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Posts: 713
Location: Alberta, Canada | I picked up a Planet Waves "Humidity & Temperature Sensor yesterday, so I can better control what's happening with my 1112-4.
Set it up last night and left it on the kitchen table for a few hours, to see what readings I would get in the house.
It flucuated between 26% & 27%. Not great, so I put it and the guitar, with the Planet Waves "Humidifier" installed, in the case overnight.
Today, it is still reading 27%. Have I not left it long enough to increase the humidity in the case, or do I need to do something more. |
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Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | I bet it takes longer than one night t make a difference. |
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September 2006
Posts: 713
Location: Alberta, Canada | Brad, that's what I was thinking, but I'm playin' several times a day, so the guitar is in and out of the case a lot. Every time the case is opened is going to effect the humidity inside, even if the case is closed after removing the guitar.
Just looking for answers/ solutions you guys may have. What am I missing?
Dave |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | I've had Ovations for over 35 years. A few days ago.. for the first time ever ... I looked at my AD-II sitting out and was concerned for it's well being with our recent cold snap.
So... I wetted down a couple damp-it things that Woz passed out at the tour and locked my AD-II up in the case with them. In a couple days I'll look to see if the damp-its are still wet or dried up.
I've never had a worry until recently. You guys got me all spooked.
That might be one of the rare NON-benefits of being in the OFC. |
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Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Yeah Brad, I am also concerned about humidity. And I would like to blame it on the OFC!
But I am glad that someone gave me that information. I live in a damp climate, but winter dryness and electric heat could kill my guitars. So I've got the home-made film-can humidifiers, and a cheapie Walgreen cold humidifier for the room. Good for me, and my guitars.
I try not to obsess, but caution is good. |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | On the flip side of the situation we have the situation of high humidity in the summer. I notice my wood top guitars sound different come mid-summer. Not near as crisp..... almost muddy. Kinda rubbery.
Cliff is due to chime in any second now with his "You sound like *&^%#@ Talyor owners!" nugget of sage wisdom. And he might have a point. |
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Posts: 486
Location: North Carolina | The interior of the case does take some time to equilibrate, and it does help if you don't open the case a lot. Keep that humidifier full. |
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Posts: 150
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada | Best thing I ever did for the guitars (and myself) was a trip to Sears for a floor console evaporative style humidifier with a 5 gallon reservoir ($150.00). No problem keeping the humidity at proper levels now. Additionally, I keep a Damp-It in each of the acoustics and one of the SKB little square humidifier things in the cases with the electrics which I check and re-charge every 10 days or so. I have a digital hygrometer($15.00 at the hardware store)in the guitar room and look at it every day so that I don't go too far either way. I tried a couple of those one room-mister things, but they coated everything in sight with white film, even with distilled water. Put 'em both in the dumpster after I got the console. |
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Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | digital hygrometer($15.00 at the hardware store) I'll have to get one of those to see where I'm at. We have hot water base-board heat. That is not supposed to dry the air out as much as forced air. |
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Posts: 75
Location: Portland, OR | I too didn't think about the humidity.. Had my ovation for about 12 years without much ever happenign to it, most of the time out of the case. Then moved to northern VT last year, living in a house with radiant floor heat - supposedly one of the least drying heating methods.. At any rate, its been freezing here, -15F almost every morning for weeks. I noticed my 1867 vibrating a little more than normal, but didn't think much of it. A couple weeks ago, sitting at my desk while the 1867 sat happily on its stand, I hear a huge pop, crack.. (there may have also been a sizzle, but not sure!). The bridge ripped completely off the top and I have a lovely crack going from where the bridge once was, down to the base of the top. The 1867 may not be the nicest or priciest ovation, but I would have gladly been using a $15 case humidifier if I knew it was going to cost me a $800 guitar. |
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Location: Vermont USA | Wow another Vermonter! There goes the neighborhood.
Hi Nasdtrader
Pauly |
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April 2006
Posts: 1138
Location: CT | I've had a Custom Legend since new. About 23 years old now. Never humidified it. I live in CT where it's 90 and humid in the summer, 20 and dry in the winter, and have never had a problem. However, My Legend LX 12 had a neck repair and reset, as well as the bridge replaced after it completely pulled off the top - and less than a year old. Go figure. |
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Posts: 75
Location: Portland, OR | Originally posted by Paulcc1:
Wow another Vermonter! There goes the neighborhood.
Hi Nasdtrader
Pauly Ha! Hey Pauly, don't worry.. i'm originally from NJ. Vermonters love it when I tell them that!
-Todd |
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Posts: 1180
Location: Vermont USA | I'm from Boston my wife is a Vermonter.
Pauly |
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Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | Two things:
1) You should test the accruacy of your hygrometer. Methods were previously posted so I won't bore those who know.
2)It can take up two weeks for an ovation case to get humidified using one of those planet waves deals. |
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September 2006
Posts: 347
Location: Reno, NV | Originally posted by Prairie Dog:
Best thing I ever did for the guitars (and myself) was a trip to Sears for a floor console evaporative style humidifier with a 5 gallon reservoir ($150.00). No problem keeping the humidity at proper levels now. Additionally, I keep a Damp-It in each of the acoustics and one of the SKB little square humidifier things in the cases with the electrics which I check and re-charge every 10 days or so. I have a digital hygrometer($15.00 at the hardware store)in the guitar room and look at it every day so that I don't go too far either way. I tried a couple of those one room-mister things, but they coated everything in sight with white film, even with distilled water. Put 'em both in the dumpster after I got the console. I think us Nevadan's have it pretty rough humidity wise. My house in the winter is only about 15-20% humidity if I dont use a humidifier. |
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September 2006
Posts: 713
Location: Alberta, Canada | Guys, checked the case this AM and it's now up to 33%. Nice to see it climbing.
One of the features I like with this Planet Waves hygrometer, is it will track the high/low moisture point and give the date and time they were reached. I'm going to chart these readings and it should tell me how long I can go before re-charging my humidifier. I can't think of any other accurate way of telling if the humidifier is dry.
This PW will also track the temperature in the case the same way.
After having the top on my 1112-4 develope large cracks, which destroyed the tone, I'm spooked that the same will happen again if I don't keep on this humidity thing. The expence to repair was significant and un-necessary, and could have been avoided if I had done this sort of thing to begin with. It irritates me to no end that my neglect, altho unknowingly, caused this.
I urge all of you to make this a priority if you live in a climate that much of the year is quite dry. Please heed this advise and protect your fine instruments.
Dave |
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September 2006
Posts: 54
Location: Taiwan | Don't know much about guitars, but I've humidified many hundreds of cigars! It takes a good week to get a new humidifier where it needs to be. That's before putting any cigars in it!
Once you get it where you want it, I think it will settle down and sit there pretty well, even with putting the guitar in and out daily, as the materials hold the moisture fairly well.
I'm thinking the best way to solve this is to build a walk-in humidor to store my cigars and guitars in. I'm sure my wife will love this idea!
Seriously though, what humidity level is ideal for guitars? (Cigars like 72ish) |
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December 2003
Posts: 1889
Location: Central Massachusetts | from the Ovation website: (Support -> Care & Maintenance)
Keep it comfortable:
Generally, if you are comfortable, your guitar will be comfortable. Try to keep the temperature moderate and keep the guitar between 40-60% humidity. Use a humidifier in the case or room if:
[list]
[*]You frequently run the heat or air conditioner.
[*]You are in the mountains or desert.
[*]You aren't sure.
[/list]
If you live by the shore, or on a boat you probably don't need a humidifier. A desiccant (silicon pack) in the case may be needed. |
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March 2005
Posts: 12761
Location: Boise, Idaho | I've been gone for 3 days and forgot to fill the humidifier in the music room. I usually keep it at 46%, but a separate hygrometer says it's actually a little lower. Don't know which is right. Came back today and the humidifier says it's 51%. Must have been warm and wet here when we were gone.
If you live in the desert and the mountains, you probably should be doubly worried. Forgot to take a guitar up to the cabin this weekend, too. Boy was I bored. No guitar, no computer and the only TV channel we could get was PBS. Skiing was so so. |
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Posts: 713
Location: Alberta, Canada | So which one of the collection got cuddled/mauled first? :) |
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September 2006
Posts: 54
Location: Taiwan | 40-60%
Damn! - I'm gonna have to build TWO walk-in humidors.
One for cigars and one for guitars. |
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March 2005
Posts: 12761
Location: Boise, Idaho | Originally posted by colt357:
So which one of the collection got cuddled/mauled first? :) The 1624, just because I had to play Classical Gas before I went back upstairs to finish unloading.
Spent most of the remaining guitar time with the CL. |
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September 2006
Posts: 713
Location: Alberta, Canada | Mark, you've had the CL for awhile now. Would like to hear your thoughts on it. Seems it's getting the most lap time.
Dave |
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March 2005
Posts: 12761
Location: Boise, Idaho | It's my most recent. I always favor the latest. First off, it's really a beautiful guitar. The abalone, bound fretboard and carved bridge really give it a classic appearance. The sound is what I think an Ovation should sound like. It has plenty of bass, but also good mids and highs. It seems to have more volume than the 1537 or 87 and is crisper. That may be because the spruce hasn't loosened up over 20 or so years like the others.
Randy sent it with a set of Elixers and the action is a little higher than I have the others. That may also explain the volume. He sent an extra set of strings, but it sounds so good, I haven't seen the need to change them yet. When I do, I'll probably take out a shim. The action is still great for open chords and barre chords up to about the 3rd fret, but higher than that and I'm a little too lazy with my left hand.
I really think it represents Ovation very well. It is the high end of Ovation's tradition with the center sound hole. |
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September 2006
Posts: 713
Location: Alberta, Canada | Thanks, Mark. I think it is one of the nicest Ovation models and have it on my short list.
Looking forward to seeing what you get to make a bakers dozen! :)
Dave |
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March 2005
Posts: 12761
Location: Boise, Idaho | Who's counting. I'm beyond the point where it makes sense. The next one will probably be my first new guitar in 30 years. I just ran a cost of living calculation and the Matrix would cost around $840 today. Of course, it was at the bottom of the line then and I didn't even know there was an Adamas at the top end of the line. I'm sure there must be some logical reason for the next one, but I have to agree with Cliff, that if I get it, it will because I want it. |
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Humidity ?