Taylor 200 Series 210, 200 Series 210ce, 800 Series 810CE, 710CE, GA4-12 Supplementary Manual

T AYLOR

T ECH S HEET

USING A GUITAR HUMIDIFIER

Q

uality acoustic guitars are
made from solid wood, and

Taylor guitars are built in a
controlled environment where the rela­tive humidity is 47 percent. It is essen­tial to maintain a proper moisture level
to prevent adverse effects such as bad
string action and buzzing, protruding
fret ends, cracking, top-sinking (see
illustration at right), and other damage
to your instrument. As always, your
guitar case provides essential protec­tion from drying and other environ­mental effects, but in areas prone to
severe dryness and/or cold, (such as
heated homes), you MUST use a gui­tar-humidifying device.

There are several stringed-instru­ment humidifiers on the market that
are specifically designed to maintain or
restore the proper moisture level.
These include the clay-filled type
(about the size of a small film canister);
the vinyl soundhole-cover type; and
the long, “rubber-tube” type, which is
what we recommend and sell.

Of the tube types (Dampit,
Humitron, etc.), we recommend the
larger one, which is approximately one
foot in length and 3/4 of an inch in
diameter (see illustration, right). The
“film canister”-type humidifier releases
moisture in discreet amounts, and only
works well in areas of minimal dryness.
The vinyl soundhole-cover types work
well enough, although they have a ten­dency to trap the majority of the mois­ture in the body, not releasing enough
into the case to benefit the neck.

The tube humidifier often comes
with a plastic soundhole cover contain­ing a humidity gauge. To make this
humidifier more “user-friendly,” discard
the plastic cover and use only the tube

itself. Like most humidifiers,
the tube type is basically an
encased sponge. Hold the
tube under cool tap water
until the sponge inside is sat­urated. Then, wring out the last

drop of excess water, and dry off
the outside of the tube. This is
important, because water drippings
can damage your instrument.

Suspend the tube inside
the guitar body by wedging
it between the G and D
strings, so that the plastic cap
prevents it from falling into
the guitar (see illustration).
This enables the moisture in
the tube to humidify the
body, the neck, and the case.

HOW

OFTEN S

HOULD I

R

E-WET THE HUMIDIFIER?

That depends on the
season and the region in
which you live. As a general
rule:

• In areas of the country that
are very dry, or where cold
winters are the norm, or
where the relative humidity
consistently remains in the
20 to 35 percent range, re­wet your humidifier every
five to seven days. [Homes
with wood-burning heaters
frequently have extremely
dry interiors.]

• If your humidity is consis­tently 20 percent or lower,
which often is the case in
homes with wood-burning
heaters, refer to “A Word to
the Wise.”

1980 G

ILLESPIE WAY • EL CAJON, CA 92020-1096 • CUSTOMER SERVICE [phone] • FAX [phone]

USING A GUITAR HUMIDIFIER Copyright 1994 Taylor Guitars All Rights Reserved

Dips

Raised

Smooth Arch

Normal

Bridge raises; action high and hard to play

Bridge sinks down; low action causing strings to buzz

Bridge in correct position; action proper

Dry

Wet

• If your humidity is consistently in
the 35 to 45 percent range, re-wet the
Dampit every 10 to 14 days.

• Working musicians who routinely
perform in dry regions and winter cli­mates should keep their soundhole
humidifier moist all the time, and use
the supplemental method mentioned in
“A Word to the Wise.” Instruments that
spend a lot of time outside of their
cases, and/or under hot stage lights,
require a higher-than-normal amount
of humidification.

A WORD TO THE WISE

In extremely dry areas of the country,
where the humidity is consistently 20
percent or lower, we recommend using
a second humidifier in your guitar case.
Place it in the space at the top of the
case, not in the compartment.

FINAL NOTE:

Typically, a soundhole humidifier will
dry out in two to four days. It is not
necessary to re-wet one other than
for the reasons cited. If you follow
the procedures outlined, and your
guitar still isn’t responding, call
customer service at [phone].

USING A GUITAR HUMIDIFIER

(continued from page 1)

USING A GUITAR HUMIDIFIER Copyright 1994 Taylor Guitars All Rights Reserved

1980 GILLESPIE WAY • EL CAJON, CA 92020-1096 • CUSTOMER SERVICE [phone] • FAX [phone]

NOTE: Do not leave the humidifier lying flat inside the
guitar, or it will make too much direct contact with the
wood. Illustration shows proper positioning.

To monitor the amount of humidity your guitar is
receiving, we recommend the purchase of a hygro­meter, a device that gauges and provides a read-out
of humidity levels. In our experience, digital models
are the most accurate for long-term use. Radio Shack
carries a small, pretty decent digital hygrometer that
costs about $25 or $30. It can be mounted in the room
where you store your guitar, or, better yet, in a central
location inside the guitar case, preferably Velcro’d to
the outside of the accessories compartment (facing
the heel of the guitar).