Winter Guitar Care Humidity and Cold Weather
Every winter repair benches fill up with cracked tops, sharp fret ends and lifting bridges. Almost none of it is a factory defect. It is the furnace. Heated indoor air in a Tennessee winter can drop below 20 percent humidity, and a wooden guitar shrinks in it. Here is how to get through the season without a repair bill.
What dry air does to a guitar
- Fret ends poke out. The fingerboard shrinks and the metal frets do not. This is the first sign and the easiest to fix.
- The top sinks. The action drops and strings buzz. On an acoustic the top can flatten or crack along the grain.
- The bridge lifts. The top moves and the glue joint lets go.
- Finish cracks. Fine lines in the lacquer, usually from a fast temperature change.
The target
Guitars are built at 45 to 50 percent relative humidity. Keep them between 40 and 55 and nothing above happens. A ten dollar hygrometer in the room or the case tells you where you stand. Solid wood tops, like the ones on the Yamaha FG800J, the Martin LX1 and the Taylor GS Mini, move more than laminate tops and deserve the most attention.
Where to keep it
In the case, closed, away from heat vents, fireplaces and exterior walls. A case is a small room that is easy to keep humid. A guitar on a wall hanger next to a heat register is the one that cracks. If you want it out where you will play it, put it on a stand in the middle of the room and run a room humidifier.
Humidifiers
For a guitar kept in its case, a soundhole or in case humidifier is a sponge or gel pack that releases moisture slowly. Refill it when it feels dry, usually every week or two in winter. For a guitar on a stand, a room humidifier is the only thing that works. Do not use a wet sponge loose in the case, it can drip onto the finish.
The cold car
A guitar left in a car overnight in January is fine as long as you let it warm up slowly. Bring the case inside and leave it closed for an hour or two before you open it. Opening a cold guitar in a warm room is what cracks the finish, not the cold itself.
Electrics are not immune
Solid body electrics do not crack, but the fingerboard still shrinks and the fret ends still get sharp. A quick case humidifier handles it. Strings also corrode faster in winter because of the temperature swings, so change them a little more often. See how often to change guitar strings.
If it already happened
Sharp fret ends can be dressed. A sunken top usually comes back after two weeks in a humidified case. A crack or a lifting bridge needs a repair shop, and the sooner the better. Call us, we will tell you whether it is a humidity fix or a bench job. Our setup guide covers what gets checked.
Browse cases and accessories. Questions? Call the shop at (423) 462-1894 and a real person will help you choose.
Frequently Asked Questions
What humidity should a guitar be kept at?
Between 40 and 55 percent relative humidity. Guitars are built around 45 to 50 percent.
Can cold weather damage a guitar?
The cold itself rarely does. Fast warming after cold and the dry air from heating are what crack tops and finishes.
Do electric guitars need a humidifier?
They do not crack like acoustics but the fingerboard still shrinks and fret ends get sharp. A case humidifier in winter prevents it.
How do I know if my guitar is too dry?
Sharp fret ends, low buzzing action and a sunken top are the signs. A hygrometer in the case gives you the number.
