Thanks for all the comments on a old, already covered subject.
I wasnāt meaning to open an old repetitive question.
Iād just not seen the answer to the bathroom. Guess I should have kept reading.
I appreciate all the answers.
At this point, I think Iām gonna make my way back to the music store.
Talked to a lady last week about this and she said they got some kinda gel type system that last longer than a sponge. Iām guessing this is what Judi is talking about. I didnāt quiz the employee about what she had though. I think I need further info on whatever she has.
From all the answers, it seems Judiās answer fits my needs about as good as anything.
Iāve only took the guitar in the bathroom a couple of times now. But the thought of the glue used becoming soft had crossed my mind. Plus Iām a bit concerned about the straight shot of high humidity on a likely dry guitar.
Rogier, your pic in the shower jammin made me laugh. I really hadnāt thought of going āthatā far. Surely would hydrate your guitar āinā the shower thoughā¦
Thanks for the replies to an old questionā¦
fwiw, I am skeptical of the bathroom idea, hence my question. I think Iām gonna have to find a better solution as Iāve been convinced that a solid wood guitar is more fragile and needs proper humidity for it to survive the ages.
If I still had the stella, I still wouldnāt careā¦
Thereās only so much you can do in some environments. Right now, at 4:00 in the afternoon, the outdoor temperature here is -8Ā°F (-22Ā°C). Keeping the indoors at 45-55% (Goldilocks zone for guitars)would cause condensation on windows at best, with possible structural damage inside walls at worst. My house is right around 30% at the moment. The guitars are in their cases with humidification devices.
TLDR:
I absolutely would avoid extremes be they dry or wet, acoustics donāt respond well to rapid fluctuations in either direction. You want to keep them in an environment that is between 40% to 60% RH, right in the middle at 50% RH would be ideal. If you can use a cool mist humidifier in the room where you keep your guitar(s), or if that is not possible keep it/them in a case(s) and use one of the various commercial or home brewed methods for maintaining humidity.
Using the bathroom as a quick humidity boost for your guitar might seem like a clever hack, but itās not the best idea for maintaining your instrumentās health. The rapid changes in humidity and temperature can actually stress the wood and glue, especially for solid Sitka spruce and mahogany guitar parts. While your rotation and case storage habits help, a more consistent solution, like a sponge humidifier or even a simple in-case humidifier, would provide steady moisture without risk. Itās great that your other guitars survived tougher conditions, but better care now will keep your current ones in top shape for years to come!
