Humidifying Ad Nauseum

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Kaloguitarist

Posts: 126
Joined: May 12 2020

Humidifying Ad Nauseum

So, I have had a horrible experience with this guitar tech. Too long of a story, but, I think my guitar problems might be resolved by humidifying the guitar.

Questions:

1) Do I use my gnarly traveling soap dish humidifier that I made (drilled holes on top and placed sponge inside)? I made two, but, I can use one and place at the headstock?

2) Or do I get dampit, or Nomad humidifier where it hangs in the hole of the guitar?

Last, I don't want to over humidify my guitar either and have the wood swell up. I will get hydrometer, but, can't seem to find one with a good review of accuracy..

Thanks,
Kalo

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 2 2021 23:42:20

RobF

Posts: 1611
Joined: Aug. 24 2017

RE: Humidifying Ad Nauseum (in reply to Kaloguitarist)

Hi Kalo, I don’t know if you’ve already told us this, but what kind of case are you using? A gig bag or loosely sealed case isn’t going to work very well with the soap dish humidifier, it’s too drafty. A case like that is going to struggle even if the humidifier is placed in the soundhole.

Depending on what you have now, and of course your budget, it might be worth upgrading to a fibreglass style case with seals at the seams. The case doesn’t have to go with the guitar if you sell it, you can keep the case for the next guitar - it’s a good investment. A sealed case and humidifier will provide a more stable climate and you might not have to refill the soundhole (or soap dish) humidifier as often.

Also, air conditioning can do a real number on a guitar. If the guitar is being stored or placed near the air outlet, that could cause problems.

And....I feel a little bad for the tech because a loose jack can indicate a too dry guitar, he was right about that. Just in case that’s one of the reasons you don’t have a lot of confidence in him.

At any rate, all these problems can be solved. Hopefully you can get everything sorted out affordable because if it’s got a pickup system that’s a nice guitar to have around, even if you get something else nicer down the road.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 3 2021 0:23:11

Kaloguitarist

Posts: 126
Joined: May 12 2020

RE: Humidifying Ad Nauseum (in reply to Kaloguitarist)

quote:

Hi Kalo, I don’t know if you’ve already told us this, but what kind of case are you using? A gig bag or loosely sealed case isn’t going to work very well with the soap dish humidifier, it’s too drafty. A case like that is going to struggle even if the humidifier is placed in the soundhole.

Depending on what you have now, and of course your budget, it might be worth upgrading to a fibreglass style case with seals at the seams. The case doesn’t have to go with the guitar if you sell it, you can keep the case for the next guitar - it’s a good investment. A sealed case and humidifier will provide a more stable climate and you might not have to refill the soundhole (or soap dish) humidifier as often.

Also, air conditioning can do a real number on a guitar. If the guitar is being stored or placed near the air outlet, that could cause problems.

And....I feel a little bad for the tech because a loose jack can indicate a too dry guitar, he was right about that. Just in case that’s one of the reasons you don’t have a lot of confidence in him.

At any rate, all these problems can be solved. Hopefully you can get everything sorted out affordable because if it’s got a pickup system that’s a nice guitar to have around, even if you get something else nicer down the road.

Hi RobF,

The tech fixed the input jack and told me he could not find anything else wrong with guitar other than it seemed dry to him.

I am going to wait and see what happens.

I have played the guitar and it is still somewhat buzzing but not as bad as it did when I first brought it to him. It does feel that the buzzing might be coming from bridge and or where the pick ups are located...

As for the guitar case it is TKL hard case. I keep the guitar in the case and lay it flat on the floor in my closet when I am not playing.

You mite be right about the case not being sealed good enough though... IS there a link where you can send regarding a good fiber case?

I want this guitar to last, because well, I like it and I think I can progress. I know many say it is not ideal for flamenco because of the narrow nut, but to be truthful, I do not mind the specs at all on this guitar and it plays nice....

Thanks for your help!

Kalo

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 3 2021 2:05:24

rombsix

Posts: 7808
Joined: Jan. 11 2006
From: Beirut, Lebanon

RE: Humidifying Ad Nauseum (in reply to Kaloguitarist)

https://www.amazon.com/PW-HPRP-03-DAddario-Humidification-Replacement-Packets/dp/B003HNY1IY/ref=sr_1_7?crid=1I4GTDLF48P33&dchild=1&keywords=daddario%2Bhumidipak&qid=1630660359&sprefix=daddario%2Bhum%2Caps%2C200&sr=8-7&th=1

Have you tried these? I've had good success with them.

Perhaps start with the D'Addario Two-Way Humidification System Conditioning (75% Relative Humidity level) Packets since you're saying the guitar is super dry, then move onto the D'Addario Humidipak System Replacement Packets (45-50% relative humidity level) for maintenance.

_____________________________

Ramzi

http://www.youtube.com/rombsix

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 3 2021 10:18:03

Kaloguitarist

Posts: 126
Joined: May 12 2020

RE: Humidifying Ad Nauseum (in reply to Kaloguitarist)

Thanks Ramzi,

I was using those and they dried out so quick...I was recharging like crazy. Most techs have told me that those do not work good in AZ...

I called Accoustic Vibes (I wish I would of gone to them instead) The Tech was nice, he told me to get nomad humidifier (the one that you just stick in the hole, it has a sponge built inside. And to also use my homemade humidifier towards the headstock.

However, I might just go back to what you have suggest. I found this as it they D'Addario also has the two way humidification that comes with a hydrometer. It goes for $55.00, mite be worth it..

Thanks again,
Kalo

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 3 2021 15:18:27

JasonM

Posts: 2055
Joined: Dec. 8 2005
From: Baltimore

RE: Humidifying Ad Nauseum (in reply to Kaloguitarist)

quote:

Last, I don't want to over humidify my guitar either and have the wood swell up. I will get hydrometer, but, can't seem to find one with a good review of accuracy..

I have 5 different digital humidity gauges. They are all close enough in accuracy for guitar work, and they are more accurate than the gauges that come built into room humidifier. The little Inkbird brand one that fits inside your case is like 10$ on Amazon. I’ve had one for a long time. I also use the Nomad sponge and like it. If it were me, I would try to compare the humidity percent to what’s in the case vs the room. You could get two of those little gauges. Another pricier and unnecessary option I personally use, is to get a big whole room humidifier which has the added bonus of making living conditions more pleasant during the winters here.

Well, I think it’s good news the tech didn’t find any cracked braces. Sounds like the guitar is pretty dry!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 3 2021 16:19:47

Kaloguitarist

Posts: 126
Joined: May 12 2020

RE: Humidifying Ad Nauseum (in reply to Kaloguitarist)

JasonM,

A month ago, I purchased a humidifier that holds a gallon of water for night time...My sinuses are block and it seems to be helping...

Maybe I should just have it on during the day with my guitar on the stand and let it hydrate...LOL

I am going to look at the hydrometers you suggested and I think the best bet is to get a nomad humidifier that goes in the sound hole of the guitar...

Ramzi, had suggested the D Addario, I so wanted it to work, but, rotating them every week, and recharging the extra ones take forever because of the dryness.

Any how, I really appreciate everyones input, and I plan to video (ugh) my buleria this long weekend..

Thanks Again,
Kalo

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 3 2021 16:30:48

BarkellWH

Posts: 3458
Joined: Jul. 12 2009
From: Washington, DC

RE: Humidifying Ad Nauseum (in reply to Kaloguitarist)

quote:

Do I use my gnarly traveling soap dish humidifier that I made (drilled holes on top and placed sponge inside)? I made two, but, I can use one and place at the headstock?

Kalo,

My guitar maestro and good friend Paco de Malaga suggested using a soap dish with holes on top and a wet sponge inside. He is a professional flamenco guitarist and knows his business.

I have been using this method for years with good results. Although the humidifying soap dish and sponge are in the headstock area of the case, the humidity produced is dispersed throughout the case. I recommend it.

Bill

_____________________________

And the end of the fight is a tombstone white,
With the name of the late deceased,
And the epitaph drear, "A fool lies here,
Who tried to hustle the East."

--Rudyard Kipling

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 7 2021 18:23:08

Kaloguitarist

Posts: 126
Joined: May 12 2020

RE: Humidifying Ad Nauseum (in reply to Kaloguitarist)

Hi Bill

I did the traveling soap dish with sponge. I made two, but, what I ended up doing was getting a music nomad humidifier. I bought one for the sound hole of the guitar, and another one for the guitar case.

It works good and my GK seems to be doing much better. I thought about using the homemade soap dish in my case with the nomad humidifier, but that may be overkill...

Kalo

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 7 2021 20:08:10