Storage
Guitars should be kept between 40 % and 60 % humidity and should not be exposed to sudden or large changes in humidity and/or temperature. Here are some additional tips:
- It’s important to keep your instrument in its case or gig bag when you’re not playing it to protect it from external damage.
- To keep your instrument in good condition, it’s important to keep it away from anything that could strongly affect humidity and temperature, such as heaters, AC vents, windows, etc.
- Before taking it out to play, give your instrument some time to adjust to the room temperature and humidity while still in its case.
Long-term exposure to low humidity can lead to loose tuning pegs, buzzing strings, sharp fret ends, finish cracks, and even cracks in the wood. If you live in a dry climate, you should consider getting an indoor humidifier for the room where you store your instrument. If the air becomes too dry, the instrument should be placed in a case with a built-in humidifier. This should be refilled regularly.
Long-term exposure to high humidity and temperature can lead to higher action, warping of the back and sides, and potential finish cracks, as well as weakening the joints of water-based glues.
