How To Take Care of Your Guitar | Humidification, Friction, Polishing, and more!

So you just bought your new guitar-- now it's time to take care of it! Proper instrument maintenance is key to the longevity of your guitar, and this goes for both acoustics and electrics! Whether it's tracking and adjusting the humidity, cleaning and polishing, or friction removal at the saddle and nut, all forms of maintenance will preserve your guitar and help it age properly and avoid damage of all kinds. Take a listen to Chris' wise words, and let us know if you have any other tips!
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[@Sydberg]

You forgot a step where you give it a goodnight kiss before bed.

[@sc12100]

DO NOT use Dampits on a regular basis. They will over humidify your guitar and can cause serious problems. They are supposed to be used on guitars that are dried out and are not used to "maintain" RH. The humidipaks is the exception and will "maintain" proper humidity and you can use these on a regular basis.

[@marksavage7381]

My home has all electric heat where humidity in the winter stays around 20% and it’s been a constant struggle to keep my guitars humidified. After listening to your video I bought the humidipaks you recommended and it’s made a huge difference. Guitars come out of the cases in tune and happy. Your videos are informative, entertaining and helpful. Thanks!

[@robertwashburn5]

Good job on humidity importance. Just recently i have learned of importance. 50 + years and Just catching on. 9 instruments currently ( only 3 of them are serious quality but still all of them give me sweet joyfull noise. Any how your info show is always good im nput. Mighty fine. Please keep up the goodwork. Thanking you most sincerely. Robert A

[@Ones_Complement]

How long have you had your instruments unhumidified? Have a fairly pricey acoustic myself and just found out about this as well. Concerned about what kind of damage it might have done.

[@robertwashburn5]

@@Ones_Complement one of them “12 string acoustic Washburn , american made” near 40 years. Saddle had pulled away from body top. Local store repaired. Finfing out is xtrmly important to keep

[@RonBaker456]

Use 2 sets of humidipaks, changed twice a year in my Martin dread and it is a solid solution for sure.

[@klew5988]

One of my favorite music channels. I love Alamo music

[@coopernorman5016]

Just as a piint of history, i purchased my first Damp It green rubber humidifier in 1965 ... been around muchlonger than thirty years ... thinks ... where did that thing go ... maybe time to purchase my second one. Great guidance series, guys.

[@le_th_]

Super informative, thank you for investing the time to help keep us noobs from making costly mistakes! Saving this to my "guitar noob" list. : ) Loving the more closely cropped beard trim here! So adorable on you and I'm guessing your wife loves it!

[@SeanAllocca]

FYI - Ideal humidity for your guitar is 40%-50%

[@lllazarrr]

Thanks! I was gonna ask that.

[@doncline3386]

yikes, i live in Phoenix

[@armygreenfj3924]

I guess I'm good! I live in California..The Humdity is always at 40 to 50% lol

[@ryanfulldark2775]

45-55% according to Stewmac

[@PTRK490]

This confuses me a lot. Some people say between 40%-50%, others say 45%-55%. DylanTalksTone even say between 45%-65. Sometimes it's hard what to believe.

[@klew5988]

I wanna learn to play your intro/outro song

[@TheSoulsandRevive]

Very informative video! Been using the 'Boveda 2-way Humidity packs' for a few years now and has always worked in keeping my acoustic properly humidified. Have not even need to buy new packs as I have just restored the moisture when the packs get dried out and reuse over and over. cheers

[@DougHinVA]

6 sponges in a pack at a Dollar Tree can be cut in 1/2. Use 1/2 of a dampened sponge in the guitar case. Cheap and effective and self-monitoring...

[@stanrogers7420]

Another great information session Chris. Keep em coming.

[@98837tim]

Upper Pacific Northwest 4-6” of rain annually! Temperatures in hundreds 119* highest last year! No natural trees! Winters very very dry sub zero to mid thirties! Very little of the state is wet.

[@charlesbranch4120]

Thank you, Chris. I've noticed that since I retired from the Gulf of Alaska coast where humidity ranged upward from 60% (usual annual precip above 80 inches) back to dry Montana and Idaho (annual precip 24 inches in a wet year) that my skin dries out , cracks and gets chapped. Wood behaves the same way. Move a custom cabinet from a dry clime to a wet one, the doors swell to to acclimate to the new home and will no longer close (or open). In the opposite direction, the wood parts will shrink as they dry. Keep guitars at that happy medium, and she'll foretell good fortune for you and the instruments. (I don't know many guitarists with only one, so plural's the rule. Starting out with four plus a baritone uke and assembled an ash five case rack this afternoon to try to limit the collection. Or empty the guest bedroom and turn it into the guitar playroom...) It's all good! P.S. I can hardly wait for you and Cooper to produce some factory tour videos.

[@texhaines9957]

In dry, dry Montana where outside relative humidities get in the single digits In winter and summer, we aim for 48% humidity in the acoustic guitar in the case. I use the an Oasis guitar humidifier and a case humidifier. I keep the room 45~50% at 68-72 F. The house is at 62F in winter. Chris also mentioned those Taylor polishes to help sanitize the guitar for COVID. THANKS Chris.

[@mariomanningfan]

I hear lots of people that say the HPLs are a way to prevent humidity issues. Take it from me that this is not the case. I paid what I consider good money for a Martin HPL believing it would not require much humidification in an arid climate. It's now with my luthier who's trying to repair a caved top and shrunken neck. He chuckled when I mentioned it was HPL and said "I see these more than anything else actually"

[@doctorstrainlove6318]

I’m just gonna order the 2 way things, I have an oasis & I keep getting mixed answers on whether to take it out during spring to avoid mold & over saturation. I live near Baltimore MD. The weather can be.. well just say different.

[@ghhufgtyhj204]

I got a dehumidifier for my bedroom and I putcmy guitars in there I just started playing a couple weeks ago and I think it's a great idea

[@briankowald6465]

What is the ideal humidity range?

[@GuitarLessons18andOver]

One way to dehumidify a guitar is to take it outside and play it; in the sun till it goes out of tune, then bring it back in the house. The excess moisture will evaperate;

[@Hendrixhimself]

Thank you for this info Brian Shaw.

[@trevorgwelch7412]

Ive been using SC Johnsons Pledge on my guitars for 30 years . It is far superior then typical guitar cleaner / polishes .

[@sustainablelife1st]

same! lots cheaper too.

[@814Taylor]

Great info on the guitar case as well. I usually use the Damp It and in the market for a new one but think I'll try out the Oasis brand. Thanks!

[@sinmaistro1338]

I split the top on my mexican martin when it dried out. It had the best tone ive heard coming out of it before it hurt itself. It was easy to fix myself and have rehumidified it since but it just doesn't ring like it did with its split top. I think it sang best when it was about to die... so I recommend drying it only if you are going to record to catch that awsome tone. Beware. Its high risk high reward.

[@rainypath96]

Happened to me the day after I brought it home. Took it back

[@LitchfieldParkFamily]

Such great info! Thank you👍🎸

[@T.C..]

Thank you again, this channel is such a wealth of knowledge

[@user-fd4tv4kf4i]

But what about furch vintage 2 it's like semi gloss and i don't know whether guitar polish or satin cleaner is good for this situation

[@leog5833]

I have very sweaty hands and most of the time when I play I get the fretboard pretty wet. I usually wipe it with a microfiber cloth afterwards. Is there any extra maintenance I should do? Like use a fret conditioner more often? If so, how often? This video is great, I learned a lot!

[@dougrobinson8602]

I learned about humidification the hard way. After a few weeks of keeping my Fender acoustic out in the open on a stand in summer, when my air conditioner runs nonstop, my bridge lifted. Took it in for a warranty repair, and they asked me where I keep my guitar. On a stand, I told them. "What's the humidity in your house?", they asked. Ummmmmm. I don't know. Bam. Warranty denied. They told me to keep the guitar in a case with a humidifier. So I got some bridge clamps and glued that thing back on. In my partial defense, they hadn't done a good job removing the finish under the bridge to allow a solid joint. Now I keep it in it's bag with a D'Addario humidifier. No issues. The frets don't eat my fingers anymore, either!

[@Ones_Complement]

A few weeks? Jesus. I've just found out about all this and have had my guitars lying around for years. Freaking out now about how much I might've fucked them up.

[@bmcpsd31]

@@Ones_Complement I wouldn’t worry too much. I haven’t done any of these things for my guitars & they’re all still good. Not that there’s no merit to what he’s saying but, he’s running a business.

[@dougcook6285]

What should the humidity be in a room with guitar hanging on the wall and in the case

[@allanmccullough8550]

I missed the part too.

[@bobhilker8921]

40 to 50 is ideal.

[@dougcook6285]

@@bobhilker8921 Thanks

[@clmccadams2191]

Thanks for the tips and the time .

[@MarkEaster]

Great content and advice here ❤️ What about electrical contact spray for scratchy knobs or selector? Did you do the video on guitar setups and a little more advanced stuff?

[@saintless]

Woot! I'm officially an "old timer!!!" I've been lucky with my instruments, only the violin from the '20s had a crack and that was before it was in my possession (although I'm the one that paid for a repair). But I attribute most of my fortune with running humidifiers for humans, radiant rather than forced air heat, and just a good run of luck. Obviously reconsidering my approach or I wouldn't be here though.

[@thelowmein9143]

What about a whole room solution if you have a collection? Is that just a terrible option compared to in-case? Like a room humidifier?

[@Tzadeck]

In Japan people also get MOLD in their guitar. You can find a lot of ruined Martins sold as junk items on online auctions, haha.

[@winterwillows2056]

Thanks for the info! I sure don't want my guitars unhappy! Seriously, if something's wrong with one of them, I'm unhappy... This'll help keep all of us happy and well... 😍

[@sp129]

Boveda makes Humidipaks for D'Addario, as well as other applications.

[@mjcunningham5141]

From a novice. What is the recommended humidity and temperature range for an acoustic?

[@sc2057l]

45%-55% relative humidity is what you're aiming for 😊

[@dylanthomas7443]

Do you recommend loosening your guitar strings when in the box?

[@clarkadams5914]

Very useful information.

[@midwaymonster30]

I use herco right now, but I might get those packs. They work well in my humidor.

[@95SLE]

Thank You

[@bammbamm1961]

I am new, just learning but really enjoy your channel for being practical. Challenge.. I live in one of those areas (Colorado Springs) you mentioned where my humidity inside is an average 17-25%. I have an Oasis5 and D'adarrio (sp) along with the Humidipack and still in my soft side case I am only reaching 25-30% humidity. I am wondering if there is some sort of gad that has a better seal? maybe something with a non-perm material to retain moisture?

[@joebloggs8636]

good info...thanks my man!

[@allisonholmesmusic97]

What do you recommend for controlling humidity for a solid body electric? I use the Humidipack system for my acoustics, but I’m starting to get sharp fret ends on my Strat and Tele. My humility level is 21% right at the moment

[@charlesbranch4120]

I've been using MusicNomad's Case Humitar and HumiReader. The cases can be attached in a space within the case (or gig bag). I don't complain about the 3M peel-and-stick adhesive pad attaching to plush. (It won't, but as it is said, "Ve haf ways...")

[@hunghoangmusic]

So, I heard that fingerboard only needs to condition once/twice a year, right? If so, If I just want to clean (just clean, not to condition) the fretboard after each string change (monthly for example), should I use oil to just clean it or a dry cloth is enough? Thanks!

[@scouser2230]

I live in Canada where in winter it gets very cold and with central heating running which dries out the air in the home. I recently bought a Fender Strat Professional ll and there isn’t any space in the guitar case to insert any type of dampit or other styles of case humidifier. What do you recommend for me to control the humidity in my guitar case?

[@blankearth5840]

Can the humidipaks work in a Taylor GS mini gig bag?

[@mazda3333]

Hi Chris, Is it safe to use the Taylor conditioner on a eucalyptus fingerboard? I recently bought an ad17e, and I just want to make sure... Thanks for all of your amazing insight and information!

[@thongamchan775]

Hi Chris, what's the optimum temperature and desired humidity to be maintained in the room where I play and keep my all solid acoustic guitars in my room where room temperature is 24×7 controlled at 24 degree Celsius and still I never measured yet the humidity in the room but outside temperature is always around 28 to 30 degree celsius and humidity around 70 to 80% here in Maldives. Also after every play , I used to keep them in the respective hard cases.Anyway, I considered myself just using my electric kettle for making tea or coffee and boiling drinking water in the room would suffice its relative needs to maintain humidity in my room. I always forgot to buy hygrometer .

[@michomicho7668]

o man tell me what to do // i live in 85/90 perc humidity 75 at winter /short few weeks// so pls tell me product for 85 plus humidity // and i must tell you ,,a guitar case if not left on top of black car roof 110 degree for a 8 hours//so if you open a case in room where you play 3 hours and than put axe back in case no f way next day a bass will feel diferent ,,or there is problem in head// not bass

[@JIMJAMSC]

I have had a HORRIBLE year with my acoustics and after buying 3 nice humidifiers, babying them just for that reason makes me even more upset. A Taylor Spring Limited Macassar and a National resonator both have issues. Around where the neck goes into the body both are delaminating around the neck. The Taylor also has the same issue on the bottom around the plastic battery cover. All look like a air bubble under clear ice. Just play em hard and don't spend so much time worrying about the next person to get it or its resale value.

[@ryancurtis6348]

do you use conditioner on richlite material?

[@mib7483]

Great video, unfortunately I could not find the hygrometer on your stores web page. Regret that you did the work and I shopped elsewhere.

[@damonlove8]

What if you dont put your guitar in a case? And you live in a very dry desert place, say like Las Vegas?

[@kiaradrake541]

Seagull has a cleaner/polish as well.

[@mikel9741]

This should have been a Taylor commercial. I don't do Taylor anything. So anyway, I didn't hear you talking about high humidity environments for acoustic instruments. Maybe should chime in on that and stop pitching your brand.

[@DD-eight]

Anybody else have issues with Alamo music’s webpage?? I’m shopping for a new guitar and I like Chris enough to where I’d like to show some love and buy a guitar from him!! Maybe it’s me but I’m 0-5 in getting there webpage open.. Any ideas?

[@christophermckee659]

I just checked it. Everything seems to be opening. It might be a routing issue from your ISP. Very odd. If all else fails. Give us a call.

[@baborikinm]

What will happen if I apply lemon oil inside acoustic guitar body?

[@newnooks]

Nice to know that over time guitars will stop being so needy 😁

[@adventureunderground2234]

What is the ideal humidity level for a guitar?

[@TheOutsider69]

45-55% RH generally speaking. I keep my room at ~50 RH.

[@johneufrazio8349]

I enjoy your info on all things guitar ! U R NO B.S. The other guy is good too!

[@missmahagony4217]

5:00 ish mark, homeostasis

[@ericoswood1856]

Music Nomad Guitar Detailer works on satin finishes.

[@yiannitamoosh8288]

What do you recommend if your guitars are always hanging n the wall and never in the case.... I just got a Taylor E14ce, and it's too pretty to keep in the case, plus it plays so nice!!! How can I maintain the guitar's humidity if I don't have a room humidifier/dehumidifier and it's never in the case? Most of the products I've seen are designed for inside the guitar case.

[@dougrobinson8602]

You'll need a room humidifier. Even with moisture inside the guitar body, your neck and fretboard will dry out, which can lead to shrinkage. Your frets will stick out.

[@AlamoMusic]

As Doug said, you need a room humidifier and a digital hygrometer to monitor the humidity. Also, depending on your weather you might need a dehumidifier, we often do in South Texas.

[@nizodizo9549]

I don't think my 2020 MIM Stratocaster needs any of this stuff.

[@jamesmyers5666]

You began to say that there are products to pull the humidity from extreme climates (Hawaii) but then didn't say what those were! The Humidipaks can't keep up! any suggestions?

[@jimdoner3443]

Dessicants and dehumidifiers designed for water damage restoration use in a guitar room or controlable area. Maybe a good talk with local guitar shops. Good luck I'm in Michigan and fight the dry winter air.

[@christophermckee659]

Check out the Eva-dry. It is filled with desiccant and had a fold-in plug so you can plug it into the wall to dry it out when needed. Best bet for extreme humid environments.

[@jamesmyers5666]

@@christophermckee659 Thanks!

[@charlesbranch4120]

Check on the reusable dessicant packs for gun safes, which can be dried out at low heat in the oven. The cheap route is saving and reusing the silica gel packs included with a lot of items in the packaging. (Kailua 1965-1968, member Kaneohe Bay MCAS NRA Jr. Rifle Club)

[@t3601f]

Equilibrium

[@francoishornet]

And if you buy guitar from other country don’t open the case right away let the inside case equal the humidity of the new environment.

[@Back2TheBike]

My humidifier is outside the window, a canal system. 200 years old and still going strong.

[@semperbauhaus]

oh man, I wish i could polish my guitar as well as you polish your head. Heh just kidding, I have the same hairdresser as you. Good advice here, excellent upload.

[@davidmccauley906]

You never did say what humidity should be

[@trevorgwelch7412]

A cheap way of getting humidity in your guitar case is take a large potato cut it in half , put it in a sock . The put it into your guitar case . Easy Peasy Cheap .

[@Ones_Complement]

I've had a $2000 Martin sitting in my case for a year and knew nothing about this. Am I fucked?

[@backyardblacksmith3090]

God has thrown me into the void. So long cruel world

[@jetshark970shark4]

Well I haven't done any of this with my guitar and it is 10 years old 🫣🫣🫣 I feel sad now

[@positivelynegative9149]

You spent 9 minutes talking about humidity, but never said what a good humidity level is. I guess this is just about selling the products.

[@steveb9325]

Hydrometer are notoriously inaccurate but I still use them to get within 10%

[@karenc84121]

Why don’t you take it out of the box and show us