Guitar Care: It's the Humidity

Guitar: "It's not the heat, it's the humidity!"

Now that fall is here, (or just about), we have to start thinking about the care & feeding of our acoustics a bit more.  The best place to keep control over temperature & humidity is still the guitar case.  I prefer the molded thermoplastic cases that came with my Martin Guitars and keep a hygrometer / thermometer inside each one.  Gigbags are great but they are porous and will not maintain optimal humidity and temperature conditions very well.  You need to get serious about storing and monitoring your instruments during times of excessive wetness as well as drier days that come with the fall.  PHOTO: Planet Waves Hygrometer

Now I've been guilty in the past of "over-feeding" my Martin acoustics as top guitar technician, Dave Doll can attest.  I was using the older Humidi-Pak by Planet Waves without a monitoring system inside the case.  As I could not tell what the levels were, the guitars became over humidified and difficult to play, (think REALLY high action).  The Humidi-Pak claims to regulate the humidity, adding/subtracting moisture so you stay roughly between 45-55%.  It's been very rainy the past few weeks and I have to say that the humidity in the case only went up to 59% so I'll call that a success. All the same, I think it's a mistake to leave any humidifying gadget inside your guitar or case without periodically checking to see how the guitar's levels are interacting with the environment.

Another way of dealing with low humidity levels is to simply humidify your ambient environment and store your guitars in a climate controlled room or area.  Your recording studio should definitely be under climate control especially for the benefit of your most precious instrument, your voice.  I like to keep at least one guitar out on the stand for easy access so it's great when the whole studio is properly keep at the right moisture level. PHOTO: Air O Swiss Travel Humidifier

The BEST Guitar polish...
I don't like to polish my guitars that often and I've been told to let the wood breathe for a full year on a new guitar.  Part of keeping the wood moisturized is to use a good guitar polish.  Everyone has their favorite mixtures and elixirs but Virtuoso Instrument Cleaner and Polish are some of the best I've ever used.  The most impressive results will come if you clean and polish your guitar before they get embedded with grime and dirt.  Still the Virtuoso cleaner does a very good job of even dealing with poor, neglected instruments.  I like Martin's Polishing Cloths and try to wipe my guitars down after every use.  Since they all have a light coat of Virtuoso Polish at this point, that;a quite easy and those forearm smudges are a thing of the past. 

The Wrap
Keep in mind that when you buy a new quality acoustic guitar from a reputable dealer, it will be kept in a climate controlled area such as what you see here at Russo's Music Center.  Once the guitar leaves that perfect environment, it begins to dry out.  The sound of that perfectly conditioned guitar is most likely what led you to buy it, right?  You can keep that first spark alive by properly humidifying your instrument at home or in the studio.

This Martin Sustainable Series Guitar is kept in the store at 45-55% humidity.

C.F. Martin's New Cleartone Strings

Dr. M and Martin Craftsman, Dave Doll after restringing her D-16!

One of the things I have appreciated about being a Martin Guitar Owner is the excellent factory set-up all my guitars have received.  In general, most acoustics tend to have a higher action (distance between the strings and fretboard) than electrics.  This has not been a serious problem with my Martin D-16GT or SWDGT even after having them restrung at their Free String Clinics.

These new treated strings are now part of all factory set ups

Not only did I learn a lot about guitar mechanics, but these clinics gave me a chance to try out different Martin Acoustic Strings.  I recently switched from Medium Phosphor Bronze to Lights on my D-16 and was thrilled with the change.  The guitar plays like butter now!

It is worth it to experiment a bit because new strings are like giving your guitar a "voice lift".  Dead strings are just that, DOA.  New to Martin's line of acoustic strings are the Lifespans, treated with Ceartone for longer play.  I am looking forward to trying these out on my HD-28.  These are being installed on all new production Martins this year.  Oftentimes, guitar strings will sit on a wall at the music store and go dead before they can even be played.  Martin hopes to avoid this problem with the use of Cleartone strings which should be a boon to both dealers and their customers.

If you'd like to learn how to properly restring your acoustic, here is Martin Guitar's Restringing Video.
Dave Doll is the Martin Craftsman in the Video who did my D-16GT in the lead photo.  I can say that this is perhaps the best technique out there.  Simple, to the point, Dave shows you some insider tips such as how to keep your strings from slipping out of the posts and effectively seating the end pins with the ball end of the strings. Check it out and you too can get pro results on restringing your acoustic guitar!

C.F. Martin D-16GT

The BEST Guitar Straps for YOUR Axe!

You talked, we listened! If you are looking for the BEST guitar strap for your axe no matter if you play bass, lead or acoustic, we've got it for you. Top guitar strap makes such as Sully's handmade leather straps, Levy's Leathers LTD (shown below), Planet Waves NEW band collections with C.F. Martin's Leather Strap & Guitar Hoodie are all in the mix! To complete your experience, check out our NAMM 2011 Video featuring Ernie Ball Strap Locks vs Planet Lock Straps! It's all here and all for YOU!

PHOTO: NEW for 2011, Levy's Leathers LTD Suede Leather Strap MS71To1 with buckle and acorn embellishments!

PHOTO: Guitarist, Phil Keaggy whom Eric Clapton dubbed as the most under-rated musician of our time.

Keaggy is a Christian artist seen here during his set at RevGen 2010 in Frenchtown, NJ. He is wearing an un-padded adjustable leather guitar strap with the Fender.



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Guitar Gifts for Under $150

Waiting until the last minute to get the MOST bang for your Christmas buck? These are low-cost gifts nearly every guitarist or vocalist would LOVE! The majority are much less than $150.00 so you're in for some pleasant surprises. Make the most out of your Christmas money gifts! Order online and save yourself the holiday hassle!

Don't Forget to enter our UPDATED Guitar Gear Give-Away before MIDNIGHT December 14th 2010! We've added the Planet Waves Capo-Tuner to haul!

Martin Owner's Club

Own a Martin Guitar? Join the Martin Owner's Club and receive this handsome welcoming kit: Martin Marquis Phosphor Bronze Strings, Martin Owner's Club Logo Soft Leather Guitar Strap, VIP Backstage Pass with Lanyard & a MOC Membership Certificate/Card!

If you own a Martin Guitar or are even aspiring to, you should check out this offer! When you become a member of this elite club you are entitled to backstage access to the Martin Owner's Club section of their website where you will find: FREE Guitar Workshops, invitations to member events such as Martin Owner's Club Day for you and up to 5 guests, 10% Member Discounts at the 1833 Shop and MORE! These are just some of my favorite perks and perhaps why I am the original owner of 4 Martin Guitars. The price for membership? Only $45.00 per year.

One of my favorite things to do is to take the museum tour and hang out in the Pickin' Parlor
afterward. So many great guitars to play. What a blast! There's even a Fishman acoustic amp and a cable just in case you want to plug in that Peter Frampton signature model in the photo. You can even bring your own Martin in for light repairs that day! I like to have the strings changed by the pro technicians available at the event. Come early and leave with your Martin set up right! Get all the details and register online at C.F. Martin & Co.


MARTIN OWNER'S CLUB DAY
Friday, August 6, 2010 10 am - 4 pm

I LOVE this event! You get to hear some of the best music played on Martin Guitars by top artists like Thom Bresh, (Merle Travis' son) and Kenny Sultan. You'll get a swag bag of goodies, a scrumptious buffet breakfast and luncheon. Pro workshops with a speech and signing by C.E.O. Chris Martin IV is a fantastic way to find out what's going on in the music industry.

This is more like an intimate family picnic in appreciation of all Martin guitar owners. You never know what country music stars will show up for this annual event. Want to know more about the Official Martin Owner's Club? Accept no imitations! Get all the details and sign up right here online: Martin Owner's Club
Photo: Kenny Sultan, master of Rag and Blues guitar performing on his signature model for Martin Owner's Club Day.

Photo: Dr. M. & Magda, (wearing her Martin Owner's Club Logo hat), touring the Martin Guitar Factory & Museum on Martin Owner's Club Day!

See our pictures and coverage of Martin Owner's Club Day 2009