We had work coming in during a slow period, but i have to say, after a month and a half; we couldnt even move around the shop. We had all these acoustics coming in; cracked tops, bindings coming off, necks needing reset, etc. Ontop of that; the GC we service had a bunch of work for us, we couldnt keep up. Ive only been doing this full on for a little over a year, my friend has been doing it for over 10. He said he's never seen anyting like we had last winter. Matter of fact, we still have a couple acoustics that need repair from last year (owners didnt care when we got to them).
It seems so small, but its huge. I know; acoustics sound like crap when they're humidified, and dry wood sounds better, i agree, but busted guitars sound the worse.

**Also as a tip; if you dont want all your strings rusting out every week, use either fast fret, or some mineral oil based string cleaner/lubricator. This will help protect your strings from the humidity.

I know humidity is important for acoustic guitars, but do Stratocasters and other solid body guitars also need to be kept at a certain humidity?

Nah, im sure some people will say so, but they arent going to have any issues; especially MIM's, the poly finish is thick enough to keep it intact after a nuclear explosion.

Thanks Windwalker. The reason I asked is that I've noticed my guitars (a MIM Strat and an Epiphone SG) seem to keep their intonation longer when I keep them in their cases versus keeping them out on guitar stands. I was thinking humidity may be the cause, but what you said makes sense that the poly coating will prevent moisture from penetrating into the wood.

Well, yes, necks will move around. I usually end up adjusting the truss rod about a dozen times a year depending how much I play a particular guitar. Summer it swells, so you end up having to dial some relief into it so the action goes up a little, winter drop it.

what I mean is you don't have to worry about any damage from the change in temp.

Thanks for the explanation. I greatly appreciate your advice.

Youre welcome