Recommendations for a Humidifier

[Ravon]

I think I've seen it discussed somewhere here but I can't find it . I like the Planet Waves Humidipak because of its ability to keep it at a constant 45% rel. humidity but I'm just seeing it sold for acoustics and I've got a couple archtops. Anyone point me in the right direction? Thanks

 

[davismanLV]

You can order them from the Stewart-MacDonald catalog. Not listed in the index but it's on the page with the strings and string winders. Two types, one for the acoustic guitar soundhole, and the Humidipak which are little pouches that you might be able to use with an archtop. Not sure, but it's worth a look-see if you have the catalog handy. In my most recent one, it's on page 77.

 

[Ravon]

Thanks Tom

 

[GAD]

These are the only humidifiers I use:

http://oasishumidifiers.com/case.html

 

[davismanLV]

And the reason for this IS????? More info needed.

 

[Ravon]

And the reason for this IS????? More info needed.

I've got a Ovation thats now got some serious cracking in the top. Looks like its just in the finish but I'm not a 100% about that. Sounds better now than ever though. I'm pretty sure its mainly from temperature shock but just trying to avert any catastrophes with the archtops. I'm gonna check out GADS system as well as I like the humidity gauge package. Here in the Ohio Valley I'm not concerned with too low humidity in the summer of course, but running the A/C constantly might be a game changer.

 

[Ravon]

Tom it looks to me now like you may have been asking about GADs post, sorry.

 

[davismanLV]

HAAAAA HAAAAAA!!! I was asking about GAD's post, but that's okay. Now I know a whole lot more about the condition of your Ovation. Nothing wrong with that. When people say "I only use THIS product." or "This is the best WHATEVER I've ever used." I always want specifics. WHY is it so great?

Easy to fill, fits in the case, adaptable to multiple situations, durable??..... whatever the reasons are for something to get such accolades. It's helpful.

 

[GAD]

I refuse to put anything containing water inside my guitar. The case mounting system of the Oasis works, and works well. The design of the humidifier itself is fantastic - one look and you know it needs to be refilled. I have about eight of these little buggers, and I've had most of them for about three years. None has ever failed me.

They contain a crystalline powder that absorbs water. When you fill them, the water turns to a gel, so even if it breaks, the gel keeps the water from pouring out. You can buy more of the powder in case you ever spill it.

I actually keep the hygrometer on my desk next to one of these humidifiers. I fill the one on my desk the same time I fill the ones in my cases. When I see the one on my desk shrivel, I know ti's time to fill all the cases. FWIW the one on my desk always shrivels faster than the ones in the cases, so it seems to be a good system.

Here in NJ, relative humidity ranges from 90% in the summer to 10% in the winter. As soon as it gets below 40%, I start filling the Oasis tubes. When it gets above 60%, I pull them out.

I always fill them with distilled water using the included syringe.

So in short, they work, they're easy to use, I've never seen one leak, and I'm a fan.

 

[twocorgis]

I refuse to put anything containing water inside my guitar.

Me too. That's why I do the whole house humidifier thing. Just set it and forget it, and it's great for getting rid of the static electricity/itchy skin/dry sinus conditions you get in the winter. I like to leave some of my guitars out on stands, too.

 

[davismanLV]

Thanks, GAD!! That's the kind of information I'm talkin' about!! I'm sold.....

 

[Ravon]

I'm sold. Oasis case humidifier with hygrometer it is then, thanks

 

[guildman63]

Until recently I used the Oasis tubes as well, and they do work very well. They keep the humidity in each case in a safe range, and they need refilling less than once per week with a less than 10% RH environment in my house in the Winter. However, I was frustrated that I had to keep each guitar in its case at all times when not playing, so I looked into whole house humidifiers.

In January I got a MoistAir MA1200/MA1201 (www.moistair.com for around $100) rated for 2500 square feet. I put it at the base of my stairs along the front wall with my office/guitars at the top of the stairs in the back corner of my house. Set at 45% RH it raised my office from 8% without the humidifier to nearly 40%. This is a cool air humidifier that actually makes it feel a little warmer (perhaps for the same reason that 70 degrees in Fla feels warmer than 70 degrees in Az (RH). At less than 10% in the Winter I was refilling the humidifier once each day, which may sound like a hassle, but it is really quite simple and quick. Each night before going to bed it would take literally less than 3 minutes to refill the entire unit. Most people don't have to worry about such extreme conditions, but this humidifier definitely works very well, and for the entire house, not just the inside of each guitar case.

FYI...I chose the MoistAir MA model because it was the only one I could find online with an average review greater than 4/5 stars. Their HD models did not appear to fair so well in the reviews. Also, a local music store uses both an HD and MA model, and they love the MA but do not like the HD.

 

[davismanLV]

I'm with you, guildman. I don't want to keep my guitars in their cases. Too inconvenient. If I do that I know I will avoid playing them. They have to be handy and convenient. Plus, I feel that guitars are beautiful, like art so, I like them displayed. I do the whole house humidifier as well. I use the Kenmore from Sears which works really well, and the controls are easy and straightforward. The only drawback is the damn filters are SO expensive. They're $20 a pop and they last barely over a month during high-use times. They will last a bit longer if I use distilled water, which I usually do, but then my expense is WATER instead of FILTERS. So it's a trade off.

I can clean the filter with a solution of water and vinegar, which de-mineralizes the filter and keeps it working a bit longer, but it's a pain in the a$$ to do and it only adds a brief amount of time to the life of the filter. Eventually they wear out and clog up and you just have to replace them.

What kind of filters do the Moistair humidifiers use, and are they any more long-lived than the Kenmore? I have to replace mine today. The poor thing is laboring away and can barely get up to 36%. I'll replace it this afternoon.

I'm always glad to get information on whole house humidifiers, what with living in the land of the PARCHED. :roll:

 

[twocorgis]

FYI...I chose the MoistAir MA model because it was the only one I could find online with an average review greater than 4/5 stars. Their HD models did not appear to fair so well in the reviews. Also, a local music store uses both an HD and MA model, and they love the MA but do not like the HD.

Really? I've only had my HD14070 for one season, and it performed flawlessly. I took it apart a couple of weeks ago, and the filters were still in pretty good shape, but I'm going to replace them anyway per the manufacturer's recommendations. This model gets nearly straight five star reviews on Home Depot's website, and I even got the store manager of the local GC to buy one. He loves it, and it's much better than the Rube Goldberg setup they had before. Much quieter, too.

 

[Ravon]

Are there any home humidifiers out there that automaticaly adjusts to a preset level? Thanks *edit* ok I see a few that do that

 

[davismanLV]

No worries, Ravon. Both the links to whole house humidifiers have models that have a humidity setting. I keep mine at 40%..... only because there's only so much you can do here in the desert. If I set it higher the damn thing runs CONSTANTLY and I have to fill it three times a day. I become a slave to my humidity!!

Good news is that I went to Home Depot and checked the humidifier filters they had there and none of them fit my model of Kenmore, but I tried the Trim To Fit one, cuz it looked like it would be about right. It might be 1/2 inch shy but other than that I installed it and with NO TRIMMING or adjustment, it's working GREAT!! And it only costs $9.99!! I just cut the cost of my filters in HALF!!!

Doesn't take much to get me excited, right? :lol:

Now I'm going in the pool.... it's damn HOT out there. Y'all enjoy your Sunday.

 

[guildman63]

In 8% humidity I went through only two filters between early January and mid to late April when I stopped using it (discharge was at a much slower rate by early April due to warming temps). I ran well water through it that is very high in iron, and I still got about 6 weeks out of the first filter during the coldest part of the Winter. I bought 6 filters, which should last me almost two seasons, and they cost around $11 each. You have to be sure to shop around for the filters as prices can vary tremendously.