Rehydrating a dry guitar

[Jonathan]

I just had a steel string acoustic guitar shipped to Georgia from New York, and when it arrived, it was very dry (sharp fret ends, fret buzz, hump on the fretboard, etc.).
I put a Planet Waves "Humidipak" in the case to remedy the situation, but it has been over a week, and it has made no noticeable improvement. Therefore, I am going to try an Oasis humidifier. I am wondering whether to use the yellow "Oasis Plus" or the original blue Oasis, and also whether two Oases would be better than one (is there a risk of overhumidification if I use two)?
I would appreciate hearing from anyone with some personal experience in this matter.

Thanks!
Jonathan

[jjt...@gmail.com]

Try this video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tB8tELj43RE

I think this guy might know something. ;-)

[TD]

On Sunday, January 19, 2014 8:01:55 PM UTC-5, Jonathan wrote:

First thing you need to do is purchase a hygrometer. I am told the humidity should be between 40 and 50 degrees, but that's not always easy to obtain. I have a high end German made humidifier (Venta) where I keep my instruments. I have two humidifiers going 24/7 and can barely maintain 30 degrees here in my NYC apartment. I am ordering a few Oasis products to keep in cases. I don't think you can over humidify so easily, but a hydrometer will keep you calm about it. Looks like you need to also visit a good repairman. Good luck.

[Tim McNamara]

I had a very dry guitar worked on a few years back during winter. The
luthiers (Hofman Guitars in Minneapolis) keeps the shop quite humid
throughout the winter. They kept my guitar there for about three weeks
before it was rehydrated enough to work on and have the repairs be
stable. It may take a while for you to get the guitar back in shape
using a case humidifier.

[Jonathan]

Thanks for the response, Tony.
I took it to a repairman, and he told me to use the Humidipak system, but I just came across a Taylor "tech sheet" that says they don't recommend using Humidipak to rehydrate a dry guitar, but rather the Oasis or Dampit humidifiers.
Oasis makes a few models, one that goes in the soundhole, and one that attaches to the inside of the case, and I'm wondering whether the soundhole one would be more efficient (or maybe to use both).

http://www.taylorguitars.com/sites/default/files/10_SymptomsofaDryGuitar.pdf

[DanielleOM]

I like the Oasis humidifiers. I would buy the case humidifier one as I
find that's the most convenient to use. It did not work well with one
Eastman plastic formed case, but I found that a CD works well as a
bracket to suspend the Oasis humidifier from the (flattop guitar)
strings into the sound hole. The hole in a CD is the right size for
the top of the oasis to feed through and the cap will hold the CD in
place just like an Oasis plastic sound hole style bracket. Also note
that the Oasis comes in two different permeability grades depending on
the weather conditions. (There's a blue and a tan colored model with
the tan for the drier weather.) I have some of each and like the blue
only for a good fitting case where the guitar spends all of it's time in
the case.

Dampits work and I use them in one Eastman case with an archtop. I
think the case does not close tightly as they dry out quickly. I
actually use two of them in the one case. I hook them on the strings
below the bridge and feed them into the one F hole, (noting rubber rests
on the plastic ivoroid). I find these to be a bit of a pain to use as
you have to dampen them, squeeze out the a little water, and dry the
outside off before putting them back in the guitar.

I still recall seeing a luthier friend just using an old plastic soap
box with holes drilled into it with a good size damp sponge inside the box.

Of course I think nothing beats having a small room where you can easily
maintain and monitor the humidity levels in the room.


Danielle

[Nate Najar]

Or move to florida

[TD]

On Monday, January 20, 2014 10:18:26 AM UTC-5, Nate Najar wrote:
> Or move to florida

Then we've got bugs and gators to contend with. Be careful opening the case.

[SB]

On Sunday, January 19, 2014 8:01:55 PM UTC-5, Jonathan wrote:

I live in Arizona (most of the time) and my guitars dry out in the desert. It used to be a big problem with the necks but I dealt with it in an easy inexpensive way. I spent money the first time around on expensive humidifiers which was was a pain in ass for many reasons. Finally I went to the Dollar store, got some sponges and some small plastic bottles. I cut the sponges in strips and stuffed them into the bottles. I then drilled small holes in the bottles, sides, bottom. I filled up the bottles with water, drained the excess and put three of them in each case. Problem gone. Less than $10 for 9 case humidifiers. No more truss rod adjustments.

[Gerry]

On 2014-01-20 18:30:13 +0000, SB said:

> I live in Arizona (most of the time) and my guitars dry out in the
> desert. It used to be a big problem with the necks but I dealt with it
> in an easy inexpensive way. I spent money the first time around on
> expensive humidifiers which was was a pain in ass for many reasons.
> Finally I went to the Dollar store, got some sponges and some small
> plastic bottles. I cut the sponges in strips and stuffed them into the
> bottles. I then drilled small holes in the bottles, sides, bottom. I
> filled up the bottles with water, drained the excess and put three of
> them in each case. Problem gone. Less than $10 for 9 case humidifiers.
> No more truss rod adjustments.

Long ago I bought humidifiers that were pretty much what you describe.
They were round things with a sponge inside. You soaked it for a couple
of minutes in water. Shook the additional water off and popped it in
the case.

The item dissappeared years later. But here's a similar one:

http://tinyurl.com/dx4vwr8

Somebody told me putting a slice of potato in the case would be about
the same thing.
--
Those who wish to sing always find a song. -- Swedish proverb

[Tony Done]

I've heard the potato one.

I used to make them out of 35mm film cans filled with sponge. I'd put a
collar made of soft plastic (milk bottle stock, which I use for a lot of
things) like an Elizabeth ruff under the cap, and then wedge in between
the soundhole rim and the 6th string; the wedge prevented it from
falling inside. Worked fine, and I still have a couple of those cans
lying around somewhere.

In the OP's case I might be thinking in terms of a humidicrib, something
like a plastic tent or the shower stall with a bowl of water in the
bottom for a few days.

--
Tony Done

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=784456

http://www.flickr.com/photos/done_family/

[Mitch]

On Sunday, January 19, 2014 8:01:55 PM UTC-5, Jonathan wrote:

I noticed a number of recent products to humidify your guitar, but I guess I'm rather "old school." I often use those cheap plastic soap holders with top that snaps shut (I drill a few holes, and keep a damp sponge in it). I also use those little black Herco ones. Both need to be moistened about once a week or so, but it seems to get me through the winter.
Mitch

[Jonathan]

Thanks for posting that video!
From the number of Dampits he's using, I'm going to infer that it's safe to use two Oases.

[Garvin Yee]

Like you, I've gone the cheap route, and use ziplock bags with
sponges in them, in my case (always shut tightly).

But this guy seems to have a great idea with flower water beads:


http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=288060

I want to try it....

--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34735015@N03/sets/72157623566520134/show/
http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/garvin-yee.html

[decap...@yahoo.com]

Two oasis' don't make a cactus.

[Gerry]

On 2014-01-21 16:25:52 +0000, Garvin Yee said:

> But this guy seems to have a great idea with flower water beads:
>
> http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=288060

That looks like an excellent--and long lasting--approach.

[Garvin Yee]

On 1/21/2014 10:47 AM, Gerry wrote:
> On 2014-01-21 16:25:52 +0000, Garvin Yee said:
>
>> But this guy seems to have a great idea with flower water beads:
>>
>> http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=288060
>
> That looks like an excellent--and long lasting--approach.

Yes, it looks like to me to be THE cheap way to hydrate
you guitars. Much better than just a sponge.

Time to go to Walmart...