How to humidify acoustic guitar properly before it's too late!!! When to humidify and how to!

[@LavekGaming]

I don't play any of the style you play, flamenco guitarist here,, but I find the sounds and information extremely captivating and useful. Thank you!

[@waynedavies3185]

A few years back, I picked up an old violin, that sat in it's wooden case for nearly 100 years. It sat not far from a furnace in a basement of a home all that time, rarely being moved, from where it sat. That past owner, knew nothing about violins, as it came with the house, when he bought it, and was left forgotten for years on end, alone in the basement. One day, I was talking to the owner ( who since has pasted away from old age), that I enjoy picking a few tunes on a guitar, that's when he brought up the fact about having this old violin, sitting idle in his basement, doing nothing, and didn't even know who once owned it before him. To make this story shorter, I bought the old violin off him, and redid the whole violin over to nice playing condition. It was structurally I fair condition, but the gluing was giving out on it. I carefully open it up, and re-glued the whole thing, and when finished, strung it up, and it played beautifully for an old violin, that had sat for so long, without someone giving it some TLC, and a small amount of new parts, like new tuning pegs etc. That violin never was humidified (like mentioned here), yet it played beautifully, once it had new strings on it. Point I'm trying to put across is, that I don't think having to humidify a stringed instrument is all that vital, when it is left in normal room temperatures, and humidity. I've had this violin for just over 10 yrs. now, and it plays just as beautiful now, as it did when I first finished working on it. It still has the normal everyday markings of age it had, when I first got it, but there is no sign of any cracks, warping, or any other issues mentioned here. I do keep a very close eye on all my instruments, by giving them a close inspection once every two weeks, specially when not playing them often enough. I still have the old, un-used "1905 replacement strings" (the date they were made, is marked on the packages). I even found in the old "wooden coffin case", at the time I bought it, a dried out, old bottle of lippage's glue, used to make a bow repair. It's kept at proper room temperature, along with my guitars, and other string instruments, and I see no problems occurring on how I safely store them. I feel if there's enough proper moisture in the air for humans, my instruments are just fine.

[@Kaderpeck]

Thanks for the info. I was curious about my guitars' dryness and if it was too late to humidify, but after watching this video, I am relieved and happy that I did not wait too long! Now I know how to catch up with the proper humidity and save my "almost too dry" Martin. Thanks again.

[@RandySchartiger]

+Doot Derman It's really strange if drying out how one can play their guitar every day then all the sudden BOOM and a big crack show up out of nowhere. I'm glad the video was useful to you and a big thank you for watching and commenting!

[@RandySchartiger]

+Doot Derman btw I have a newer updated video on this subject if you want to check it out, it may have some things I left out of this one.

[@Kaderpeck]

If you have a link to that newer video, I sure would appreciate it? Thanks

[@RandySchartiger]

Doot Derman Here ya go,thanks again for checking them out. kzbin.info/www/bejne/noOndmOHabule7M

[@Kaderpeck]

Thanks man! ...I subscribed to your post... I put a sponge in a zip lock with slices in the case up by the head. Then, I put a pickle jar lid with a modified/cut dish sponge in the lid w/water and put it into the body. Finally, I took an old CD and cut a smaller sponge to fit into the center hole of the CD, wet the piece of sponge(as a "quick look" indicator), on top of the sound hole of guitar. I have pics of it, but do not know how to post them on this reply. Cheers!

[@pipeboilermakerweldermg3215]

great advice. i 've been meaning to do that for a long time ,today 's the day thanks for all the great info. i learn something everytime i watch your vids.

[@LVGaryD1]

I love the idea of using a dish sponge in a baggie with holes sliced in it. Just noticed all of my acoustic guitars are getting dried out again, so I put the Seagull and the Breedlove into their cases with humidifiers. The Seagull was really dry, so I used the dish sponge method. Will check them in a day or two and moisten the sponges again. The Esteban is also very dry, but I have to leave one of the three sit out to play whenever I grab it. Once the others get good and humidified, I will let the Esteban soak for a week or so in the case. I only have two hard cases, so the Esteban is low man on the totem pole. :)

[@grandnaguszek7417]

Good information. Over-humidification is also a real problem for a lot of people (because of the climate), some guitars bulge up real bad which causes high action and sometimes braces to come loose.

[@MPJGuitarClub]

Very educational, gonna do this with my students!

[@lerax2010]

I visited US two years ago and bought a Martin guitar. This winter I noticed distortion of the guitar top. Thank God there is no cracks. I hope humidifacation will help and its not too late...

[@TheSaneHatter]

I did find that one of those Kyser lifeguards worked just fine for a semester up in the Rockies, protecting a Martin D-35 with diligent, daily use. And a good thing, too, because it was my Dad's guitar, borrowed. In contrast, failure to use one had prompted a crack in the soundboard of MY Ovation, just previously. We got it repaired, but I never made that mistake again! Even today, it might be my only option, since my guitar has no hardshell case, and rests on a stand. And I do suspect I need it, because I just checked according to your recommendation: sunken soundhole, high action at the neck.

[@yinyangja]

I am a new subscriber. I'm glad this video popped up in my recommended watch list I've had acoustic guitars for over 40 years and I never bothered to humidify them, though I knew it was a good idea. Now I have a 2 year old Martin Custom D. It's all real wood: spruce top and mahogany back and sides. It's like the cheapest all wood Martin, but it's the best acoustic I ever owned.. I also have a 1988 Yamaha FG-450s that I bought used. It has a solid spruce top but I think laminate rosewood back and sides. Anyway, I actually found a humidifier that I think was sent in the Yamaha case that I put aside. I used that inside the Martin sound hole Then I used a few medicine bottles that I drilled a bunch of holes in and stuffed sponges in. They are gonna work good in the cases and I used a shoestring tied to one and inserted in the Yamaha sound hole.. Thanks. :)

[@yinyangja]

Oh...I really like how the Yamaha plays. I mean the Martin is really nice. I added ebony pegs and a bone saddle. But anyway, is there anything you can tell me about the 1988 Yamaha FG 450s ? It really is nice for the price I think it was originally. I paid $225 for it on Ebay about 1 1/2 years ago

[@RandySchartiger]

Yamaha FG 450s are awesome guitars! I worked on one a few months ago and it sounded almost as good as a Martin in my opinion, but then Yamaha makes some great guitars, they are heavy built and well braced, It's amazing they can sound so good for as heavy bracing as they have inside. Thanks for tuning in John and welcome aboard my friend!

[@TheOnlyGuitarFather]

I’ve got two guitars with humidity cracks . Call it being too young to care. But ones a cheap Ibanez the others a Taylor 214.. I was wondering if you have any videos installing cleats so I can practice on my beater. Both currently humidifying to even it out. Enjoy your videos!

[@RandySchartiger]

Learn to repair your guitars and other instruments! Also learn to play guitar! Free licks and riffs here!

[@syedhashir1159]

Hello, How can I dehumidify the little martin guitar? I want to make my own thing.

[@jeffammon3135]

Thanks again. Always entertaining and informative

[@jimiguitar100]

thank you so much man. I never knew how important humidity is for a guitar. I have a j45 for nearly 2 years. I want to keep it safe :) . I just subscribed and I will look at your other videos. Also I will encourage all my friends to do so. This seems very important indeed. I think that every customer should be warned about this when he's buying a new instrument, Especially expencive ones... Cheers

[@mypetdrgn]

Waiting for my new acoustic and have been trying to educate myself on this subject... trying to do the right thing on the onset... glad to have stumbled on this vid...good insight, well explained, great examples.. as a drummer moving to bass and guitar I'm going to check your teaching!

[@dalepal]

Very good advice. It’s time for all to think about this again with the dry winter season coming soon. I wish I knew about proper humidity a long time ago. I have an old guitar I got in the 70’s that got dried out and has a crack. I now have house and room humidifiers and use Dampit.

[@RandySchartiger]

+Dale Palmer Yep that time of year is upon us again, or approaching fast! It's pretty amazing just how fast our guitars can dry out too, even when humidified properly they can dry out quickly, it doesn't take long on some guitars for damage to start to occur. Thanks for checking out my vids man!

[@danr5105]

Hi Randy. Took my new Martin (D16E) in for its 1 month post sale checkup. I mentioned to the tech the top was feeling a bit rough and the grain pattern was getting "raised". My room was too dry. I was storing it out of the case and in line with the AC vent (I live in Tucson AZ). When the tech told me that I was lucky it did not crack my stomach turned. I feel like I dodged a bullet. They gave me a device to put in the soundhole that I charge with water,daily. Store these things in the case, no more of this "keep it in sight so you remember to practice" BS. I feel I almost lost this beautiful 1 month old guitar. Oh, the device is the one you show here (the Kyser). No playing my Martin for a few days. I will play my Yamaha FG830 (it also has a solid top though) I feel both sick and lucky. Update. After only 24hrs with the Kyser soundhold humidifier device install,almost no indication of dryness. I had taken this new guitar in for a 1 month post sale checkup yesterday. Tech said the dryness was extreme, "only a few more days, then one bump and then a split". It has been in the high 90's (105F yesterday and today,with only 10% humidity) but the big deal I feel, I was storing the guitar directly under the room AC vent. I was wondering why my Yamaha FG830 (also a solid top) did not show this problem, the Yamaha was not so close to the AC vent. Now I am gun shy about even taking the Martin out of its case. I was up at the store looking for a laminate guitar for my outside work. Tech said "get out of here and play that Martin" Well OK.

[@RandySchartiger]

yup it happens, especially if you live in a dry place with low humidity. get you a hygrometer, put it inside your sound hole, then cover the hole with plastic (or anything that don't absorb moister and check the humidity levels every day, after 48 hours you should always read 45-55% humidity and you'll be ok. thanks for checking out my videos! I have several other videos on this if you'd like to check them out. search the channel for guitar humidifying they should pop up.

[@ronhammar1154]

Randy ! In my opinion I do not humidify any of my guitars at all but I dont live in the desert and I dont put my guitar next to the wood stove or in the trunk of a car on a hot summer day ! If you want a glue joint to release ( like when you are doing a neck reset ) you use moisture and heat so why would you want to humidify a guitar ? I would never store my guitar in a damp basement ! I am sure you wont agree but thats OK ! I do neck resets using steam and humidity and I do not remove the neck and when I am done ( you will never know it had been done ) it does not go back into the shape it was in when it needed a neck reset but in fact goes into the shape I want it to go and that was most likely where it was at the factory and I have done 5 so far and that has been years ago now and they have not moved as far as I know and 2 of them are mine ! I just noticed this video was 10 years ago !

[@countryalexander7175]

Thanks Randy! Very good information!

[@vKarl71]

If you keep your home reasonably well humidified your guitars will be healthier - and so will you. It's not brain surgery.

[@garyrayray9402]

OK Randy. Two things I have noticed! I have watched several vids on humidify acoustics! Never have I seen anyone say anything about what can happen to a bridge and belly bow if the strings are not backed off while you humidify! It seems to me that the tension on the strings would cause more damage and (no tension would allow the wood to return back) to its original shape or form somewhat better! Another thing I have not seen, (is nobody that does these vids) ever say anything about when done with humidify process ( how long to wait after,) before restringing the thing! (The fresh moister from the process softens up the wood) and to (string it up to soon can cause the tension to warp the sound board at the bridge) and also put stress on structure but the bridge belly bow could also get worse because the wood has moister and as a result is softer!or If there was no belly bow it could cause belly bow with tension! I have to wonder whats the best thing to do with string tension before and after the process? Im sure others may not realize what can happen if not done right, what (do you suggest tension, or no tension)? Dry out some or not dry out? How long to wait to restring?

[@jimfarris1160]

I have the same concerns. I realize this comment is a year old, but I just got here. I'm currently doing this to an old Kawai guitar I got in a thrift shop. No big loss if it fails miserably. I backed off all of the strings because the bow in the back of the bridge and the dip in front is pretty severe. Didn't remove them completely, but it is now severely out of tune. I am certain that if/as it comes back to shape something will break. May end up using a bridge doctor as a last ditch effort. I'll come back and give an update if I succeed or fail. See you in a week or two. :)

[@abmbarry]

Thanks Randy, ... great advice! One of my guitars is a 52 year old EKO 12 string that I will be taking the bridge off and flattening the belly. However, .. I can see that before I start, I certainly need to remove the string tension and give it a big drink! In fact I'll go and do it now! ... Guilty as charged.

[@RandySchartiger]

lol it happens to us all at some point! Humidifying it properly may reduce a lot of the belly, it sometimes does and fixes many things like open cracks. Best of luck getting her back among the living. :) Thanks for viewing!

[@abmbarry]

Hi Randy, Yup! 6 days with a damp sponge in a slit plastic bag and hanging the body in the shower area made it workable. I machined up a cantilever bridge torque block with a brass threaded boss cut to .75mm pitch, screwed it under the bridge .. One revolution of the threaded rod per day for 3 days, then fine adjustments for another 2 days, ........ almost flat again! I'll keep adjusting over the next couple of months. New set of strings and tuned down to D, intonation = excellent now. Fret job soon, I dressed them and gave them a polish, however, ..... not much meat left on the lamb. Cheers Randy, ... Baz

[@soundproof714]

fantastic pickin my friend!!, great tips, when i bought my martin a crack turned up on it after 6 months, had to take it in and get it repaired!!

[@RandySchartiger]

Thank you Gary! And thanks for watching, yep it will happen if they are not properly humidified for long enough.

[@franksavage8730]

Always the great advice Randy ...Thanks dude im on it for my Martin love your vids bro!

[@RandySchartiger]

I'm going to be doing another updated video on this subject, it's that time of year again, thanks for viewing Frank, always appreciated.

[@franksavage8730]

No problem Randy my pal from across the pond, ive already done of them homemade ones of yours and put it in the case with the martin until the green doohickey arrives from Amazon! Thanks again brother i never thought of it!

[@gibsonrose8847]

hey randy i hear you talk about your airconditioning in the house that never sleeps. i want to say watch out with ac and instruments because ac takes humidity out the area. And when you use heating use those ceramic buckets then you humidifie youre room. sorry for the bad english. i hope your understand what i mean hahaha keep the good work up mate! greetz from belgium

[@bridlingtonengland75]

Thanks for the informative video

[@ridha3248]

Thanks alot man . Very good info

[@ArthurElizondo]

I am buying 5 or more hydrometers. I didn't even know about them before your video. I relied on a wall-hung du dad that has temperature/humidity. Concerning home made stuff, I made a few humidifiers from popsicle makers. P.S. I love your video on sanding the bridge.

[@RandySchartiger]

Arthur Elizondo Thanks bro, I'm glad my videos helped, I've got one guitar the back split open from being so dry, got a good deal on it because of it, people just don't realize how important humidifying them really is. Thanks for tuning in my friend I appreciate it!

[@glennhall9877]

I'm a new subscriber. Just watch this video and have watched many other videos from you. You are very knowledgeable and appreciate you sharing that with me. Thank you. Would like to ask thousand more questions.

[@OjonugwaMansu]

And also you said the green hose looking things were your favourite what are those called again and are they on Amazon? And also would you recommend the sponges? like do you use it a lot, and does it work really well.

[@always_pickin3565]

Do you need a humidifier if your room says in the 45 to 55% range ? I have a humidifier and dehumidifier in the room I keep I guitars in.

[@IWearShaqs]

I live in Mobile,Alabama. The A/C stays on in my house.I have owned a Martin for two years and it sits on a stand. I wasn't aware that I needed to do this. I'm staying at my Grandmother's house for the time being, but now I'm anxious....I need to get home and save my baby!!

[@RandySchartiger]

RussMC you'll probably be alright, Alabama it's just as humidified as WV :) is maybe more I don't know but you should be okay.

[@OjonugwaMansu]

For the homemade sponges can you put one or two inside the guitar?

[@darickhibbert9170]

Thank you Sir. I had a feeling that's what did it. I kept it humidified, but left it at where i jam. When i made it back a few weeks later. The case was sitting on a heat register. Could've strangled my buddy.

[@darickhibbert9170]

...might have been a month.

[@RandySchartiger]

Wow no doubt that dried it out faster than the wood could react.

[@RandySchartiger]

Alf Agerup Thanks for watching my friend, I wish I could reply to your posts but google+ just won't allow it.

[@brobeatsmcgeets3528]

if you wanna save packs and not buy over and over you can put in a jar with a wet paper cloth on the side and it will pull the humidity from it and whala u have ur humidity bag refilled with humidity and can reuse

[@randolphpatterson5061]

It would seem that any time the soundhole is covered or sealed, the instrument could maintain a given moisture level for a longer period, assuming the guitar's environment is going to vary constantly with travel and use. The soundhole humidifier may work as good as anything, but it's worth mentioning that the worst thing that can happen to an instrument is a rapid drying out. A solid top especially can experience rather severe shrinkage laterally, and can cause the top to split along the grain. Excess moisture, on the other hand is absorbed by wood cells and expands laterally, creating the opposite problem. This reactive wood movement is pronounced on solid tops and can stress the joints and the dimensional stability. So any cover on the soundhole will act to slow the rate of drying, and some kind of advanced interior humidifier might be capable of actually metering the wood's moisture content. A lot of acoustic players use a cover to fight feedback, so such a humidifier could perhaps take advantage of the newer pinless wood meters by combining one with a smart dispenser that installs in the body. Just daydreaming....

[@RandySchartiger]

+randolph patterson Very good and accurate info! I would always keep my sound hole covered when we were playing and traveling a lot and monitor the inside guitars humidity. Thanks for your post, it will help everyone who reads it.

[@jolainbrideau7030]

randolph patterson i

[@sisco0304]

I think it also depends where you live if you live in the desert or rural country town then I think it has more impact Iam thinking of buying my starter guitar does this happen to solid top guitars only or laminated top guitars to???

[@TheUnionman315]

wow old buddy you got some moves good to have some one who plays teaching how to do things love

[@darickhibbert9170]

i need the neck reset on my Martin. Could that have been caused by a lack of humidity? Cool show Randy. Thanks for makin em.

[@RandySchartiger]

Lack of humidity can sure add to the reason it needs reset, constant string tension and lack of humidity contributes to the need of a neck reset over time. Thanks my friend!

[@rowley0011]

Good information to know Randy! Thumbs up! I guess I am going to have to go shopping!! Thank you for posting this!! Suzanne :)

[@RandySchartiger]

Thanks for watching Suzanne! I dunno why but KZbin didn't notify me of a bunch of messages on this video, I was just looking thru my vids and noticed them and yours was one. Anyways thanks for your support, I hope the vids are helpful.

[@alfagerup162]

Thanks for the good guitar-life-saving advise !

[@gordonkaison1309]

I know im randomly asking but does any of you know of a way to get back into an instagram account? I was stupid forgot the account password. I love any tricks you can give me.

[@mackalfonso7423]

@Gordon Kaison Instablaster =)

[@gordonkaison1309]

@Mack Alfonso thanks for your reply. I got to the site thru google and Im trying it out now. Looks like it's gonna take quite some time so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@gordonkaison1309]

@Mack Alfonso It did the trick and I finally got access to my account again. I'm so happy:D Thank you so much you saved my account !

[@mackalfonso7423]

@Gordon Kaison No problem :)

[@papawx3]

Many years ago I knew an old picker {I'm sure he has passed by now} who used to eat an apple, then drop the uneaten core down into the sound hole! He swore it kept his old Gibson {J-35} from cracking and developing other problems. after a couple of weeks, he would remove the dried out core and eat another apple. Imagine that.

[@RandySchartiger]

lol that'd be a great way to keep a guitar humidified, too many people forget to monitor their humidity until their guitars start coming apart, but it's often too late then. thanks for checking out my videos!

[@Ensource]

papawx3 interesting comment. would be good to do a test with a hydrometer and measure the levels

[@jumpercable20]

I've been looking for a Mahogany Trumpet.

[@Mark-iq6hi]

Going this afternoon to buy a Fender F 75, hoping that it is in good condition and that it was was humidified but the seller told me that he had been taking guitar lessons in high school and quit leaving the guitar in it's case in his closet for close to ten years getting it out every few months. So, I hope it is worth the trip!!!!

[@RandySchartiger]

I would recommend humidifying it as soon as you can when you get it, or at least put a hygrometer inside and measure the humidity, this will give you a good indication of whether it needs it or not. good luck!

[@robbmccain7140]

There is such a thing as over humid. Hydrometer for sure. I use dunlop pouchs with inserts and a sponge(dunlop) that is cased in plastic and fits down in the hole at stops from the strings. My hydro don't lie. Just found ya Randy, Good poop.

[@davidmiles533]

The black humidifier is full of oasis. The dampit is getting harder and harder to find but I’ve had mine for decades. The humidity here in the North East is too high in the summer and too low in Winter. As soon as the heat kicks in, I humidify. Otherwise it’s a dehumidifier running. But just as important is the temperature and that’s never mentioned in videos. The two go hand in hand. Wood is a living thing even after being cut and made into a guitar.

[@RandySchartiger]

yup you are right, I mention the temp but it must have been in another video, I have several videos on this subject and remember mentioning it but I wish I had in all of them. thanks for checking out my videos!

[@roberttindle4358]

Ok . Was given a burs wood guitar. Was in an attic. Neck has the hump at the body. Otherwise like new. Anyway excited to see how it comes out. Giving to grand daughter. How can I send u a photo.

[@froggiechar]

Randy, thanks for this great video, on how to humidify the guitar. I wish I would have watched this sooner, as my Epiphone has developed a few cracks on the front - surely because of the dryness in Illinois or with the heating on in the winter months? Peace, Charlie

[@RandySchartiger]

+Charles Pratt I would bet that's what cracked your guitar! Still if you humidify it usually those cracks will go back together, still be there but you can't see them as much.

[@froggiechar]

Thanks, Randy! I'm pretty sure it "was" the dryness - heat in the winter months that cracked it. I'll do what you suggest - humidify it. Thanks a lot! Peace, Charlie

[@freesk8]

Thanks! Just made a sponge-ziploc guitar humidifier! :)

[@davinajohnson9848]

Randy, I live by the sea in the UK and it is always humid, today it is dry and sunny outside and my hygrometer indoors reads 67%. At what point, if any, should I dehumidify? Thanks again for your amazing videos.✌️

[@donweb9689]

Anything above 55% can start to cause problems with swelling , your action will become high

[@coysmorris72]

Just got me a new Yamaha LL16 acoustic guitar all solid wood first time owning a all solid wood guitar I keep it in a molded case in my bedroom an I doing this right I trying keep air geting to it cause in my bed room I got a window air conditioner we use it in the summer time an a heat vent too all in same room I keeping my guitar on other side of my bedroom so it want be right next to all that air am I doing this right if got any good tips an short cuts for person on a budget help keep my new guitar temperature under control in my guitar case it would help I just worry about it your tips on your video help thinks Coy Morris

[@johnnyl1957]

Hey again Randy. Don't worry about a reply to my question on 'over-humidifying'. I've just read one of your replies to a previous comment/question. I'm going to have to purchase a humidifier.

[@robervk2534]

Hi Randy, amazing video, i have learned a lot with just watching 2 of your videos and believe me, you are a real MASTER, i have a question about this topic, i saw my Uncle using some kind of oil, i don't really know what kind of oil he was applying inside the guitar but, is that possible to use some kind of oil, i am really confuse, i will hear back from you, cheers!

[@dudeeadgbe6306]

you can squeeze access water from a Louzania sweet tea bag. would that work like your sponge trick?

[@wolfstalesm.chapman1640]

Thanks for this , someone gave me a warped simon & patrick luthier mahogany Guitar. She was right too think it Hard to play, after watching a Vid on KZbin i humidyfied it and i think the warp even went down,... I also sandpapered the saddle down..and now it seems much better. before it was like a tea box with elastic strings..with a bad action. Now i almost think i dont need another Instrument :)

[@RandySchartiger]

many times getting the humidity right will fix a lot of things, cracks go back together, warped tops get flatter, deformities correct themselves, pretty amazing. thanks for watching!

[@miker5502]

Thanks for this, acoustic guitars are delicate instruments. M.

[@RandySchartiger]

thank you my friend! and thanks for checking it out!

[@ptalbany]

I like the Oasis Guitar Humidifier na way for it to leak like some of the others and no part of it ever touches the wood of the guitar it uses Humigel that holds up to 500 times its weight in water in a gel form mine is like 7 years old and still works like the day I got it words cant tell you how great they are but like he said use something or your heading for trouble if you play a wood guitar

[@RandySchartiger]

Thanks Paul! I dunno why but KZbin didn't notify me of a bunch of messages on this video, I was just looking thru my vids and noticed them and yours was one. Anyways thanks for your support, I hope the vids are helpful.

[@mikepj1025]

paul taylor my Passos actually leaked. Had water spots on back from inside. Not cool. I haven’t used oasis since.

[@mikepj1025]

My oassis. Not Passos. Lol

[@dwsnsgp]

I got a humidity meter and made my own humidifier. Don’t think I have needed it more than one week a year.

[@grantperkins368]

good advice. My problem though, living in the tropics, is that in the wet season the thing sucks up so much moisture from the air that the bridge pressure lifts the belly up so as to make the action really high and turns it into a finger shredder. (I thought of buying a non-wood electric that would never change according to the weather, but i like acoustics.....) when the rains stop it shrinks back down, the top returns to its flat state and it plays a lot easier, :) So what's the best way to DEhumidify a guitar so I can play it comfortably all year round ?

[@jimjambananaslam3596]

Silica gel packs in your case would be my guess.

[@Flaxalf]

thanks for the tips man, great vid

[@RandySchartiger]

thank you my friend for checking out my videos!

[@KYTO82]

Great advice I have them little can's with clay in my cases to I had a Blue ridge br 140 nice guitar for the money!

[@RandySchartiger]

Blue Ridges are great sounding guitars for the money!

[@1958wvpicker]

Howdy Tim Hey Brother if you like Great Bluegrass with a few Great Twists an Turns Get Yourself a Copy Of Randy's Band CD It's Kick Ass stay cool Rich

[@filemakerpro4050]

Well crusty crud! Ive got a Martin DM .. Dreadnaught Mohogany - not a solid body mahogany, but for just under 1k for a US made acoustic (pre stratabond) it's mine and it sounds remarkable. I thought it sounded good after I bought it, but what I've noticed is about 5-7 years it really changed its voice - it sounds like the WOOD it's made of and has now for a good 5 years. *i live in the Central Valley of CA - it's an irrigated desert. Very dry in the summer and winter. I just wanted to stress that in my experience it is possible to over-humidify your guitar .. a little is going to go a long way. If your guitar is cracking or buckling it probably got major construction flaws that you'll never fix, which is the last point - where your guitar was manufactured and what finish your guitar has have a lot to do with this. If the wood has a NC finish, trapping moisture inside, and made in a humid environment then transferred to a dry climate you'll have a very different experience than a satin finish (or almost NO finish like my DM) made in Pennsylvania and making regular trips between the CA coast and the CA desert center. (great video. those homemade humidifiers are great - I wasn't sure I should be doing that till I saw this)

[@rickmurphy123]

randy this is rick on the gultar humidifer what is the hi and low number thank you you your time i love your video

[@RandySchartiger]

the moisture content of the wood should maintain 45-55% humidity and you will never have a problem. thanks for watching!

[@zuments]

Hi randy, i have a Gibson j200 ive had 25 years and while the top seems normal with slight dome, the back in the large bout has begun to concave now im worried, will some humidity inside take care of that? there are no cracks yet, ive begun to teach myself in the last 2-3 years on maintenance of acoustic guitars although i have played and owned guitars for 30 years, and now by watching yours and other youtube channels on guitar restoration im now getting an education on how this whole thing works, wish i would of learned these things along time ago but better late than never... now these videos are my favorite things to watch, i like seeing the end results from what they started out as, awesome.....

[@RandySchartiger]

sorry to hear this about your J200, most times they will return to normal after a week or two of humidifying, you should humidify inside as well as outside of your guitar. sometimes if the guitar has changed shape and you humidify it to get it back to normal the finish sometimes will crack, or even shatter, this happens because of the finish being bent so far and then forced back into its original shape, this doesn't always happen but there is a chance it will.

[@zuments]

wow 2 days of humidity with homemade sponges and baggies with punch holes in them and the concaving in the back of my j200 is gone, now there is now a very slight convex or dome very slight but straight edge rocks slightly now back and forth from where the sag was.....that's awesome

[@RandySchartiger]

this is good to hear! I hope you finish didn't crack or shatter, it would have already by now if it was going to. thanks for the follow up on this!

[@1958wvpicker]

Howdy Randy i have the Damits hahah they work great and i have the clay pots but man i really like the sponge Idea that's Great Thanks for the lesson stay cool Brother Rich

[@kevwilliams1]

Why don't retailers tell us about this process? Feel like they should, I've just bought a Gibson hummingbird and I'm worried it'll be dry now

[@NaijaBoiTellEm]

Informative video. Thanks!

[@RandySchartiger]

+muscles662988 Thanks for your comment mate!

[@NaijaBoiTellEm]

No problem!

[@musicferret1829]

Great info Randy I never new about this, tell me does this same thing apply to Fiddles and Mandolins?

[@RandySchartiger]

+steff king Yessir sure does, the very same applies. Thanks for tuning in! :)

[@digitaldj5700]

Love your show. Randy

[@HOWARDdlx]

Hey Randy thanks for your videos! I have a guitar I built that I was getting lacquered and the guy left it in his humid shop (down in Houston) for a year without touching it. When I got it back the top bellow the bridge was starting to dip just on the left side. Is it too humid? Or would adding humidity still help it? It’s still unfinished and I wanna fix this before finishing it myself

[@TheCALFORD]

Hell!!! you got me scared to death Randy. But everything you said makes sense. I live in the UK and my boxes are normally at 45ish% but at the moment ts dropped to 33%. I work away so I got my wife to put bowls of water in my guitar room lol.

[@RandySchartiger]

Better to be sorry than safe! I get nervous too when the humidity levels drop and it's always dry here in the winter months. I keep humidifiers in each case and monitor them pretty close. Cheers! :)

[@keithleach1880]

Just remember when working with sponges they are also used to dehumidify so one must be carefull.I was using a sponge type and it was wetter when i took it out than when i put it in next thing i knew my strings were on my fretboard and to the shop it went!

[@stevekirkland2982]

Should I hydrate from inside the soundhole if a top Crack does not go all the way through or can we skip to glue? thanks!

[@RandySchartiger]

Yes definitely hydrate from the inside and out, the crack should close up. Thanks for viewing!

[@johnhaas951]

I keep a small towel in my case to wipe my hands or the guitar.Is this a bad idea,is it absorbing humidity that should be going to the guitar ?Its a J45 thats 50 years old and it has developed a slight crack below the bridge . I've just started to humidify with dampets.

[@robdonell9915]

Hello fellow guitarist. Is your guitar tuned to DADGAD?

[@reasonrally6658]

How long do I need to leave a humidifier in my guitar before taking it out? Just over night? TY!!

[@raymondgonzales8183]

3 days

[@7hecu77er]

I've been pondering this, and whilst I obviously think its a good idea - it is quite expensive to buy some humidifiers for guitars - so here is what I came up with recently - I took a kids pop bottle- approximately 200-250 ml with a pop up opening. Tied it to piece of string, passed the string through an old cd/dvd to cover the hole in the guitar and left it dangling by the string, round the neck of the guitar, inside when the guitar is on it's stand. I will post a pic of anyone is interested - but can anyone tell me if this is a bad idea?

[@lucasargandona4658]

Does the ziploc have to be close or a bit open?

[@yamaha4759]

thank you so much for this. God bless you!!!

[@RandySchartiger]

You're most welcome my friend thanks for watching! :)

[@philidorblackmmar7910]

Hi Randy, 012,0'13 gauge's it's dangerous tension in the future's bridge of your acoustic guitar? is better 0,11 always or less gauge strings tension? Thanks

[@RandySchartiger]

you are right lesser is better for the bridge and top but some people prefer the heavier strings to move/vibrate the top more for more bass low end tones. thanks for checking out my videos!

[@ipsurvivor]

Do you have to punch tiny holes in the plastic bag with the kitchen sponge in it? Or will the moisture go through the sealed bag without holes?

[@ipsurvivor]

Okay, I watched it again and you sliced the bag... cool 😎 idea...

[@Dev9172]

I dont keep mine in the case . Yes I know I should . I have 2 sound hole humidifiers ( one was for another guitar I sold ) I leave it up right on a stand . Do you think I should use both of them ? Well I dont have the heat on yet . Thanks

[@RandySchartiger]

+Dev9172 I keep one guitar out of the case all the time too, just try to keep the room humidity around 45-55% and you won't need to humidify them.

[@Dev9172]

thanks . Im going to try to watch all your video on Bluegrass licks . I can play but i need to learn these .

[@RandySchartiger]

Dev9172 Very cool! I'll be starting a new Quick Clip series in January, my hands are much better so there will be some good stuff coming.

[@RandySchartiger]

How to humidify acoustic guitar when to humidufy

[@yinyangja]

Thanks :)

[@RandySchartiger]

John A You're welcome my friend thank YOU! :)

[@chrisbramblett5611]

The soundhole looks so big on that martin Randy

[@RandySchartiger]

yep I enlarged it to the same size Tony Rices old martin is. thanks for checking out my videos!

[@trevorgwelch7412]

How about an Ovation it doesn’t have a big sound hole 🕳?

[@LukeA1223]

Pull out the removable sound adjustment/ tuning console like when you change the battery, there will be two screws. Loosen them till the catches move and remove the console base. You'll have full access to the inside of the instrument. I just had to do this day before yesterday in order to re-glue a brace that had loosened itself. Operation was a total success even though I couldn't find one video on how to pull it off on an Ovation. Be sure to plug the leads back in before you close it up.

[@brentscott5359]

Decay happens very very very slowly. Then SUDDENLY!! Resurrected my olde Yamaha FG using a small bowl and wet paper towel with a margarine container to plug the sound hole. Now to learn to play.

[@RandySchartiger]

you are right it can happen so fast you don't notice it until it's too late. thanks for checking out my videos!

[@SmileyMoTutorials]

So after humidifying my guitar for a few hours, it got back to its good tone. But then after about five minutes of playing, it went back to the lesser quality tone that led me to humidify it in the first. Do you know what would explain that?

[@RandySchartiger]

+Smiley Mo Tutorials When you humidify it you should let it humidify for several days, usually 2 to 3 days between playing times or while you're sleeping, if it's dried out bad will take a week to get the humidification level up. If you have a hygrometer, put it inside the guitar and leave it over night, try to get the guitar to maintain 45% to 55% and should be good to go.

[@donfromflowerybranchga.1651]

Is humidity control important for a laminated wood guitar and why.

[@RandySchartiger]

not AS important as it is for a solid wood guitar, even less important for HPL (high pressure laminate) guitars because the wood has been so highly compressed what fibers are left are too tight to take on moisture, it's still wood tho and will eventually need some percent of humidity.

[@yvoncormier9762]

Damn near flat picking. Love your sound. Can tell you had lots of time with banjo.

[@chickenh0use]

What if my humidification is to high? Mine is from 62 to 75% humidity.

[@RandySchartiger]

heat a large towel in your dryer and stuff it inside your guitar, the heat and dryness will suck the humidity out of your guitar over time, you may have to re-heat it several times.

[@John375PD]

I like it, Nice jammin

[@RandySchartiger]

thanks my friend! and thanks for watching!

[@alepwalling]

Hi bro Do you think i need to humidify my guitar ? Im from INDIA and during Day its 31°hi and 21°lo at night . Usually hot during day and not too cold at night. Just Normal. Does my guitar needs humidifier according to you ?

[@johnnyl1957]

Hey Randy. Can you 'over humidify'? I've heard of people who live in very tropical, humid climate zones that have trouble with their acoustic guitars. Cheers Man. ☮️

[@thomboy54]

great video's

[@RandySchartiger]

+thomboy54 Thanks Thomboy for checking out my videos and commenting! Cheers! :)

[@lhanescentwire6065]

What if you put a water accidentally on the guitar? Does it damage the guitar?

[@jeremiahwilson1781]

nice picking. some appalachin get down old timey sounds

[@haydnfitzpatrick5996]

Tell you what Randy, you're the friend I never had. Pleased to me yeh... and thanks !

[@RandySchartiger]

+Haydn Fitzpatrick Pleased to meet you as well my friend! And thank you for tuning in!

[@dhix2388]

why do you have the capo hanging ?

[@edsiljess2137]

Hi Randy. The relative humidity inside my case sits in a constant 60% and in 80 Fahrenheit. what can I do to help my instrument? Iv'e taken out the humidifier already..

[@RandySchartiger]

+Jess Edsil Wow! That's a little high to keep it all the time, try putting some very dry towels in the case with it, they will help absorb some of the moisture from the humidity instead of your guitar absorbing it so much. Thanks for tuning in! I hope that helps.

[@edsiljess2137]

+Randy Schartiger Thank you for this. I hope it works..

[@RandySchartiger]

Jess Edsil You're welcome, I hope it works too, it should lower the humidity in your case if you change the towels out every day or two with fresh dry ones.

[@edsiljess2137]

+Randy Schartiger How will I know if it works? Will the reading of the humidity change if I'll put some towels inside my case? or will it remain at a constant 60 relative humidity? The hygrometer still reads 60 relative humidity despite of 3 towels inside. Thank you Randy..

[@RandySchartiger]

Jess Edsil A hygrometer takes a couple hours or more to give a correct and accurate reading, so leave it for a day or so, with dry towels it should eventually start dropping the humidity. It's a slow process.