Humidity???

[onemanband]

Hi to all on the forum and a HAPPY NEW YEAR. Let's hope it is and I wish you all friendship and good health.
My query concerns humidity, (sorry if this has been covered before), a subject that is a big issue in various parts of the world, particularly the USA with it's great land mass and variations in weather conditions.
I have recently noticed threads describing serious damage caused to instruments and want to protect my beloved new Avalon A32CE12 from such a fate.
My guitar is always stored in it's case and obviously, gigging here in the UK. during the cold winter months, I observe all the usual precautions; carrying the guitar in the main body of the car, not opening it up to room temerature suddenly etc., and in the summer months, avoiding contact with direct sunlight or heat etc. etc.
Here's the question, because we (United Kingdom) are not subject to such great fluctuations in humidity and temperatures, is there a real need to be aware of any threat and as a result, any real need to employ the use of any humidifier/de-humidifier commercially available.
All opnions appreciated.

Cheers...............Brian

PS. I've never had a problem before, but this is my first handbuilt, all solid wood instrument!

[Walesy]

I'd also be interested to hear any advice on this, and also - if you don't mind onemanband, i'd like to tag on to this thread and ask about using guitars outside in cold UK weather - is this detrimental to the guitar?

[Loki]

There can be tremendous variation within a small area of the UK e.g. between different buildings on one road, let alone between different regions.

The only way to know is to get, and use, a decent hygrometer ( preferably one that also gives max/min temperatures)

This isn't just a problem for Amerkans, it affects Yurrup too

I personally know well one L32 that wound up rather pregnant looking and poorly sounding that had to be signed into Uncle JBs Care Clinic to be dried out very carefully ( Avalons instrument version of The Priory ?)

Hygrometers aren't dear, and who wants to damage their Precioussssss.

FWIW I understand that finish checking can be a real issue with cold weather playing outside unless properly managed. How the finish on an Avalon specifically would hold up, I honestly don't know --- and I ain't gonna experiment!

[onemanband]

Hi, thanks for your input so far.

Walesy......, I used to play outside (busking) around Europe and Scandanavia many years ago and it doesn't get much colder than Norway in the winter!
Then, I had an old Yamaha 12 string (slotted headstock model) that was built like a battleship, which I played on the freezing streets during the day, and in warm bars at night. Never, ever, had any trouble with that guitar, maybe I was just lucky, but I would certainly not even consider subjecting any quality hand built instrument to the same abuse!!
PS. I've been gigging in Wales this weekend...Newport....great people!!

John......yeah, I agree central heating could possibly cause a problem although I tend to keep my guitars in their cases except when being played I'm sure this helps to avoid any potential damage. You seem to agree with my feelings though, that, I doubt that the limited extremes in UK weather warrant humidifiers etc.
Rest assured, I have no intention of taking my Avalon on the street, I have an old Takamine (a great guitar) for that!!

Cheers....Brian

[Walesy]

Cheers for that Brian! I'm considering starting to busk in the near future so its good to hear of someones experience with doing the same. I have to admit though, the 'I would certainly not even consider subjecting any quality hand built instrument to the same abuse!!' comment wasn't what I wanted to hear! - i'm looking at buying an Avalon Legacy to use as my busking guitar but wont part with the cash if it'll end up ruined due to it, maybe it would be better for me to buy a silver series Avalon instead?

[Walesy]

Oh, and good to hear you enjoyed Wales, I moved to Cornwall a few years ago now but originally come from Cardiff so not far from Newport at all!

[simonayrton]

I Live in birmingham and find that the central heating factor is the worst problem. I noticed my avalon staring to dry out a bit this winter.

Check out planet waves they have an electronic humidity device thingy for not too much money and they also sell a humidifier but that is just a glorified sponge that you load up with water. It has worked ok for me though.