Do semi hollow guitars need a Humidipak?

[Stratzrus]

I just picked up some Humidipaks for my Martin but I'm wondering if my ES-335 needs them too. Average humidity in my house is around 20%.

 

[Stratzrus]

Any thoughts?

 

[metropolis_4]

I’m not an expert, so take this with a grain of salt.

There’s less wood exposed in a 335, but there is still some; that wood could be impacted by humidity the same way the wood in the Martin would. Since there’s not as much exposed wood, and it doesn’t have the pressure and stress on it that a hollow body does (it’s not bearing the tension of the strings or the downward pressure of the bridge for example), I would assume there is a lower risk of stress cracks happening

 

[Stratzrus]

Thanks. That's helpful.

I think I'm going to Humidipak it. The 335 is my life's blood and I'd be devastated if it became damaged due to low humidity.

I may do the same for my ES-137 Custom. I didn't want to do it if it wasn't necessary but I'm thinking why risk it?

 

[paisleywookiee]

You should be getting an evaporative humidifier for the room where you keep guitars. Those Humidipaks are okay, but IMO depending on the area, not sufficient compared to a good humidifier. 20% is really low.

 

[Stratzrus]

You should be getting an evaporative humidifier for the room where you keep guitars. Those Humidipaks are okay, but IMO depending on the area, not sufficient compared to a good humidifier. 20% is really low.

Thanks for that suggestion. I wasn't aware about evaporative humidifiers. I'll check it out.

 

[paisleywookiee]

Thanks for that suggestion. I wasn't aware about evaporative humidifiers. I'll check it out.

Vornado is what I’ve used for years. Also invest in a hygrometer. They’re cheap on Amazon, even the WiFi connected ones.

 

[iaresee]

If you love it, humidify it.

I keep my office humid in the winter using a Venta 400 sqft model. It’s pricey but doesn’t lead to mold problems as easily as a misting humdifier.

The hollowbodies do well with this.

Acoustics stay in cases with Boveda packs.

It can get below 20% humidity in the winter here which is very damaging range for guitars over a long window of time.

 

[paisleywookiee]

If you love it, humidify it.

I keep my office humid in the winter using a Venta 400 sqft model. It’s pricey but doesn’t lead to mold problems as easily as a misting humdifier.

The hollowbodies do well with this.

Acoustics stay in cases with Boveda packs.

It can get below 20% humidity in the winter here which is very damaging range for guitars over a long window of time.

OMG dude. That's exactly what I want. Wifi connected and all that.

 

[Stratzrus]

Thanks guys, this is helpful.

 

[iaresee]

OMG dude. That's exactly what I want. Wifi connected and all that.

I have a Govee thermometer/hygrometer in the room to keep an eye on things as well.

 

[paisleywookiee]

I have a Govee thermometer/hygrometer in the room to keep an eye on things as well.

Yeah, “second opinions” on humidity and temp are well worth the $50 or so, when it comes to thousands in guitars.

 

[iaresee]

Yeah, “second opinions” on humidity and temp are well worth the $50 or so, when it comes to thousands in guitars.

Exactly!

I have rails on the wall and guitars hang from them. Truthfully, if I was doing it again, I'd probably buy some cabinets and put them in those. It is a fair bit of work to keep the humidity up in the winter time. Constant vigilance. If they were in a cabinet, with glass doors, I'd still have easy access to them but the space to humidify would be so much smaller and easier to control.

 

[paisleywookiee]

Exactly!

I have rails on the wall and guitars hang from them. Truthfully, if I was doing it again, I'd probably buy some cabinets and put them in those. It is a fair bit of work to keep the humidity up in the winter time. Constant vigilance. If they were in a cabinet, with glass doors, I'd still have easy access to them but the space to humidify would be so much smaller and easier to control.

Mine stays really consistent, so all the guitars out hasn’t been a problem. But it’s a relatively small room though.

 

[Dez]

do not take my advice on this:

I left my acoustic and Hollowbody out of their cases this winter. It’s been a shitty cold and dry winter here too. No damage but I know that doesn’t prove a thing. I just kinda rolled the dice. If I see damage due to lack of humidity I’ll update this thread lol

 

[paisleywookiee]

do not take my advice on this:

I left my acoustic and Hollowbody out of their cases this winter. It’s been a shitty cold and dry winter here too. No damage but I know that doesn’t prove a thing. I just kinda rolled the dice. If I see damage due to lack of humidity I’ll update this thread lol

Put the acoustic on a table, get close to the body, and look across the surface. better yet, if you have a straight age. See if there are ripples. That's usually one of the first things to happen.

 

[Dez]

Put the acoustic on a table, get close to the body, and look across the surface. better yet, if you have a straight age. See if there are ripples. That's usually one of the first things to happen.

I’ve been watching it and nothing. I know I’m doing the wrong thing, it’s just that I’m lucky or it hasn’t happened yet lol

 

[paisleywookiee]

I’ve been watching it and nothing. I know I’m doing the wrong thing, it’s just that I’m lucky or it hasn’t happened yet lol

Yeah, it doesn't mean it'll definitely happen. You're just playin' with fire

 

[Dez]

I’m really not concerned with the Hollowbody because it’s a ply top and back like a 335. Doesn’t mean it’s immune but plywood is 1000x more stable than solid wood (accurate science number there). The acoustic being completely solid wood will be the first to show signs I’d think.