Ideal Relative Humidity for Acoustic Guitars
The ideal relative humidity for acoustic guitars is generally between 45% to 55%.
What happens if humidity is too high?
Wood expands when it absorbs moisture. High humidity can cause the guitar's top to swell (raising the action and making it hard to play), dull the tone, and potentially weaken the glue joints.
What happens if humidity is too low?
Low humidity is extremely dangerous for acoustic instruments. The wood shrinks, leading to a sunken top, sharp fret ends protruding from the neck, and worst of all, severe cracks in the body.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How should I store my guitar in winter?
- Store your guitar in its hardshell case when not playing, and use a soundhole humidifier or a two-way humidity control packet system inside the case to maintain 45-55% RH.
- Can a cracked guitar be fixed?
- Yes, a luthier can often repair humidity cracks by re-humidifying the instrument until the crack closes, then gluing and cleating it. However, it's better to prevent the damage entirely.