31 point overnight drop in humidity!

Rosewood99 · #1 10-21-2018, 11:56 AM

Went from from 61% to 30%. Scrambled to get out the humidifier. The way it is here in the Southeast, it's likely to be back over 50% by tomorrow. Does one dry day cause damage?

CSG · #2 10-21-2018, 12:05 PM

Probably not. Is it cased? I live in the high desert so any acoustic I have is in a case year round with an Oasis case humidifier and hygrometer.

Rosewood99 · #3 10-21-2018, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CSG

Probably not. Is it cased? I live in the high desert so any acoustic I have is in a case year round with an Oasis case humidifier and hygrometer.

Never case in my life. Hardly ever need to in the Southeast as high humidity is usually the problem. I'm sure in a day or two it will be back to 50 or 60%

simpl man · #4 10-21-2018, 12:14 PM

Short term fluctuations in humidity are generally not a problem.

Shuksan · #5 10-21-2018, 12:21 PM

When I lived in southern Arizona there would be almost daily swings in humidity in that range during the monsoon season in August. When the thunderstorms would sweep through in late afternoon with torrential downpours, the humidity would shoot up 30 or 40% in a matter of minutes and then drop back down by the same amount over the next several hours. No bad effects on my guitars. I don't think the wood reacts fast enough for short term swings in humidity to be a serious problem.

muscmp · #6 10-21-2018, 01:03 PM

that's nothing. here in socal we went from 100%(a rare rainy day) to single digit(santa ana winds).

play music!

Osage · #7 10-21-2018, 01:10 PM

You're fine. If it was happening a few times a week, every single week, you would want to do something about it but a one time thing where it only got down to 30% is nothing to worry about.

Bruce Sexauer · #8 10-21-2018, 01:18 PM

Even a sustained 30% probably won’t break a conscientiously made guitar, though it may not play or sound the same due to stresses. 20% is a different story.

Sagebrush Tom · #9 10-21-2018, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CSG

Probably not. Is it cased? I live in the high desert so any acoustic I have is in a case year round with an Oasis case humidifier and hygrometer.

Here in the High Desert of the Eastern Sierra, a 30% drop in humidity is normal, If you're concerned put 'em their cases with a humidifier and bring them out only when you play them.
As CSG stated, we have to keep in their cases year round and i also use Oasis humidifiers, no problem with wood drying out, shrinkage and/or cracking.

pagedr · #10 10-21-2018, 01:34 PM

It's been like that in SoCal lately as well. Had some rain last week so the humidity went way up, then immediately dropped down to the low 30's for a couple days. No issues for my guitars, just keep yours in the case and they should be fine.

robj144 · #11 10-21-2018, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulzoom

Never case in my life. Hardly ever need to in the Southeast as high humidity is usually the problem. I'm sure in a day or two it will be back to 50 or 60%

I live in the southeast too and run my AC a lot. I case all my guitars with a humidifier even though some would argue I don't need it.

I have a cheap all wood uke though that I just keep in a gig bag and don't humidify it because it's not a top concern. Well, I took it out the other day and it was definitely dried out. Top is sunken in and the frets are sticking out on the side.

Now granted, a uke is smaller and reacts more quickly than a guitar, but I would still case and humidify your guitars to play safe.

Rosewood99 · #12 10-21-2018, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pagedr

It's been like that in SoCal lately as well. Had some rain last week so the humidity went way up, then immediately dropped down to the low 30's for a couple days. No issues for my guitars, just keep yours in the case and they should be fine.

I don't do cases. But my humidifier has got it back to 37%