Avalon Acoustic Guitars

by **Paulh** » 18 Apr 2007, 12:59

Hello - just took delivery of a beautiful D24 Legacy (Maple back and sides). Haven't really had the chance to let it sing yet as I'm at work and attracting too much attention from the boss.

However, I was wondering what folk use for monitoring and humidifying their guitars. I've never worried about it before, but this is my first all solid wood guitar and I want to treat is nicely

Cheers
Paul.

by **Son of Thunder** » 18 Apr 2007, 20:19

It might be helpful to know what part of the world you live in. Here in the very arid desert of Southern Nevada, I needn't bother monitoring the humidity, because I know it's going to be too low for my guitars.

I keep my guitar in a case with a humidifier whenever I'm not playing it. It's the only hope for this climate! (I learned that the hard way!) I've had great results with the Kyser Lifeguard.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Kyser-Lifeguard-6-or-12-String-Acoustic-Guitar-Humidifier?sku=421904

By the way, congratulations on your new guitar!

by **Paulh** » 18 Apr 2007, 22:43

Hi there - I live in the UK, generally we don't get very extreme humidity either way, but I guess I've no idea what 50% humitity feels like - looks like over doing it is safer than underdoing it, but I'd rather get it right. I guess I could get a meter, but I doubt they are accurate.

by **Mr. Pohl** » 19 Apr 2007, 06:36

I'm a little slow on this learning curve. I think that the concern of humidity and how it effects solid wood guitars should be of premier interest. JB, or any of our other knowledgeable folk about, what is the optimum storage conditions for Avalon instruments? Given Hiscox case used between playing? What effect humidity? Temperature? If you scratch or ding the guitar does this change storage considerations? Should we use different precautions in extreme environments, like Nevada :lol:

? What about the rainy season? :?:

by **Paulh** » 20 Apr 2007, 13:36

Thanks for all the replies - Yep, John the Guitar looks (and sounds) sublime.
I'll see if I can find a cheap hydrometer, but it looks like raised frets are the early warning.
I'll take a look at the planetwaves thing, but I guess I'll be OK now until winter sets in.

by **Son of Thunder** » 20 Apr 2007, 14:30

Paul,

I didn't worry much about the humidity during my 15 months in the UK. Living in Lincolnshire, I was relatively close to where the guitar was made, and anyway, it was a much more humid climate than the desert Southwest of the US. My Lowden seemed to love it. The frets seemed to shrink as the wood drank in the moisture.

Even during the winter, we had radiant heat, which doesn't affect indoor humidity much, and with all the fog outside, I didn't think it would be much of a problem.

Ah, to live where the earth is green! We keep humidifiers going 24/7 and still the furniture we brought back from England has some small cracks in it!

by **Fletch** » 14 May 2007, 20:18

Hi everyone, I was wondering if anyone rates the Planet Waves PW-HPK-01 HumidiPak Automatic Humidity Control System? This seems a no nonsense way of maintaining the humidity for our prized posessions. Price seems a bit steep, but the refills are about Â£5, so it could be worth it. Has anyone had experience with this?

http://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/Catalogu ... uctId=2566

Also, does anyone know a UK dealer for the Kyser Lifeguard? Cheers

Fletch
javascript:emoticon(':D')

by **Zen Sonic** » 14 May 2007, 21:52

Greetings Paul, I have heard good things about Oasis humidifiers though I have not used them myself. Please enjoy your great guitar, S. Barry

by **Johan** » 16 May 2007, 08:00

I live in Sweden where the humidity gets quite low indoors in the
winter time (central heating). I solved the problem by keeping my
guitars in one room where I use a room humidifier and an hygrometer
to monitor the humidity. The humidifer is only 25 W and uses cold water
which is pumped out and made into a fine mist with the help of ultra
sound, the output is variable. It works perfectly and the humidifier only
cost about $40, the downside is that you have to refill it every day but
it gets to be a habit. I really recommend this if you have several guitars,
you also avoid the risk of mould which can occur if you are to generous
with water in a case humidifier.
Cheers, Johan

by **tcamp22** » 13 Apr 2008, 01:48

I was reading several posts on the humidity issure. I live in Colorado, and its arid here. The RH level gets down pretty low, under 20 during summer months, however indoors remains pretty constant in the mid 30's. Anyway, as far as a humidifier, I just made my own. Primitive? Very, but works as good as any. Take a little tupperware tub, drill some holes in it, wet a sponge, put it in the tub, and leave it in your case. Not high tech, but works fine. Just a suggestion to those who like tinkering around......

by **rocksteady** » 13 Apr 2008, 04:33

Fletch wrote:Hi everyone, I was wondering if anyone rates the Planet Waves PW-HPK-01 HumidiPak Automatic Humidity Control System? This seems a no nonsense way of maintaining the humidity for our prized posessions. Price seems a bit steep, but the refills are about Â£5, so it could be worth it. Has anyone had experience with this?

http://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/Catalogu ... uctId=2566

Also, does anyone know a UK dealer for the Kyser Lifeguard? Cheers

Fletch
javascript:emoticon(':D')

They had a recall on the Planet Waves Humidipak due to some leakage from the moisture containing bags. I don't think it was but a few. they are hard to find now.

by **Lentin** » 21 Apr 2008, 22:04

Hi, All.
I live in Madrid, Spain, and summers are really hot and dry here.
I had never been concerned about humidity before, but reading this forum I got stressed with it.
:shock:

I begun to hear my guitar sounding really bad and thought it was due to a very dry environment.
So, I bought two different Planet Waves humidifiers, since they were no expensive and I've got more than one guitar.
The most expensive (30 euro / 20 pounds) was the Automatic. My feeling was that humidity level for my Avalon got too high. (I had to carry my guitar to a luthier, but due to previous dry environment).
Nevertheless, I didn't feel really comfortable with the humidifier.
It's my opinion.

by **tcamp22** » 12 Jun 2008, 13:42

About a month ago, I received a new Avalon Legacy. So, since then I've been a lot more concienctious about the humidity factor. Anyway, Home Depot sells a small battery powered humidity/temp guage for about $12 bucks. I stuck some velcro on it and put it in the case. Now, you will need to check the guage for accuracy, and the way to test them is on the internet. You use a bit of wet salt, and seal the salt and guage in a container and let it sit overnight. It should read 70% after that time. If it doesnt, just keep it in mind. The guage I have read 2% low (68%). Anyway, I have a soundhole humidifier, and a couple small containers with wet sponges in them in a couple areas in the case. This might seem like over doing it. But, the outdoor humidity in the Denver area as I type this is 17%. A far cry from the 40% suggested. I just checked my case, and it read 42%. So, this method works. I also keep the guitar in the basement, which is more humid. Humidity is a factor, not just with guitars, but with about all wood, and for that matter, your body. About the only good thing about this really low humidity is that your crackers and cereal stay crunchy.....

by **mgrey** » 12 Jun 2008, 14:10

Is there a concern with living in an area with high humidiy...like say about 50-60 miles away from costal towns in north florida?

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