#1 Reason for Luthier Repairs?

Kindness · #1 01-18-2010, 07:34 AM

The luthier here gets a ton of repair work and the number one reason. Customers not humidifying their guitars. They also do restoration work on old guitars, but I found it very interesting, particularly here in dry Arizona, that folks would not humidify their guitar. Case in point, when I picked up my Zoom H2 the other day, the salesman, who owns 10 guitars, does not humidify any of his guitars.

I find this so hard to believe, since a simply sponge with a plastic bag is a simple inexpensive way to humidify. And then Oasis and Arion make it even easier...

Tafmutt · #2 01-18-2010, 07:59 AM

Same thing here in NM...dry x 3! My guitar tech tells me the same thing - cracking due to dryness is a huge problem here if you don't humidify.

TM

Kent Chasson · #3 01-18-2010, 10:06 AM

Most of the repairs I see are self-inflicted from guitars getting knocked over and such. (worst was one that fell off a wall).

We are in a good climate for guitars here in the pacific northwest so not a ton of humidity related stuff although one of my older guitars came back with mile-high action once. I thought I was going to have to do my first warranty neck reset until I found out the owner had been living on his boat with it. Dried it out and it was fine.

I do get a fair number of factory guitars with bridges lifting where there is no sign of mistreatment.

patrick p · #4 09-01-2010, 12:54 PM

I have a 71 Martin D-18 that has a warpped neck. How can it be fixed?

Glennwillow · #5 09-01-2010, 12:59 PM

Hi Lisa,

I believe it! Proper humidifcation is a big deal, particularly in Arizona.

- Glenn

jseth · #6 09-01-2010, 01:05 PM

Funny, I was going to answer "IGNORANCE"... which is indicated by not humidifying a guitar in the desert areas, I believe...

I don't think any player PURPOSEFULLY does anything to hurt their guitars - a lot of folks just don't know any better, or don't find out until they're getting it fixed (and the luthier/tech tells them!)...

harmonics101 · #7 09-01-2010, 01:23 PM

Eastern Washington is pretty dry. I keep Oasis in the sound hole and a clay Herco around the neck area.

Most importantly, I keep all guitars cased when not being played.

I don't freak out though if I miss refilling the Oasis once in awhile.

Guitars do sound good in a dry climate - before they explode

Harmonics101

handers · #8 09-01-2010, 01:38 PM

Here's one prob I don't have in New Orleans. I actually keep my house climte controlled to keep rel humidity somewhat in check. My House runs a stable 45% RH which is still pretty high but it really the changes that cause the probs.

hans

SteveS · #9 09-01-2010, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrick p

I have a 71 Martin D-18 that has a warpped neck. How can it be fixed?

Yes! Take it to a good repair guy.

mackdaddie · #10 09-01-2010, 01:47 PM

Live in SE Utah, dry as hell. Had a former guitar shop owner and another wonderful acoustic player tell me to wet a sponge, wring it out, put it in a plastic baggie, punch a few holes in baggie, and put the bag in the pick box.

Anyone see a problem with this?

kente777 · #11 09-01-2010, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mackdaddie

Live in SE Utah, dry as hell. Had a former guitar shop owner and another wonderful acoustic player tell me to wet a sponge, wring it out, put it in a plastic baggie, punch a few holes in baggie, and put the bag in the pick box.

Anyone see a problem with this?

Nothing, except I would put it actually in the soundhole. Make sure it is not dripping though. You might even want to put one in the case where the headstock rests.

kente777 · #12 09-01-2010, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by handers

Here's one prob I don't have in New Orleans. I actually keep my house climte controlled to keep rel humidity somewhat in check. My House runs a stable 45% RH which is still pretty high but it really the changes that cause the probs.

hans

45% is fine. I think anywhere from 45-55 percent is a very good range.

devellis · #13 09-01-2010, 02:40 PM

People who are responsible for the well-being of musical instruments in museum collections have said more than once that 35%-55% is fine and that 45% is ideal.

I have actually avoided buying instruments from desert areas for fear that the shift in climate from, say, Arizona to North Carolina would stress the wood. In retrospect, that may have been a bit extreme and I did get a mandolin made in New Mexico that worked out just fine. But I do worry about an instrument being build in one extreme climate and then residing in a place where the prevailing humidity is very different. I'd worry even more if I lived in the desert and the instrument was built in a high-humidity locale.

bluesbassdad · #14 09-01-2010, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by itself

The luthier here gets a ton of repair work and the number one reason. Customers not humidifying their guitars. They also do restoration work on old guitars, but I found it very interesting, particularly here in dry Arizona, that folks would not humidify their guitar. Case in point, when I picked up my Zoom H2 the other day, the salesman, who owns 10 guitars, does not humidify any of his guitars.

I find this so hard to believe, since a simply sponge with a plastic bag is a simple inexpensive way to humidify. And then Oasis and Arion make it even easier...

After living in CA for 31 years it came as a shock to me when the bridge on my Seagull SM-6 started to lift (or rather, the top sank away from it) a few months after we moved to central AZ.

I suppose my 14 page checklist for the move should have had an item "Buy humidifier for acoustic guitar", but I didn't think of it. Of course if I'd been an AGF member then, then I would have had no excuse.

Wade Hampton · #15 09-01-2010, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrick p

I have a 71 Martin D-18 that has a warpped neck. How can it be fixed?

Well, I can't give you the precise procedure, since I'm not a guitar repairman, but while it's definitely a major repair it's still within the skill set of anyone with a Martin Authorized Repair Center certification.

If you're the original owner it should be covered under warranty. Even if you bought it used, you should get it fixed. It'll cost you a few hundred dollars if you do have to pay, but how much does it cost to have a Martin guitar that's not really playable right now laying around taking up space?

I say get it fixed and start enjoying that guitar again.

Hope this helps.

Wade Hampton Miller