Storing Les Paul Custom in Gun Safe with dehumidifier OK?

[KissGuitar]

I have a couple Les Paul Customs that were made in the late 90's, and I recently purchased a large gun safe that is big enough to store 2 of my guitars in their cases, and I was wondering if it was OK for the guitar to be in there with the Heated dehumidifier bar that goes within a gun safe? The one I have looks like this :



Would the heated dehumidifier be harmful to the guitar in any way, such as the fretboard or anything else? Looking for opinions here....

Thanks

[THRILLHO]

store one on each shoulder and roam the earth peeling peoples faces off with your kickass double-axe crane style

[b-squared]

If you're not storing guns in there, I'd forgo the dehumidifier, myself.

BB

[djwilbanks]

I dunno if its a good idea or not.I'm sure you can put them in there, just maybe don't plug it in?

[Hemply]

You need a humidifier for the gun safe if you're going to store your guitars in there, not a dehumidifier.

The dehumidifier is there to keep the mositure out and away from the guns, moisture is bad for guns and their moving parts.

Guitars on the other hand need some mositure in the air, usually around 47% humidity is a safe amount. You can find them with a "hydrometer" already installed to monitor the amount of humidity in the air.

[red2rider]

You really need to check how the safe is going to react to temp changes and how well it's insulated. Metal cabinets can accumulate moisture very fast with temp changes. I found out when all my power tools in my fire proof file cabinet in the garage was opened one day 2 wks ago. Everything was either oxidizing or beginning to rust.

Getting a dew point sensor is really the best way to know for sure if you need it or not. Then call Gibson and find out what they recommend. Since your really wanting to take special care of your pals go the extra steps to know for sure.

I would buy dessicant first before putting a heater next to my guitars. And it doesn't require voltage to work. Once a yr dry the dessicant out in your stove and reuse. Most cases it's good for 2-3 yrs. You can buy it in various sizes from a company called PPE
(Plastics Processing Equipment). It comes in 1/8" or1/4" size pellets.

RandyB.

[KissGuitar]

I don't know if anyone at Gibson would be able to give me a idea or not, would they really help me out with that?

I know there are a lot of Gibson collectors on here, some of which have very expensive guitars. I have the space in my gun safe for them, so I figure why not have the extra sense of security when I'm not home? I just don't want to F up my guitars by doing this, it would kill me if it messed up the wood on them.

Anyone have an insurance rider on an expensive guitar? I've thought about that, also....

[bildozr]

No Dehumidifier!!!

[Thomas Ochoa]

Originally Posted by KissGuitar

I have a couple Les Paul Customs that were made in the late 90's, and I recently purchased a large gun safe that is big enough to store 2 of my guitars in their cases, and I was wondering if it was OK for the guitar to be in there with the Heated dehumidifier bar that goes within a gun safe? The one I have looks like this :



Would the heated dehumidifier be harmful to the guitar in any way, such as the fretboard or anything else? Looking for opinions here....

Thanks

You should never have a DEHUMIDIFIER, you should always maintain about 40-60 percent relative himidity for guitars to maintain them properly. The Dehumidifier is specific to gun corrosion proctection and will dry out your guitars. Especially the thin finish on a Les Paul. I left my favorite 92' classic with the thinnest neck i have ever played in a storage during the summer and it dried out so much that the frets stuck out the binding on the neck and the finish cracked at the neck joint. Mahogany is very dynamic and will warp and crack when over dried. Do not use the dehumidifier. Use a Humidor Device for keeping Cigars fresh. You go to a Cigar shop and buy a Humidifier made specifically for Cigars and you can use it to maintain proper himidity in your guitar storage space. There is information about this and other technical aspects of storing and caring for guitars at Taylor Guitars website. Their support area has everything you need to know about keeping your acoustic nice and fresh, the same concepts apply to solid body guitars.

P

[joegeek]

I'd say monitor the humidity in the safe and Humidify or de humidify as necessary.

If my memory is correct (please correct me if I'm wrong) the Gibson factories are kept at 42% humidity, the closer you stay to the humidity at time of manufacture the better.

joe

[Mash]

What should I do if I live in a place with around 90% humidity? thats outside

[joegeek]

Radio Shack sells some weather monitors that use wireless transmitters, they show the temp & humidity. I put a transmitter in the case with my guitar (in the storage compartment) that way I know the actual humidity inside the case. The Model i have can monitor 3 transmitters.

I live in souther Virginia and usually run a dehumidifier in my "studio" even with the AC running.

Also keep an eye out for the return of planet waves "humidi pack" they were some sort of goo inside a membrane package that would release or absorb moisture in an attempt to maintain 46% humidity. They were recalled do to some issues with leaks (mine never leaked) hopefully they will get this worked out & re-release them.
joe