A Little Care Goes A Long Way
I love my battle-worn Norman ST-40 acoustic guitar. The cedar top gives it a warm sound, and a proper initial setup by a good luthier in my area has it playing like a dream.
However, thanks to the drier winters we’ve had here in Quebec over the past couple of years, I’ve popped the same brace under the top three times, needing three repairs. Repairs that I could have avoided with some inexpensive humidification tools to keep the wood and glue happy.
We sometimes forget that acoustic guitars are somewhat fragile. While they can be the instruments of folk/country/americana/rock (or whatever style you fancy) that we wield for savage musical funcraft (to paraphrase Greg Koch), they are still objects made mostly of wood, under enormous amounts of tension, and subject to the elements. These can also stay in top shape with regular maintenance and care. Here are some things you can do to keep your acoustic guitar playing at its best and maintain its structural integrity.
Temperature and humidity
Acoustic guitars can be greatly affected by temperature changes, especially sudden ones. It is important, at the basic level, to ensure the following:
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Your guitar is kept in a location with the ideal temperature (65-78 degrees) and humidity (between 45% and 60% relative humidity)
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Your guitar is stored away from sources of heat, such as convection heaters and air conditioners, and from direct sunlight, so the wood doesn’t expand or contract unnecessarily.
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Your guitar has time to acclimate when brought in from one “extreme” temperature situation to another (such as from a cold car in winter into a warm house. The rule of thumb here would be to keep the guitar sealed in its case in a room with ideal conditions for the same amount of time that it was in a more adverse situation, so that it can slowly come back to temperature.)
In terms of humidity and temperature, lower humidity means drier wood, which can lead to cracks, bracing issues, unglued joints, and fret sprouting due to fretboard recession. Too much humidity can cause swollen top wood, loose joints, and metal parts to corrode on the guitar.
Thankfully, there are tools to help maintain proper temperature and moisture. If you like to keep your guitars on stands at the ready, the first is your thermostat: keeping the room your guitars are in at the ideal temperature. The next step is a hygrometer to measure the room’s overall humidity, paired with a humidifier or dehumidifier to keep things in check.
If you prefer to keep your guitars in their cases or plan to travel with them, there are several tools available. D’Addario offers its Humidipak line, along with humidifiers that fit in your guitar’s soundhole. Oasis also offers a range of humidity-control tools for guitars, fiddles, ukuleles, and other stringed instruments. This is only a mere sampling of the tools out there, so hit up your local music store and see what’s available.
Wear and tear
Now that we've covered preventive maintenance, let’s look at the other key thing to keep on top of: wear and tear.
Like a car, parts of the guitar do wear out and often need repair or replacement:
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Depending on age, wear, corrosion, and other factors, strings may need to be replaced regularly, especially if you play often.
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Frets often wear down or develop divots under the spots you play most.
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Machine heads and tuning keys can loosen and wear, leading to tuning instability.
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The nut and saddle can also wear down after repeated string changes and tunings.
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Electronic components like input jacks can also become loose or unsoldered over time.
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Strap pins can loosen, and the holes can often be stripped by repeated tightening.
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With temperature and humidity fluctuations, tops can crack, braces can unglue, necks can warp, and other headaches can occur.
Some of this can be easily done yourself as needed. A string change here, a strap button tightened there... but like your car, which can benefit from a regular tune-up, it's best to find a good luthier and have a regular setup. These checkups usually entail a big once-over of the instrument, inspecting the components, suggesting repairs and getting your guitar back to great playing shape. A worthy investment you can make once a year to keep everything in playing shape!
So, keep your guitars happy, properly humified and in the right conditions, and they’ll give you years of playing joy!
