Temperature and Humidity - Caring For Your Guitar

Summer has come to a close for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere and for a lot of us that means the relative humidity in our homes is starting to climb. This increase in relative humidity can have dramatic effects on your guitar if steps aren’t taken to control the environment the guitar is kept in.

Wood is hygroscopic so will always have a tendency to move, even the well seasoned wood we use will move with fluctuations in temperature and humidity throughout the year.

As we build each instrument, we ensure the workshop is kept at a steady temperature and relative humidity. We aim to keep the workshop at the same levels as that of an average house - between 18-20˚C (64-68˚F) and between 45-55% relative humidity. We consider this to be the ideal range to keep a guitar in.

If the humidity is too high, wood will absorb some of this moisture and expand or swell. This can have a detrimental effect on an instruments tone, aesthetics and in extreme cases even the structure of the guitar. If the humidity in your house has started to increase you may notice the guitar has started to sound dull, lacks projection or the action has increased. Using a dehumidifier is the most effective way of lowering and maintaining relative humidity levels. An in-case dehumidifier such as the D’Addario Humidipak is a simple way of maintaining the correct humidity levels for you guitar. If the humidity is very high, an electric dehumidifier might be needed in the room which you store your guitar in.

Low humidity can also cause problems for instruments. This is most commonly a problem over winter with cold dry conditions outside and the central heating creating a lot of hot, dry air. Fret ends sticking out proud of the fingerboard is a sign that the wood is drying and shrinking in low relative humidity. Audibly, it can cause unusual rattles or give your guitar a tinny tone. Again the in-case D’Addario Humidipak is an easy way of protecting your guitar against these conditions.

The worst case scenario for wood conditions, be it too high or too low relative humidity, is that cracks can form in the front, back and sides of the instrument - so it is imperative that humidity is monitored and controlled. Humidity sensors - or hygrometers - are the best way of keeping track of the conditions your guitar is being kept in. We recommend keeping a digital hygrometer in the case with your guitar so that you can keep track of any changes in relative humidity. For a simple sensor, the Oasis OH-2 will give you all the information you require. A more high-tech option is the SensorPush HT.w which can send the humidity and temperature to your phone and can alert you if the humidity climbs to high or drops too low.

Above all, we recommend keeping your guitar in its case. The case will protect it not only from dents and scrapes but will also protect your guitar from extreme swings in temperature and humidity. If your guitar is kept on a stand outside of its case, it is important to keep it out of direct sunlight. The high temperatures from sunlight through a window can cause cracks in the finish or the wood, and could weaken the glue joints of the instrument.

Following these simple steps to control the temperature and humidity will ensure you get the best from your guitar throughout the year.