60% constant relative humidity

[earri]

My house is a constant 60% relative humidity in S. Florida. This seems to be borderline to me from what Iv'e read. Do I need to be concerned and/or endeavor to take corrective action in my home (dehumidifier, keep in case w/drypaks, ect.)?

[Opa John]

I think it depends on who you talk to. Some people would be concerned at 60%, but I wouldn't worry about it unless it goes higher and stays there for days on end.

Low humidity, lower than about 35% would be a bigger concern to me than high humidity.

If your guitars sound OK, don't worry about it.

[Bluemonk]

A constant 60% humidity is pretty healthy for guitars. I wouldn't worry about it at all.

[6L6]

Your guitar is basically a tree. Trees do fine in 60% humidity.

[earri]

Originally Posted by Opa John

I think it depends on who you talk to. Some people would be concerned at 60%, but I wouldn't worry about it unless it goes higher and stays there for days on end.

Low humidity, lower than about 35% would be a bigger concern to me than high humidity.

If your guitars sound OK, don't worry about it.

Ok, cool. The guitar seems to love it, it sounds great, but I have noticed the action is just a wee bit higher.

[charles Tauber]

Originally Posted by 6L6

Your guitar is basically a tree.

Your guitar is not a tree anymore than a car is un-mined iron oxide rock deposits.

A constant 60% RH will not harm the instrument.

[fazool]

Basic rule of thumb is that 45%-55% is ideal. I imagine 60% is just fine.

If you wanted to be safe you could get a dessicant packet and put it in the case to lower the humidty or get one that buffers out quick changes.

I'd not worry about it, if it was me.

[kydave]

Originally Posted by earri

My house is a constant 60% relative humidity in S. Florida. This seems to be borderline to me from what Iv'e read. Do I need to be concerned and/or endeavor to take corrective action in my home (dehumidifier, keep in case w/drypaks, ect.)?

You're fine. There are probably guitar owners in the Arizona desert who would trade problems in the reverse (too little humidity constantly) in a minute!

Anyone who is overly concerned about a constant 60% humidity as relates to acoustic guitars simply doesn't know what they're talking about. Don't let reading things by them concern you.

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by earri

Ok, cool. The guitar seems to love it, it sounds great, but I have noticed the action is just a wee bit higher.

Hi earri...

Action can be adjusted. If you do have seasons of lower humidity and it is affecting the action, just have a saddle built at both points and swap them out to keep your action uniform or at least very close to the same level.

Classical players do.

[joshsimpson79]

I would not worry about 60%. If it starts to creep higher than that for a long time, maybe. But not 60.

[DesertTwang]

Originally Posted by 6L6

Your guitar is basically a tree. Trees do fine in 60% humidity.

While this thought is appealing, it's also misleading, sorry.

Mesquite trees here in Arizona, along with many others, thrive in 10 percent humidity through much of the year.

See how your guitar likes that.

[ecguitar44]

Originally Posted by 6L6

Your guitar is basically a tree. Trees do fine in 60% humidity.

I agree with your conclusion...but your logic is deeply flawed.

[stephenT]

A tree.



A guitar.



Yup, basically the same!

[ecguitar44]

Originally Posted by talkgtr

A tree.



A guitar.



Yup, basically the same!

Actually, I think you have the labels mixed up on your pictures.

Wait...maybe not...

I'm not sure. They're so similar, sometimes I can't tell them apart...

[Bucc5207]

Originally Posted by 6L6

Your guitar is basically a tree. Trees do fine in 60% humidity.

There is good authority for this: "In the sense that my guitars were once plants, this record's a greenhouse." Leo Kottke, liner notes for Greenhouse.

Anyway, +1 for Desert Twang. My piñons, junipers, and ponderosa pines do fine in 20% humidity. Not so my guitar.