-
May have ruined my guitar….ugh!!
I bought a new Martin Oct. 2020. I joined the TAC family this last September. I should mention I live in Colorado, as I started my routine playing at least 4 to 5 days a week, I started leaving my guitar out on a stand in the front room (that helps keeping it in front of me with easy access to play more) Well about a week ago I was playing what some call the BB box on the high E and B string at frets 8 & 10 and it was not resonating at all. I took my guitar to the store to see what might be wrong, found out my neck had warped due to being too dry, the tech said he couldn’t fix that, he did suggest loosening the strings a bit and put it in the case and try to hydrate it for at least 2 weeks then bring it back in. So I bought an oasis hydration system and now I wait….ugh. I had no idea that would happen. Maybe looking for another guitar. 😢 Has this happened to anyone else ? Or am I an idiot??. You know you go to other peoples houses and see their guitars setting out no problems. What did I do wrong ?😑.
I have these two weeks off from work for the holidays thinking I would get some great time in…dang.
-
12 Replies
-
Try not to beat yourself up too much @TIm_C . Wood is a living organism, and it should rehydrate. In addition to the in case hydration, make sure you have a good room humidifier and think about getting a hydrometer. Try to keep the room at at least 50% or higher in humidity. Colorado is pretty dry, so this is even more important.
-
I keep mine out but use a room humidifier as well as dehumidifier in the summer. As long as you can control the room its not a problem.
If the wood hasnt cracked you may be able to rehydrate it. Wood only cracks from drying not the opposite. The trick is to make the changes slowly. I would toss the sponge humidifier and get the D’darrio packs that regulate both ways and keep it in the case for awhile.
-
Completely agree, purchased a humidifier for our music room for the winter months when the heater dries out the air. It keeps the area at a constant 50% humidity, although I am amazed at the amount of water it consumes weekly. This makes me feel much better about leaving my guitars out all year. More importantly I do not stress out about my wife’s grand piano!
-
-
Hey @TIm_C ,
An acoustic guitar can handle a pretty wide range of humidity, like 35% – 65%. Unfortunately, you live in one of those areas of the country where the humidity frequently goes well out of those ranges. Of course, no one can tell you if your current guitar will come back. That’s just an unfortunate thing and I’m sorry you had to experience it. But in the future, solid wood guitars can’t sit out there in Colorado.
Guitars that are made from HPL, or High Pressure Laminate (a high tech name for plywood) can take much more in the way of humidity and temperature changes. But they can also become ruined. Of course, guitars that are not solid wood cost a lot less. And here’s the funny thing, you can never tell from guitar to guitar. Each piece of wood is different. You might see someone you know leave their Martin sitting out and the guitar is fine. But it’s risky, cause when it happens, many times it’s too late.
You might go check out this topic for suggestions on getting a guitar for under $500. That way you can have a playing guitar that you leave out and you are less worried about it. And you can have something to play right now.
https://tonypolecastro.com/family-forums/topic/good-sounding-guitar-for-300-500/
Again, I’m sorry this happened to you. I hope I have helped some.
MG 😀
-
I recommend one of these for every room you have a guitar in, and you will know what the temp and humidity is at the moment, and the max and min over time.
https://buythermopro.com/product/thermopro-tp-55-temperature-and-humidity-monitor/
-
Thanks Staustin,
I did pick up two of these.
TC
-
-
Yes, I did have this happen to a guitar I had years ago. The guitar store was able to fix it somewhat, but it was still bowed enough that it was hard on the fingers. Yes, I agree with That_Guy about the D-darrio packs (I have read a lot of good reviews on them). Also the digital Humidity monitor, I just bought one myself and found my poor guitars are living in 29% humidity (we are living in a Michigan winter right now). Today I’m ordering the D-darrio packs and I’m thinking of a room humidifier. I would still try to heal the Martin by hydrating it in it’s case. Google, do some research and good luck.
-
Thanks all for your help. I was stressing out about it the other day. I checked it out yesterday after putting an Oasis case system in the other day, seems to be working. I did not play it just visually, going to let it set for a bit (it was recommend 2 weeks)
I am going to pick up a monitor for the room and a humidifier if I keep it out of the case, lesson learned. Also will be adding the D’Addario packs.
I am going to to buy another guitar for a backup so I can keep playing or use this as an accuse to add to my guitarsenal. That’s making feel better about it.
Again thanks everyone
Happy New Year, guitar geeks unite.
TC
-
👍😊
-
-
-
Thanks all for your help. I was stressing out about it the other day. I checked it out yesterday after putting an Oasis case system in the other day, seems to be working. I did not play it just visually, going to let it set for a bit (it was recommend 2 weeks)
I am going to pick up a monitor for the room and a humidifier if I keep it out of the case, lesson learned. Also will be adding the D’Addario packs.
I am going to to buy another guitar for a backup so I can keep playing or use this as an accuse to add to my guitarsenal. That’s making feel better about it.
Again thanks everyone
Happy New Year, guitar geeks unite.
TC
-
I am so happy for you @TIm_C . Things seemed pretty bleak for a minute, but there were solutions after all. The important thing is your guitar journey can continue merrily along. 😊
MG 😀
-
-
Very happy to hear this news!!! Just to let you know, I picked up a inexpensive 1/2 size Cordoba Classical guitar ($160, but got it on sale for $65). It’s hanging on the wall in my guitar area. I don’t have to worry about it like I would my beast of a Martin (who is safely in it’s case). You don’t have to spend a lot of money on a guitar just to putz around with. Besides the nylon or thin strings are easy on your fingers. Good Luck, and again happy to hear you guitar is coming back.
Log in to reply.