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New Guitar
Good morning, I just recently purchased a new Martin guitar, it got shipped out of Missouri on Monday and arrived in South Florida Wednesday night I will be picking it up this afternoon (Thursday), do I need to worry about climate acclimation or am I good to go with tuning and rock n roll………..thanks
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17 Replies
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The ideal range (from what I have read) is 45 – 55%, but 40 – 60% is ok too. I’m going to assume you have a hard shell case. They are excellent protection against humidity and temperatures. So on those days that a storm comes through and you don’t have power for a few days, pop your guitar back in it’s case. I would recommend a humidity meter for the room you keep your guitar in. They are pretty cheap, right around $15. You’ll probably be fine because your air conditioner will take care of a lot of the humidity for you. But, with a gage, you’ll know for sure. I’m a Michigan girl and I fight with the humidity dropping into the 10% in the winter time. I run a humidifier to help. You have the opposite problem. Good luck and enjoy that guitar.
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I think you are ok at there is not a significant difference in weather this week. Who did you purchase from and what model? I have 3 Martins and love them all, a real inspiration to play as often as I can. Send pics!
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Hey John, I purchased it from Guitar Center, I bought a 17 Series 000-17 and I also have a Martin D-10E, I’ve been through a couple of the smaller bodied Martins, not sure if your familiar but picking the open high E string has a weird twang if I pick in the center of the sound hole, if I pick and inch back or forward it goes away. It’s seems to be with all of them, and I’ve been through 2 or 3 of them. Have you ever experienced that or heard of it. I’m going to try and go with better bridge pins and also check the saddle for being square. Thanks
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I have 3 Martins but all full bodied Dreadnaughts. Interesting to hear, I have been thinking about an 000-15M next.
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Congratulations on your NGD @Joemama ! As for acclimation, yes let the guitar sit for at least a day before unboxing it and playing it. This allows it to acclimate to the current conditions. After that, just enjoy it, while keeping climate conditions around 50-60% humidity. Please post photos after unpacking it.
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Thanks everyone 🙂
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When I was at Marty Lanham’s shop in Nashville we talked about humidity and his number was 48% relative humidity. I go with that. Guitars will tolerate more or less for periods of time but if humidity is below or above the ideal, the further away from the ideal you go the shorter period of time you have before it begins effecting your guitar. You could have your guitar in the 20s for a day or two or the 70s but if it stays there you will risk cracks or buckling (popping braces and seams) The longer it is in the extremes the higher the risk of developing problems. I know a guy in Burlingame CA with a shop full of high end vintage guitars and he does not control humidity. There are a few days where humidity will run in the mid 30 but it gets followed by a few days where it will be in the 60s with most days around the high 40s. The averages equal out as long as the period of exposure is not prolonged as in Weeks to Months.
I would open that guitar up and play it as soon as I got it and not even worry. If you want you could crack the case for a few hours but as long as it was not subjected to extremes you will be okay. I would want to inspect it right away any how to make sure it was as promised. That includes playing.
I love vintage and most of the vintage stuff (exluding strictly collector,not player guitars and don’t even get me started on that weird genre) have cracks. It is not a big deal. Cracks are easily fixed if dealt with in a timely manner by skilled hands. Same with brace and seam issues. Many fixes cannot even be seen. Not the end of the world for either but rather part of how guitars are.
Play play play that new guitar and Happiest NGD to you!!!
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Martin.
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NGD?
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New Guitar Day!!!
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Thanks Jeff
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Congrats on your new Martin. I picked up a 2011 Martin HD-35 last year and love it. Monitoring the humidity is very important to keeping your guitar intact and most recommend keeping between 40% and 50%. Martin recommends 50%.
Where we live (Jersey shore) it gets very dry in the winter and very humid in the summer, and so I am constantly keeping on top of the room (basement) humidity with a good room Humidifier in the winter and a Dehumidifier in the summer (No A/C in the basement). Through experimentation I have found that the Martin seems to be real happy with the humidity is sitting in the 48% – 52% range. The other 2 (non Martin) guitars I have don’t seem to be a fussy (: With the Martin you can hear and feel the difference.
Like the others said here, I would also recommend acclimation for a day or even 3 before you get it cranking. Enjoy.
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Thanks Chuck, too late, the guitar had a strange twang hitting the open high E string, returned it and picked up a 000-18, very pleased with it, but needs the action addressed.
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Congrats Joe. Play it in good health!
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I’m trying man, I’m obsessed, frustrated at times, my fingers can’t keep up with my brain but not giving up…………Thanks Ron, rock on!
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Hee he, I feel you there. It took me 5years to get over that hurdle but daily playing was the key.
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