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Hey folks, I'm loki- new here- but I have been lurking awhile.
I'll jump right in, and ask for some clarification and advice from the many knowledgable people here. I just bought a new Martin DXME- I picked it up for a phenomenal price- it had been slightly damaged and repaired- but the warmth, tone and playability of the guitar (and that price) made it too good to pass up! I played 25 different guitars in three different shops- this one was just beautiful. Of course, I was concerned about the effects the repair would have on it later- specifically since I live in Arizona- about the driest place in the freakin' world right now (no rain for about 150 days!). I bought one of those clip-on the string humidifers and I keep the guitar in the case.
The other day I pulled out the guitar and began to play- immediately noticing it had lost some of the warmth. It just felt different. I also suddenly noticed a crack spidering it way from one repaired spot on the bottom toward the sound hole. It wasn't a complete suprise- it was a repaired guitar. Gotta be the lack of humidity- this clip on thing ain't working very good! I refilled the humidifer (asskicking myself for not paying more attention- thing probably goes dry ten minutes after I fill it). Last night I pulled it out- and I had my baby back. All that warmth and goood goodness was there. So was the crack. Still there.
I know I am going to have to baby this guitar. What is everyone's concensus on guitar humidifiers- what do you all suggest? Even though the clip on is kinda a bitch to use, I'm thinking of using it in conjunction with a case humidifer. Is it going to take such diligence as to have to fill up the humidifers every single day?
I know I have kinda answered my own question- but, I just wanted to say hello and tell my story. And get all of your opinions on humidifers and how to baby a guitar that pays wonderfully but may need some TLC.
Thanks in advance!
Loki
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Phoenix
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Re: Hello...new here..wanted to join the conversation
Fri, March 10, 2006 - 7:46 AMI dont have to worry about humidifiers now, but when I lived in the east coast (dry in winter) I would wipe the guitar down with a barely damp coth every time i played it. I dont know if it helped but it didnt hurt. You also might want to get that repair checked out by another luthier- sounds like the glue isnt holding..
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Re: Hello...new here..wanted to join the conversation
Fri, March 10, 2006 - 1:08 PMLoki: I have a 7-year-old Laravee dreadnaught that I play everywhere. I always keep it in the case and until recently i never used a humidifier with it. I finally decided to do so and all I can say is I can't decipher an iota of difference in the sound, so I guess having a humidifier in my case (I live in Phoenix too) is a better safe than sorry thing.
Of course, my guitar doesn't have a crack it it, either. I'm not real accurate on checking the last time I moistened it, either. Honestly I have no idea. However, those things are made to provide some humidity long after you think they're bone dry so if you check it every month or so you're probably good to go.
TT -
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Re: Hello...new here..wanted to join the conversation
Mon, March 13, 2006 - 1:43 PMThanks to you both for your advice!
I think I will pick up a case humidifier just to be safe, I really am not liking the clip on one very much- just kinda a pain to clip it on- I'm lazy.
Got some moisture now, huh Tom!! Whoo-hooo!! How about that snow in the Supes!!
Loki -
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Re: Hello...new here..wanted to join the conversation
Mon, March 13, 2006 - 6:00 PMSnow in Pheonix, and in March, freaky. We woke up to five inches of the white stuff today, which is not too uncommon for Idaho, but it's not an every year kind of thing either.
I have never used any kind of humidifier or anything else and all my guitars are fine. But I do keep them very well protected from sudden and dramatic temperature changes. My Martin is a 1970 and is as good as new, except for a few battle scars that comes from having too much fun. ( I warned it about that but it does it anyway) I always been told that what hurts a guitar more than anything is sudden environmental changes that cause the wood to expand or contract too fast. That's what I try to avoid at all cost.
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Re: Hello...new here..wanted to join the conversation
Tue, March 14, 2006 - 11:42 AMYou said it, Loki -- from zero to SNOW in 24 hours -- amazing.
TT
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Re: Hello...new here..wanted to join the conversation
Mon, March 13, 2006 - 8:37 PMLoki,
It's not so much the humidity level as the rapid change that is going to cause problems. IF that crack was repaired at a higher humidity it's going to open up when the guitar dries out. You should go get that crack checked out again, if the glue released it should be re-done.
Most luthiers/factories are building in humidity controlled shops around 45% so you should either try and keep your guitar in a similar climate or gradually slide it into it's new home and hope nothing else lets go.
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Re: Hello...new here..wanted to join the conversation
Tue, March 28, 2006 - 6:52 AMHave you inspected the soundboard on the inside of the instrument?
Yank the strings & take a light and a mirror to it. You definately want to know what the hells is going on in there.
Cracks have a very nasty way of getting larger.
You may be able to stop it with a bit of spruce some hide glue and a deep clamp - sort of kind of. Hmmmm OK maybe pretty much stop it - - - - - but I'd really suggest you call Martin.
They recently rebuilt my brother's guitar, which he bought used for a lousy $400.00 in the 1960's. Did a great job.
