Can the Boveda humidipack system be used if the guitar case is stored upright?

[three4rd]

Hi,

I've been looking at various ways of controlling humidity on my new guitar and like the idea of the Boveda system where the pouches hang over the strings into the sound hole. So my question is....being that I store my guitar cases upright and leaning against a wall, i.e. case being perpendicular to the floor, will it be ok for the guitar if the suspended humidipack pouches wind up coming in contact with wood at some point - either directly against the sound hole (unlikely I suppose) or somewhere inside the instrument? All the pics and demo videos I've looked at relative to this system show a case resting flat.

Also, while I know Boveda produces these for D'Addario packaged as the "Planet Waves" system, it doesn't look like quite the same setup. Reviewers of the D'Addario version refer to having to close a plastic clip to hold the pouches in, whereas the videos I've looked at for the system sold directly from Boveda don't appear to have any sort of clip; rather, it looks as simple as just inserting the humidipacks and draping it over the strings. Also, the packs themselves appear somewhat different. The actual Boveda packs specify the level of humidity control desired.

Hoping to hear from someone who uses either type for additional clarification.

[Jeremy]

I have been using the Planet Waves version for years. The current version do not use any plastic clips but rather just drape over the strings. The packaging specifies 45–50 RH. I only ever store my guitars upright and it has not been a problem for me for the last eight years.

[three4rd]

Jeremy...thanks for the reply. OK, so then the D'Addario packs do specify humidity level. Interesting that the Planet Waves system is considerably cheaper than the starter kit sold directly from Boveda. So you're indicating there is no clip? That's weird since I've been doing alot of research on these and, as mentioned, people say they don't like the clip and that the 'old system' was better (?) Confusing.

I see D'Addario also sells a monitoring thing that syncs with Bluetooth. Do you use this as well? Can't quite imagine being as obsessed with all this as wanting to know what's going on inside my guitar case while I'm away from home on a trip somewhere, but, hey...peace of mind I suppose. Then again, be a bummer to be thousands of miles away and find out that your guitar is desperately in need of new packs....

[beninma]

I've been keeping mine on it's side. Not laid down flat with the back of the guitar on the floor but with the side of the guitar on the floor.

It's been fine.

I have the D'Addario setup that looks exactly like the Boveda one from before they changed over.

I bought mine like 3-4 months ago, some of the D'Addario ones that look exactly like the Boveda ones seem to be still out there in the stores.

I have one of the Western Humidor hygrometer/thermometers in each of my cases. Bluetooth is taking it a little too far for me, this stuff doesn't change that fast and the bluetooth accomplishes nothing unless your phone is near the case or you set up a computer near your playing area.

And I still see weird readings on my hygrometers in the cases. My Acoustic (Taylor guitar in a Taylor hard case) seems to make a bit more sense. But when you close the case I think you can get pockets of trapped dry or moist air so when you open it the readings can be weird. But at least in the case of the acoustic the tuning just stays rock solid for me in the case for days and days with the Humidipak in there so it's clearly working.

[three4rd]

Beninma....thanks. Well, if you're keeping your guitar case in that position, I'd think the humidipacks may well be resting against some of the wood. Depends on how far down they are in the sound hole and whether or not they might come in contact with anything. I'm going to call Boveda directly and ask about this. I'm undoubtedly over-paranoid being that I have a new guitar.

[Turko]

I believe it is the older version of Planet Waves that has the plastic clip.I don't like the clip either.I bought a new Humidipak and it has no clips,just hangs over the strings.

[Looburst]

Simple answer,,,,YES.

[three4rd]

It does look like probably the best system out there. I'm not fond of the sponges that dry up after a few days, and anything that might possibly leak water into the guitar or case.

[Athens]

Originally Posted by three4rd

.....................I'm not fond of the sponges that dry up after a few days, and anything that might possibly leak water into the guitar or case.

I'm also not keen on the idea of putting anything wet into the soundhole of any guitar that I own.

I've been using the sponge in a soap dish method for decades and have never had a problem.

This winter I went to the water beads and that greatly reduced the frequency between refreshing them.

I know problems are rare, but it's a major issue if they do leak, and I'm just not willing to take the gamble.

[drplayer]

I know that many folks--maybe even most--use these with the guitar case standing up or on its side, but the following came directly from a D'Addario Customer Service Rep when I sent an e-mail asking about the shelf life of an unopened system:


"Hello,

Thank you for your e-mail.

As long as it has not been opened and they are stored in a neutral place then yes they should be good for that long..

Just remember to please keep the guitar flat (otherwise on its side or upright will cause the gel to pool into one corner and we do not want that) and if walking around with the guitar please take them out until you get where you are going(otherwise they are sitting in there bouncing around hitting the bracing etc…


George Santos

Title: Consumer/Customer Service Product Specialist
CR-Fretted, CR-Planet Waves, CR-Evans & Puresound, CR-Pro mark
D’Addario & Company, Inc."

[three4rd]

Drplayer....this makes alot of sense to me, which is why I posted this thread in the first place. So, I'm right back to not knowing whether I should buy these things or not. I don't have the room to store my guitars laying flat.

[Brucebubs]

I asked D'Addario this very same question several years ago when I wanted to store my case on it's side with their 2-way system fitted.

I got the very same reply 'Just remember to please keep the guitar flat (otherwise on its side or upright will cause the gel to pool into one corner and we do not want that)'

So I keep it flat.

[three4rd]

Earlier today I talked with Boveda about this and they said there is no problem with storing the guitar case upright. I specifically asked about whether or not these humidipacks feel moist on the outside and he said not - something about the material used that holds the pouches. I found another thread here about this, and several people replied that they store the guitars upright and have never had any problems. For one thing, he mentioned that the packs often rest right on the cigars in the containers, so if it won't harm a cigar guess it won't harm a piece of wood either (?) Guess I'll give it a try and keep an eye on things.

[Looburst]

Yes, I was one of those. Absolutely no issues with storing them in your case, no matter how it's stored, flat, upright or upside down.

[three4rd]

I got a hygrometer and discovered that the humidity in the area where I'm storing my guitars is hovering around 20%. The Boveda kit should arrive today. Definitely don't want to continue to submit my new guitar to 20% levels.