Will my Martin 00X1AE survive in South America?

[acoustic ed]

Hello everyone! I have a nice Martin 00X1AE that I purchased from a Guitar a center in Houston, TX. I love this guitar! I may be moving to Bolivia (South America) in less than a year. I’ve lived there before with an LXM and the gol held up. My question is, with my 00X1AE and it’s spruce top, will it be ok being in similar weather like Houston? I do go to much dryer places at time close to the Amazons or colder places where it’s close to snow. Do y’all think the guitar will hold up? Any advice is welcome!! Thanks!

[ChrisE]

Originally Posted by acoustic ed

Hello everyone! I have a nice Martin 00X1AE that I purchased from a Guitar a center in Houston, TX. I love this guitar! I may be moving to Bolivia (South America) in less than a year. I’ve lived there before with an LXM and the gol held up. My question is, with my 00X1AE and it’s spruce top, will it be ok being in similar weather like Houston? I do go to much dryer places at time close to the Amazons or colder places where it’s close to snow. Do y’all think the guitar will hold up? Any advice is welcome!! Thanks!

I'm sure it will be fine. People in South America and all over the world have been playing guitars for a long time without air conditioning, humidification and before the internet came along and told us our guitars would self destruct if we so much as thought about taking them outside of a perfectly controlled laboratory environment.

[acoustic ed]

Thats true! I’ve heard horror stories of the top cracking from the cold. But the weather is normally nice and dry.

[Neil K Walk]

Just don't leave it in the sun or in a space that can exceed 100 degrees. Heat doesn't crack wood but will soften the glue that holds the guitar together.

[Misifus]

I lived in Panama for three years. When I went, I checked out and left my D-18 at home. I was so glad I did. The humidity and heat in Panama would have done it in. However, Panama’s a lot different from Panama. You might be ok.

[Arthur Slowhand]

My only concern would be what people have said about the spruce top parting company with the HPL sides. However, I wouldn't rely on replies that might only be apocryphal... your best bet is to email Martin and ask if the wood is likely to expand and contract at a different rate to the HPL. Your next best bet is, as with any wooden instrument, to ensure the guitar stays free from prolonged direct sunlight and extremes of humidity. Buy a case.

PS. I just re-read your post - you've done all this before with an X series Martin, without any problems, so why worry this time?

[acoustic ed]

Originally Posted by Arthur Slowhand

My only concern would be what people have said about the spruce top parting company with the HPL sides. However, I wouldn't rely on replies that might only be apocryphal... your best bet is to email Martin and ask if the wood is likely to expand and contract at a different rate to the HPL. Your next best bet is, as with any wooden instrument, to ensure the guitar stays free from prolonged direct sunlight and extremes of humidity. Buy a case.

PS. I just re-read your post - you've done all this before with an X series Martin, without any problems, so why worry this time?

Thank you! The last guitar I took was a little Martin LXM. The whole body was hpl. My 00 has the spruce top with hpl body. I was just concerned about the separation as you mentioned. I’ll write Martin! Thank you! [emoji28]

[Neil K Walk]

Originally Posted by Arthur Slowhand

My only concern would be what people have said about the spruce top parting company with the HPL sides. However, I wouldn't rely on replies that might only be apocryphal... your best bet is to email Martin and ask if the wood is likely to expand and contract at a different rate to the HPL. Your next best bet is, as with any wooden instrument, to ensure the guitar stays free from prolonged direct sunlight and extremes of humidity. Buy a case.

PS. I just re-read your post - you've done all this before with an X series Martin, without any problems, so why worry this time?

Glue is glue. solid wood, HPL or plain old plywood it doesn't matter. Yellow glue will lose its grip if it becomes gelatinous. I wouldn't take anything bigger than a Backpacker if I were venturing into the bush.