Left Gibson acoustic out in the sun for 8 hours, now it buzzes badly - HELP!

Farringdon · #1 05-28-2023, 04:16 PM

A few of our guitars were left in the sun for about 8 hours before the night cooled down the temperature. The electrics survived but the Gibson acoustic, which played perfectly this morning, now buzzes badly from the 5th to 14th fret (where the neck reached the body). There is no buzzing above the 14th fret or before the 5th fret.

Any idea for how to save this acoustic guitar (solid spruce top)? The guitar was in very good condition before this happened, barely played in the 5 years.

Monty Christo · #2 05-28-2023, 04:21 PM

Before you make any physical adjustments to the truss rod or saddle, give it some time in normal temperatures and a properly humidified environment. Any fixes you perform now might need un-fixing after it gets acclimated to normal, so be patient. This might take a couple of days.

Slimt · #3 05-28-2023, 04:25 PM

Well. Loosin off the strings. Get a wet sponge , put in the sound hole in a baggie. Leave the guitar for some time in the case. The sun sucked all the moisture out of the guitar. Might not be a bad idea to put a plastic bag around the body to retain the moisture while in the case.

Bobby1note · #4 05-28-2023, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Farringdon

A few of our guitars were left in the sun for about 8 hours before the night cooled down the temperature. The electrics survived but the Gibson acoustic, which played perfectly this morning, now buzzes badly from the 5th to 14th fret (where the neck reached the body). There is no buzzing above the 14th fret or before the 5th fret.

Any idea for how to save this acoustic guitar (solid spruce top)? The guitar was in very good condition before this happened, barely played in the 5 years.

Loosen the strings, then let it sit for a day or two,,in the room where you normally store the guitar. If it still buzzes, you may simply need a fresh set-up.(hopefully) Once you loosen the strings, check to see if the top has bellied.

Good luck.

rllink · #5 05-28-2023, 04:42 PM

Just wait until tomorrow and see what happens. But I wouldn't start messing with it until you see if it will go back on its own.

Farringdon · #6 05-28-2023, 04:44 PM

Also the guitar was tuned to E before it was left in the sun this morning....this evening the guitar is tuned to D#.

Someone said steam the guitar while having a shower in the bathroom. Is that a good idea?

And for the wet sponge in a baggie, should there be lots of holes in the baggie? Thank you so much for the advice!

rllink · #7 05-28-2023, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Farringdon

Also the guitar was tuned to E before it was left in the sun this morning....this evening the guitar is tuned to D#.

Someone said steam the guitar while having a shower in the bathroom. Is that a good idea?

And for the wet sponge in a baggie, should there be lots of holes in the baggie? Thank you so much for the advice!

Seems to me that trying to saturate it with moisture in any way especially in the form of steam might be a good way to soften the glue that is holding it together. I think the slow approach would be the safest approach.

Slimt · #8 05-28-2023, 04:55 PM

Actually get it to a luthier. They have the equipment and should have the knowledge to put humidity back in with out creating more issues. From some moisture to none then putting back in is a balancing act. Braces are the big concern.

Bobby1note · #9 05-28-2023, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Farringdon

Also the guitar was tuned to E before it was left in the sun this morning....this evening the guitar is tuned to D#.

Someone said steam the guitar while having a shower in the bathroom. Is that a good idea?

And for the wet sponge in a baggie, should there be lots of holes in the baggie? Thank you so much for the advice!

Leave it alone, with the strings loosened. Let the wood acclimate naturally to the room you normally store it in. Keep it away from fans, air-conditioners, humidifiers, etc. Just leave it and be patient for a few days.

FWIW, wood shrinks and expands across the grain. Check the top and bottom edges of the spruce top, where the top meets the sides. Also, a dark ebony fingerboard will absorb heat more rapidly than the lighter coloured top woods.

PS. Which part of the guitar was facing the sun? Top? Bottom?

Farringdon · #10 05-28-2023, 05:40 PM

When you say loosen the strings, do you mean completely loosen or just detune it a few steps?

The fretboard is ebony.

The buzzing is only between 5th and 14th fret (just before neck joins body). It is possible that the temperature change from afternoon sun to evening winds made the difference. Also I might be imagining it but the lacquer finish on the solid top now looks "better" and slightly aged after a day in the sun.

Bobby1note · #11 05-28-2023, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Farringdon

When you say loosen the strings, do you mean completely loosen or just detune it a few steps?

The fretboard is ebony.

The buzzing is only between 5th and 14th fret (just before neck joins body). It is possible that the temperature change from afternoon sun to evening winds made the difference. Also I might be imagining it but the lacquer finish on the solid top now looks "better" and slightly aged after a day in the sun.

yes, remove the string tension,,, no need to remove them completely.

Check the side edges of the ebony fretboard. That dark wood fretboard would likely have absorbed heat more quickly than other light-coloured parts of the guitar. More heat/ more expansion.

Farringdon · #12 05-28-2023, 06:59 PM

Visually, I can see from the side of the neck that it goes up around 14th fret (where it meets the body) and then dips again from 15th to the last fret. There is a slight bump around 14th fret. The neck is bound so I can't see the sides.

I must also add that the truss rod was tightened slightly 2 days ago, and then the day before it played much better 1 day after the adjustment. Even though the drastic change is definitely caused by the sun/temperature change, is it possible that the guitar is also belatedly reacting to that trussrod change 2 days later? It was not a big change and the trussrod should not cause any raised humps at the 14th fret.

Howard Klepper · #13 05-30-2023, 08:45 AM

If the top was in direct sun, you likely have loose braces. Loosen the strings by 2 or 3 halftones. Don't put it in a plastic bag or take a shower with it. Get it to a good repair tech.

It helps to be more specific than "Gibson acoustic." Especially in this case to reveal its age.

redir · #14 05-30-2023, 12:05 PM

It depends on where you are in the world. Here in Virginia on a hot summer day right under the sun you won't dry the guitar out. In fact you might over humidify it. If you are in New Mexico then maybe so.

IMHO this guitar needs to be seen in person by someone who knows what they are doing. Take it to a good shop for evaluation.

Alan Carruth · #15 05-30-2023, 12:51 PM

Many glues can soften under the heat of full sun, even out in the open. All day in the back seat of a closed car can be a real disaster. DAMHIKT Check for loose braces.

"Also I might be imagining it but the lacquer finish on the solid top now looks "better" and slightly aged after a day in the sun."

It was slightly aged, if only through the dimensional change from the rise in temperature. Many finishes will break down under strong UV light, and nitro is especially subject to that.