First and foremost, these are wood instruments. Think about
it. Most times, there are numerous woods melded together to create
your beautiful classical guitar. Different woods react differently
and at varying rates to temperature and humidity changes. You may
have 3 or 4 different woods (including bindings) reacting simultaneously
to your conditions. OK...so what does wood need?
- They need a certain amount of humidity in the air or in the case!
- 35-60% relative humidity
should be sufficient.
- Use a damp-it or a moist
sponge in the case (wrapped in a soap box with small holes)...only when
it is dry out...only!!! See further below.
- I recommend the
Oasis Humidifier or the
Planet Waves Humidifier
- Get a small hygrometer and
put it in the case so you can see, at a glance, what the humidity is in
the case.
- Get a digital hygrometer
for your room. Always know your conditions.
- Humidifiers are relatively
inexpensive, quiet and can give you piece of mind.
- Keep the guitar in the case
when you're not playing it. Especially if your home is dry.
I can not emphasize this more. Keeping the guitar in its case is
its best defense against environmental conditions.
- Please DO NOT humidify your guitar in the summer or if humidity is
above 60%. Take the Oasis humidifier out of the guitar and case!
Your guitar does not need MORE humidity. Too much is as bad as too
little.
- An instrument's
worst enemy is sudden change. Too humid to dry conditions or vice
versa and sudden temperature changes will crack your baby.
Guaranteed.
- Do not
store your guitar and case in the trunk of your car. Cold days to
warm inside temperatures...CRACK. Hot days in the sun to your Air
conditioned home or office...CRACK. The guitar will find the
weakest seams and crack. You have to see it to believe it.
I'd rather you didn't see it. :-)
