DIY (Do It Yourself)

[MediaMan09]

Any ideas re DIY room humidifiers ??

I have a few guitars on my guitar wall, so I thought something clever in the room would be a very effective option to augment the house humidifier.

Those little case humidifers (one per guitar, or one per gutar case) arent that practical in this scenario.

[WRGKMC]

I wouldnt. Humidity is locked into the wood by the finish on electrics. Normal room humidity of 40~70% if fine for them and will have no effect.

For acoustics, its better to keep them in their cases with one of those humidity gauges and an in case humidifier if needed. If you're going to leave them hung up get a home thermometer/humidity meter and hang it on the wall. They're only a few bucks at home depot. If you have central heating, it can get dry in the winter. Might want to keep the acoustics in their cases with the strings slackened 1/3 if you arent playing them regularly.

[sailorman]

I have a similar mix of solid body, semi-hollow and acoustic/classical guitars hanging in my finished basement. We have a fairly new heating/AC system, with a humidifier. I've found the semi-hollows (Casino, Sheraton II) go sharp/flat depending on humidity changes, so they are definitely affected to a certain extent, especially when the windows are open during decent weather, eg. not too hot/cold.

The only time I worry about it, is during the winter. Here in NJ, when we get winter storms coming in from Canada, the air gets very dry, quickly, a good formula for cracking an acoustic guitar top. My humidity meter will indicate under 40%, and I'll get static shocks walking across the carpet. I have a small humidifier that I use for those days. The basement is too large for it to make a huge difference, but it keeps the humidity from dropping under 40% (assuming the rat shack meter is accurate, probably a stretch). I use a de-humidifier in the summer, or the basement smells musty.

My acoustics are pretty expensive (Martin, Jesus Marzal) and I initially worried about hanging them up. As wrgkmc states, it's best to keep them in a humidified guitar case. However, I found that I didn't play them as much as I do when I can just reach over and grab them off the wall. So a trade off. They've been up on the wall for at least 5 years now, with no apparent damage, so I working out OK so far.

[MediaMan09]

I I have a small humidifier that I use for those days. .

What you describe is pretty much exactly where am at ; northern climate, basement studio, expensive hanging guitars, mix of electric and acoustic, central home humidier. My guitars are in partially enclosed area of the baement (doorless room) , out of the sunlight.

I know in-the-case is best, but to me, its like putting the diamonds in the bank vault - they are safe, but they are rarely enjoyed - which defeats the whole purpose of owning them. As you say, a trade-off is needed,

I think a small hmumidier in the room , with a meter, makes all sorts of sense.

[Belva]

I've seen humidified cabinets. Glass doors, sensor etc. But IIRC they were in the 8000 buck range. What about the idea of building something like that?
Seems like you could adapt a small room humidifier to work.

[MediaMan09]

Sears and Home Depot seem to have some reasonably priced room units.

[sailorman]

Mine looks like the Honeywell at HD. One thing, the humidifiers are a PITA. You have to fill with water all the time and the filters get nasty. I had the cure for something grow in mine on more than one occasion; water runs out, filter grows some kind of reddish nastiness and a smell you won't enjoy. I found some humidifier treatments at the hardware store that made a huge difference. You add it to the water every time you fill it up; must kill whatever lives in there. I used one filter for the whole winter last year and must have used 4 the year before. I forget the brand (it's pink), but you should be able to find something similar. Once I found that stuff, it wasn't nearly as much of a pain keeping it going, other than remembering to add water and rinse it out from time to time.

I've thought about building cabinets; may do that someday.

[MediaMan09]

I plan to look long and hard for the 'right humdifier'. I see there are some 'filterless' humdifiers out there, but even thene one needs to be cautous.

Perhaps there are some guitar humidifiers that can be studied for ideas, and redesigned on a larger scale as DIY project. Do they all work the same way? ie sponge with water?

Found this one on the taylor forum :"A small bowl of water, replenished when evaporated, on a central heating radiator works for me. Never had a cracked guitar in over 40 years."

[MediaMan09]

Any experience with these ?:

[MediaMan09]

Regardless of the solution I choose, I need to accrurately measure the humidity in the music room

What are some sources for quality humidity meters (hygrometers) ?

I read some user reviews of the cheaper nes, and they concluded there are potentially very inaccurate - ie inconsistent (when buying two for example), Indeed at the store this morrning, I saw about 10 in stock - all different humidity readings ranging from 20% to 40% !

Starting to read where digital hygrometers are far more accurate.

Found a soruce here, but no sense yet if these are high quiality or not.

[chugheshc2]

get a fish tank

[MediaMan09]

get a fish tank

Actually , I'm using a large glass of water for now!! Humidity in the room seemw to be at 40-45% all on its own ( central humidifer).

[MediaMan09]

Well, I am still trying to find a good solution here to humidfy the guitar room. I have a central air unit, but the basement can get quite dry in the winter. I looked at whack of room humidifers, and they all have one issue another re durability, maintenance, noise etc.. So far the bowl of water is winning the race . The still water in the tupperware seems to work in that the water levels does gradually go down as its gets absorbed into the air over about a week. I have several hygrometers in the room so I know what level I am actaully at. But I am still looking for more elegant solution if one exists. I have not yet introduced sponges, or pads or anytting into the equation. Just curious how I could improve on my bowl of water!! Question - Would water crystals in a glass work the same way as water in a bowl??

[Belva]

You say you have a humidifier in your central HVAC unit? If so I'd first get the hygrometer to see where you're at. You may need nothing. You could even add too much humidity and start rusting metal parts or even causing the electrics to have a hissy fit due to corrosion problems.

[MediaMan09]

You say you have a humidifier in your central HVAC unit? If so I'd first get the hygrometer to see where you're at. You may need nothing. You could even add too much humidity and start rusting metal parts or even causing the electrics to have a hissy fit due to corrosion problems.

Yes, I have a central humidifier, and I have hygrometers throughout the house. In general, the central unit works well, but in this corner of the basement, in the winter, it can get particularly dry, as low as 20%, regardless of the central unit.

So the reallity is that:

Water crystals, set up in one or more nice glass bowls, is next on the list to investigate.

[bee3]

I've read that 45 - 55% is ideal... others have said 50 - 60%. Then here I read between 40 - 60%. What's the real deal?

[Wayne2]

yeah I don't know. You go nuts with a humidifier in the basement you might get mold. Maybe use a fan to bring air from the other part of the basement?

[davie]

Just buy a Hygrometer (to measure room humidity), you can find them in Canadian Tire or The Source. Then just maintain humidity between 40-50% using a pot of water. Or better yet, get some plant vases and fill them plants and water. Decor and humidity in one! :lol:

[MediaMan09]

Yup , bowl of water, vases, all good. Love the simplicity! Ned to avoid stagmant water however (bacteria, etc) Considering these : Crystal Ice Humidifier Gel . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhWfg3rEtfM 4 in the room may work just fine. Lasts two months (in a humidor, so not as long in an open room), but still easy to maintain, as its easy too see when water is needed, and it refills with distilled water - which is about $1 a gallon.