Shop Talk: What is the Best Humidifier for Your Guitar?

[@steveoh316]

FYI, since the Humidipaks are 2-way you can "replenish" them after they are dry by putting them in a sealed container with a wet sponge. I have 2 sets and rotate them when needed. No additional purchases. 😊

[@PaisleyPatchouli]

I live in the dread AridZona... I've had ongoing dryness issues that caused problems with several of my guitars over the years. I've used the Dampit, and the Oasis, the Kyser Lifeguard, and several others. I had a leakage issue with the Oasis, which was sad because I did like the convenience of their system. Oh well.. Around ten years ago when I had over 30 guitars in my stable, I made up a whole slew of sponge based case humidifiers using large (like 6" tall) pharmacy pill bottles into which I drilled a bunch of holes with my Dremel. They were super cheap to make, and were actually quite effective, until the sponges became 'choked' with mineral deposits from using our super-hard tap water; after around 9 months of regular usage. It is fairly cheap to replace those sponges, (and the old ones can still be used for housecleaning etc)... I also tried making a batch using freezer grade sandwich ziplocks, where I used a hole-punch to fill them full of holes, and likewise used regular 3x5" household sponges. They were as effective as the pill bottle ones. The Humidipak system is manufactured for D'addario by a company called Boveda; they are now selling direct on Amazon, etc. Their 3-pack starter kit which you show currently (7/94) sells for around 26 bucks, and I think it is rather overpriced, mainly due to their cost of the cloth 'sleeves' or pouches. Those pouches should really only cost a couple bucks a piece because there's not much to them. The 'good news' is that they also sell just the actual gel pouches in bulk packs; I got a 12 pack of the 49%, size 40 for 54 bucks, which comes out to around 4.50 each. They suggest using 3 of them for a typical size guitar case. They want 13 bucks for a single cloth pouch (that holds 2 gel packs) which is outrageous IMHO; it looks like a $5-6 item, so I'm currently seeking a DIY solution to the pouches, and I have a couple pouches from other items that I'll try to repurpose as well. Now I have been keeping hygrometers in the cases, and it appears they are pretty stable at around 50% humidity, which is perfect. My biggest complaint with the Boveda system is that their sizing/pricing marketing approach is VERY confusing, and it is really hard to know exactly what you are. getting when you try to order them online. For example, with the two versions which I bought, both listed as 'size 40', it appears that although the sizes are the same, the actual amount of material per pouch is different bwtween the two, with the bulk pack pouches appearing to be 'less full' than the 3 pack ones. In their advertising, they should be right up front about not only the size, but also the net weight of each pouch which you buy, and that information should also be very clearly marked on each pouch, which it is NOT! So, it's virtually impossible to know for sure what you're ordering online, you have to go with guesswork based on the size of pouch, which is not indicative of what amount of product you're actually getting... Kinda intentionally misleading in my opinion. I should mention that I also keep a very good Kenmore evaporative humidifier going at all times, but here in the desert it is truly an ongoing battle to keep your babies at proper humidity. I have a lovely 1910 Washburn parlor guitar which, when I received it from its last owner in LA, had been so perfectly preserved there wasn't a single crack anywhere in the Braz RW. My luthier (who's been 'luthing' for 50+ years) said he'd never seen anything like it. However, after just 3 months here in the desert, I can see that it's trying to dry out, which motivated me to invest in the Boveda system. I had been keeping it on a stand, right next to the humidifier, with an ambient hygrometer reading of between 45-55%, but that didn't seem to be cutting it. Hopefully the Boveda, with 3 packets, plus an Oasis, and another of my homemade ones will do the trick; only time (and my hygrometers) will tell. My next step will me to either buy or build a proper humidified display case, either of wood, or maybe a tent type, Ut has truly been a struggle though, and I feel for anyone with high quality guitars trying to survive in the 'AridZona" It has truly been an ongoing struggle. I may even have to try out a carbon fiber acoustic if nothing else works! ;)

[@richardmorgan2679]

I bought a carbon fiber guitar for my “reach for it” instrument and keep the Taylor’s in their cases with sound hole humidifiers but I will switch after your video to humidipaks

[@GUITARTIME2024]

Adding a humidifier onto your HVAC system is the solution (Aprilaire). Not only for guitars but humans. My house stays between 40 to 60 percent humidity always. (Humidity level is on thermostat.)

[@treetopher9342]

Skip all this junk and just get a room humidifier

[@dalesearcy5734]

I have had good experiences with the Music Nomad Humidifiers.

[@jamesgretsch4894]

What if my guitar doesn't have a round sound hole but f-holes? How can I use the Humidipak?

[@rogershinton7483]

Dampit turned into Damn it while throwing in the trash! Planet Waves lasts about 48 hours(junk)! I have 8 Music Nomads and a separate gauge 24/7. I learned the hard way of all acoustic guitars needing humidifiers after a bridge reglue on a dried out guitar.

[@MusicVillageUSA]

That is a tough way to learn, but glad you've got a great setup with the Music Nomad humidifiers!

[@kenramirezchs]

⁠@@MusicVillageUSA Do electric guitars need a product like that?

[@MusicVillageUSA]

Humidifiers can help prevent the fretboard shrinking and causing sharp fret edges, but it is not necessary on an electric guitar.

[@barrymead8414]

Unfortunately what isn't so apparent about the Humidipak is that if your guitar case is too high or low the standard packs don't work, you need a different pack if the humidity is above a certain limited range to get it within the range that the two way pack works They are decent enough if the humidity levels never go above or below certain levels but you need the special packs if not and this can add cost and you need to keep checking your hygrometer regularly to ensure that what you think is working is actually doing so To be fair they do say it's a system but because they make great play on the two way part it isn't obvious that you need the extra packs if you are likely to have very high or low conditions in certain times of year. The case obviously helps maintaining humidity levels but it does also mean you have to make sure you close the case while playing your guitar

[@JoeC1977]

Great video - thanks! I'm going to a winter folk camp, in heated cabins, which I'm confident will demand a humidifier in my instruments. I know what to avoid.

[@emmettnoble1865]

Thanks, for the information. This was very helpful.

[@715Tyler]

Thanks for sharing 👍🏼 Great info

[@GySgt_USMC_Ret.]

Good video! Thanks.

[@alyssagilbert4465]

Very helpful info!

[@Yolboc]

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