Does anyone use Planetwaves Humidipaks?

[glpstrat]

Does anyone use Humidipaks? I did a search & a few threads came back that were years old & didn't really have anyone's opinions on them...

If you use them, or any other humidifier for that matter, do you just put them in the case? I've been trying this, but it really doesn't help because the case isn't air tight & the humidity just leaks out. I know the 'paks work because I've put them in a zip lock bag with a hygrometer & it went straight to what they're specified to provide, but the inside of my case doesn't.

Just curios what others do, or if they have any ideas on a better solution...I'm currently using the Humidipak Conditioner packs because, like an idiot, I left my guitar out on its stand for a month because I liked seeing it, rather than leave it in its case under the bed... Well, I learned my lesson regarding humidity, or in this case, the lack thereof

The effect wasn't terrible, but I want to get the neck back to where I had it, hence the Humidipaks. So, any idea how to seal my case? I put masking tape around it this morning but want to wait a little longer before I check my hygrometer in the case..

 

[Donal]

Just curios what others do, or if they have any ideas on a better solution...

I'm really lucky that my music room has the same temperature and humidity both sommer and winter. It is so constant that my guitars stay in tune for months (no joke).

The temperature differences put a crack in my Guild cause it was moved a lot from basement to storage to a warm flat etc a few years ago. I should have looked afer it better.

 

[Big Daddy B]

I keep the humidipacks in the case for my Godin Multiac semi-acoustic as I live in a very dry climate. They seem to work fine and my tech gives them good reviews. You know when it is time to change the pack because they get hard/crunchy so pretty easy system to use.

 

[JM2112]

I use Oasis humidifiers when winter comes around. Fill'em up with distilled water, snug the cap on, and I put them in the case lying flat on the floor.

 

[glpstrat]

Well, I just got done playing & I'm happy to say that masking tape worked

The hygrometer only read 55, but I checked the tuning & all my strings were close to a half step sharp, so it must work to seal the humidity in

 

[Drog]

Have used one with my Martin acoustic ( stored in a case in a room outside of my guitar room)for a couple of years and the guitar has stayed exactly as it was. They work great if you start with a properly humidified guitar. I would recommend them.

 

[jlb32]

I personally don't use anything and don't feel the need. Ever wonder how guitars survived in the 50's, etc.. when most people didn't know what air conditioning, dehumidifiers, etc... even was?

 

[Donal]

I personally don't use anything and don't feel the need. Ever wonder how guitars survived in the 50's, etc.. when most people didn't know what air conditioning, dehumidifiers, etc... even was?

I suppose it depends greatly on the conditions in your country/region/house.

I would guess that even in the 50s some got "destroyed" due to heat fluctuations and humidity.

But I do agree that we over do it slightly now a days and that they are more robust than we think.

 

[Joeydego]

Good Luck finding a guitar from that era without a crack, repaired or otherwise. Bob Taylor wrote the book on proper humidification. He told me even different spots in the same room can vary widely in humidity. The humidipaks are your best option. The makers of humidipak told me they'd love to see guitar makers put some plexiglass inside the walls of the cases to seal in the humidity better.

 

[jlb32]

I agree humidpaks are a good option but IMO most guitars will survive in a natural enviornment regardless of the humidity. They may need to be adjusted more often and have more issues with keeping them adjusted but they will survive if cared for, setup and played regularly.

 

[Joeydego]

I agree humidpaks are a good option but IMO most guitars will survive in a natural enviornment regardless of the humidity. They may need to be adjusted more often and have more issues with keeping them adjusted but they will survive if cared for, setup and played regularly.

This is not the case with acoustics. Electrics will fare better. You will ruin an acoustic with constant over/under humidification.

 

[Donal]

This is not the case with acoustics. Electrics will fare better. You will ruin an acoustic with constant over/under humidification.

The proof for all non believers

 

[Joeydego]

Yup that can happen with one bad day

 

[Joeydego]

Did you have a vapor humidifier in that room by chance?

 

[MooCheng]

have only ever use them with my acoustics, electrics don't seem too fussy about RH

It surprised me how much better my acoustics sound when I moved to the UK
Singapore high humidity made them sound like they were stuffed with old socks

 

[Donal]

Did you have a vapor humidifier in that room by chance?

Nope, that happened a few years ago when I split up with my ex-Wife. I was living in a hotel, then in a small apartment, my things were in storage etc. so the guitar got moved around a lot and was not taken care of correctly.

Now my new room is perfect, it is 2 stories below ground, has constant temperature and humidity the whole year round

 

[glpstrat]

I'm happy to say the the 75% packs with masking tape to seal the case air tight worked like a charm after about 3 days, it was back to where it was & it plays great again!!!!

I highly recommend the humidipaks to anyone, at the very least they will DEFINITELY re-humidify a dried instrument!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Wylde Chylde]

If you use them, keep those black pouches away from anything finished with nitro. Find a way to wedge them in the case and/or use something to keep them in a fixed spot in the case so they are not resting against the finish on your guitar. I stopped using the pouches a long time ago and just throw the pack in the case now.

Also keep in mind that you need to humidify the case before you can humidify the guitar in the case. What I mean is that your case will absorb some of the humidity in the pack until it reaches a balance. Then you can put the guitar in the case and have the packs regulate the humidity of both the guitar and the case.

 

[Joeydego]

If you use them, keep those black pouches away from anything finished with nitro. Find a way to wedge them in the case and/or use something to keep them in a fixed spot in the case so they are not resting against the finish on your guitar. I stopped using the pouches a long time ago and just throw the pack in the case now.

Can you confirm a problem with nitro and those pouches or are you being precautionary? Doesn't seem like a material that'd be a problem and by design they shouldn't come into contact with a nitro surface anyway.

 

[Wylde Chylde]

Can you confirm a problem with nitro and those pouches or are you being precautionary? Doesn't seem like a material that'd be a problem and by design they shouldn't come into contact with a nitro surface anyway.

Yes, I can confirm that I have experienced an issue with the black dye used in the pouches transferring to the finish of a nitro finished guitar.