How do you keep a wooden acoustic guitar from drying out?
Acoustic guitars, especially those made of wood, require proper care and maintenance to ensure their longevity and quality of sound. One of the most common problems faced by guitar owners is the drying out of the wooden body, which can lead to cracks, warping, and a decrease in tone quality. In this blog post, we’ll discuss some tips and tricks to help you keep your wooden acoustic guitar from drying out and maintain its sound quality.
Understanding the Problem
Before we dive into solutions, it’s important to understand the problem we’re dealing with. Wooden guitars are made of organic materials, which can be affected by changes in temperature and humidity levels. Low humidity can lead to dryness and shrinkage, and high humidity can lead to swelling and warping.
In most cases, the drying out of an acoustic guitar’s wooden body is caused by low humidity, which can occur during the winter or in very dry climates. This can cause the wood to crack, and can even cause the glue joints to loosen, compromising the guitar’s structural integrity.
A guitar that has dried out too much can also lose its tone quality, as the wood’s natural resonance is affected by the dryness. In short, it’s important to maintain proper humidity levels to ensure the longevity and quality of your wooden acoustic guitar.
Now that we know what we’re dealing with, let’s look at some ways to keep our guitars from drying out.
Keeping Your Guitar Humidified
The easiest way to prevent your guitar from drying out is by maintaining proper humidity levels. Ideally, you should aim for a relative humidity (RH) of around 45 to 55 percent. Any lower than this, and you risk drying out the wood; any higher, and you risk swelling and warping.
Here are some ways to maintain proper humidity levels for your guitar:
1. Get a Hygrometer
The first step in maintaining proper humidity levels is to get a hygrometer. This is a small device that measures the humidity levels in the air. You can get one at most hardware stores, and they’re relatively inexpensive.
Once you have a hygrometer, you can use it to monitor the humidity levels in the room where you keep your guitar. Ideally, you want to keep the RH between 45 and 55 percent.
2. Use a Humidifier
If your guitar is in a room with low humidity levels, you can use a humidifier to add moisture to the air. There are many types of humidifiers available, from small ones that you can place on your guitar case, to larger ones that humidify an entire room.
When using a humidifier, it’s important to use distilled water, as tap water can contain minerals and other impurities that can damage your guitar.
3. Use a Dampit
A dampit is a small, sponge-filled tube that you insert into the soundhole of your guitar. It works by slowly releasing moisture into the air, keeping the wood from drying out. Dampits are relatively inexpensive and can be purchased at most music stores.
When using a dampit, it’s important to keep it damp but not wet. You can do this by soaking it in distilled water for a few seconds, then squeezing out the excess water before inserting it into your guitar.
4. Use a Case with Humidity Control
If you’re in a very dry climate, or if you’re traveling with your guitar, you may want to invest in a case with humidity control. These cases have built-in humidifiers that maintain proper humidity levels, even in dry environments.
While these cases can be expensive, they’re worth the investment if you want to ensure the longevity and quality of your guitar.
5. Keep Your Guitar Away from Heat and Sunlight
Heat and sunlight can cause your guitar to dry out more quickly, so it’s important to keep it away from sources of heat and to avoid leaving it in direct sunlight.
This means keeping it away from radiators, fireplaces, and windows that get a lot of direct sunlight. It’s also a good idea to avoid leaving your guitar in your car on a hot day, as the heat can cause the wood to dry out and crack.
Other Tips for Maintaining Your Guitar
1. Clean Your Guitar Regularly
Dust and dirt can build up on your guitar over time, which can affect the sound quality and the appearance of the wood. To prevent this, it’s important to clean your guitar regularly.
You can do this by wiping it down with a soft cloth after each use, and by using a guitar polish to remove any built-up dirt and grime. Be sure to use a polish that’s specifically designed for use on guitars, as some household cleaners can damage the wood.
2. Store Your Guitar Properly
When you’re not using your guitar, it’s important to store it properly to prevent damage. This means keeping it in a case or on a guitar stand, and avoiding leaning it against walls or furniture.
If you’re storing your guitar in a case, be sure to keep it in a cool, dry place, and to store it away from sources of heat and sunlight.
3. Keep Your Guitar in Tune
Keeping your guitar in tune can actually help prevent it from drying out. When a guitar is properly tuned, the tension on the strings helps keep the guitar’s neck straight, which can prevent warping and other structural problems.
In Conclusion
Maintaining proper humidity levels is key to keeping your wooden acoustic guitar from drying out. By using a hygrometer, a humidifier, a dampit, or a case with humidity control, you can ensure that your guitar stays properly humidified, even in dry environments.
It’s also important to clean your guitar regularly, store it properly, and keep it in tune to prevent warping and other damage. With a little care and attention, your wooden acoustic guitar can provide you with beautiful music for years to come.
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