If you own a guitar, you most likely try your best to keep it from getting damaged by handling it with care and cleaning it regularly. However, for unsuspecting guitar owners, you might end up with a damaged guitar as a result of something as simple as high humidity. Not everyone knows this, but there is an ideal humidity range for guitars. Keeping your guitars in an environment with humidity above this range can lead to serious damages over time.
The ideal humidity range for guitars is about 45 to 55 percent. Exposing your guitars to levels of humidity higher than this can have some serious adverse effect which may cause damage in the long run. For example, the wood of the guitar can begin to swell up; this may damage the neck angles of the guitar and cause distortions in addition to disfiguring your guitar permanently. A damp guitar will sound dull as a result of the added weight caused by the moisture in the wood. In the long run, you will end up with a bad sounding guitar simply because of a terrible error.
How To Dehumidify A Guitar
Measure the humidity level: prevention is always a better alternative to trying to fix your guitar after it must have been damaged. Instead of waiting till it is damaged by moisture, preventing moisture from getting into the guitar altogether is a better course of action. You should measure the humidity level regularly especially if you live in an area that stays highly humid all year round. This can be measured using a simple device known as a hygrometer.
Use a desiccant: one of the easiest ways to dehumidify a guitar is to put a desiccant inside the box. This is a substance which has a high affinity for water and readily absorbs moisture from the atmosphere. Typically, the most common desiccants that are used are silica gel and packs of bamboo charcoal. These substances are readily available and are effective for keeping your guitar dry even in high humidity areas.
Install a dehumidifier: another approach is to have a dehumidifier installed in your room. Since the goal is simply to protect your guitar, then you don’t need a full-home dehumidifying system. Instead, you can purchase a portable unit that serves just the room where you store your guitar. That way your guitar stays safe and protected from high moisture levels at all time.
As an additional precaution, always clean your guitar thoroughly and wipe it dry before storing it especially if you intend to do so for a long time. Be sure to check the room where your guitar is to be stored before putting it there. Ensure that there are no leaking pipes, open windows, or vents near where you keep it. You can also take the guitar out occasionally to check for signs of moisture and dry It with a hair dryer once in a while if you intend to store it for a long time.