What humidity should my Martin guitar be at?

C. F. Martin recommends that you keep your instrument's humidity level between 45-55% and temperature between 72-77 degrees Fahrenheit. If you are traveling by car, don't make your instrument ride in the trunk.

What humidity level is good for acoustic guitars?

The ideal humidity range for an acoustic guitar is 45-55 percent, but 40-60 percent is generally acceptable. Use a digital unit rather than an analog type with a needle; in our experience, a digital unit is far more accurate.

Do Martin guitars need humidifiers?

So your guitar has to have a certain amount of moisture in the wood to keep it from cracking. Hope this helps for when you buy a guitar, make sure you get a Martin humidifier! This will literally keep your guitar from cracking!

At what humidity do guitars crack?

Acoustic guitar dehydration

The most common cause of a crack in the top or back of an acoustic guitar is dehydration. Dehydration begins at about 35% humidity, and the lower it goes, the more dangerous it can be.

Is 35 humidity too low for guitar?

Most experts say 40-50 percent. At this level, a guitar will sound and play its best. A great way to control humidity is to use a humidifier.

How to Protect your Acoustic Guitar from Humidity

How do I know if my acoustic guitar is too dry?

Is 60% humidity OK for an acoustic guitar?

The ideal humidity range for your guitar is 45-55% relative humidity (RH). Extended exposure to high humidity can lead to guitar damage.

Is 30% humidity OK for guitars?

To prevent damage, keep your guitar at a consistent 40%–50% humidity level. Whenever conditions are outside of this range, you risk damaging your guitar!

Are dehumidifiers bad for guitars?

A dehumidifier running intermittently can maintain a humidity level of 50% to 60%, which is an acceptable level for storing almost any guitar.

How long does it take for humidity to affect guitar?

Depending on the deviation from ideal RH, permanent damage could take months or years to occur. If instead the guitar is hung from a wall near a heating vent, then 2 - 4 months of a cold winter could cause permanent damage. Woods used for acoustic guitar backs and sides are usually cured at about 50% relative humidity.

What temperature should I keep my acoustic guitar?

Guitars are made mostly of wood and that wood can be affected by temperature and humidity. Extreme temperatures and changes in humidity will cause the wood to shift and change, sometimes dramatically, which affects the sound and shape. Ideal temperature is 66-77 °F (19-25 °C). Ideal humidity is 40-50 percent.

Does a guitar case protect from humidity?

There are two main kinds of guitar cases: gig bags and hard cases. Gig bags are light to carry and provide a good amount of protection. They do not, however, protect against temperature changes very well. Hard cases, on the other hand, provide excellent protection against temperature, humidity, and physical damage.

How do you tell if guitar is over humidified?

Signs a Professional Repairperson Will Look For:

A pro will use visual sighting as well as a straightedge to diagnose over humidification. Over humidified guitars can have an improper neck angle, improper bridge angle, or unusually swollen (arched) top and/or back.

Should you keep guitar in case?

Cases Closed

Generally speaking, the safest way to store a guitar is in its case—ideally, a good-quality hardshell, as opposed to a gig bag or ill-fitting chipboard case.

How often should I humidify my guitar?

If your humidity is consistently in the 35 to 45 per- cent range, re-wet the Dampit every 10 to 14 days. Working musicians who routinely perform in dry regions and winter climates should keep their soundhole humidifier moist all the time, and use a second humidifier as previously mentioned.

What temperature is bad for guitars?

Steer clear of extreme temperatures of less than 32 Fahrenheit (0 Celsius) or more than 95 Fahrenheit (35 Celsius). Use your heating or air conditioning systems to maintain an acceptable temperature in your guitar room, but keep your guitars a good distance away from the units themselves!

Is it OK to hang your guitar on the wall?

Hanging a guitar on the wall is not recommended. While hanging a guitar on the wall is unlikely to cause damage in and of itself, it's not nearly as safe as storing your guitar in its hard shell case.

Can you humidify a guitar in a gig bag?

You can humidify a gig bag, but the results will vary depending on the type and quality of the gig bag. Generally, this is not as effective as using a case humidifier in a hard-shell guitar case. A gig bag is not as airtight as a hard case, and the moisture is not evenly distributed throughout the gig bag.

Is 35% humidity OK?

Determining Ideal Indoor Humidity Levels

In general, indoor humidity levels between 35 and 45 percent are considered acceptable, but when asking the question “What should the humidity be in my house?,” it's important to take into account the season.

How long does it take to humidify an acoustic guitar?

Insert the humidifier(s) in the body of the guitar, put the guitar back in the case, and close the lid. It usually takes three days to see results, but you can check the guitar daily for improvement.