Luthier Tips du jour Mailbag 188 - How much humidity is enough

[@gregholmberg2]

Useful to know: when the air is at 45% relative humidity and room temperature, and a piece of wood sits in that air long enough, it will come to a point of equilibrium with the air, and the wood's moisture content will be 8%.

[@davidscotbrown3241]

If I keep my guitars in a case when not in use, in a room kept at 45% do I need an in case humidifier too?

[@steveb9325]

If you're keeping your guitar in your case after playing in a room kept at 45% humidity no you do not need any humifer control device in your case. "Especially " if you're not taking your guitar out of your house to perform or lessons etc. Now, if you are leaving your home often with you guitar by all means buy or make something to place in your guitar case along with a hydrometer to make sure you keep your guitar at around 45%. No worries if you just keep your guitar at home, along with keeping your room at 45% you're completely safe!👍 Of course watch your temperatures as well...70○ to 72 ○ if possible. You can purchase "Humidipak" made by D'Addario and place one under your headstock of your guitar in your case and choice of 2 in soundhole of your guitar.

[@davidscotbrown3241]

@@steveb9325 Many thanks; much appreciated My gigging days are over so the instruments rarely leave the house anymore, but after returning to a place with a dryer winter climate following many years living where humidity was more consistently in the 40-60% range - I thought I'd ask. I don't want to over-humidify either.

[@steveb9325]

@@davidscotbrown3241 you are si welcome! totally understand. Those Humidipak go both ways in your case. They prevent over humidification or under. Google them and you'll see what they do. Take care!

[@steveb9325]

@@davidscotbrown3241 you're more than welcome. Yes, understand. Btw: those Humidipak work both ways so you don't over or under humidity. Research the Humidipak. Take care 🙏

[@OBrienGuitars]

You are probably fine but if you notice the symptoms I mentioned in the video, add more humidity.