Humidity again....

[Geri O]

I'm in a pretty old dwelling (paid for) where I use little space heaters around the house until I can get a mini-split system installed (if I do at all, not sure how long I'm gonna stay here).

I was concerned about drying the air out excessively in my office/studio, so I bought a humidity gauge today. Imagine my surprise when the humidity has creeped up to 65%. Right now, it's cool, not cold outside, but later when things get in the 40s or even 30s and I'm running more heat, I'll need to pay attention to the gauge, I reckon.

I understand that 65% isn't too bad for electric basses, but I guess I'll need a dehumidifier to work to keep it from getting higher now and in the summer? It doesn't feel bad with the air on in summer, but I also terribly mis-judged the humidity now!

I don't see to be having any trouble with the basses (Neck movement, fret sprout, etc). I tweak neck relief 2-3 times a year and the action height and intonation seldom ever needs attention (if I'll quit changing damn string gauges!! 'Nother story!).

Always open to advice and/or suggestions.

Thanx.

 

[scottfeldstein]

I never worry about having too much humidity. I worry about having too little. It'll dry out the fingerboard and produce fret sprout. The neck relief might go back and forth, but I don't worry that it's damaging anything. I just adjust the truss rod and don't think too hard about it.

 

[Lownote38]

I never worry about having too much humidity. I worry about having too little. It'll dry out the fingerboard and produce fret sprout. The neck relief might go back and forth, but I don't worry that it's damaging anything. I just adjust the truss rod and don't think too hard about it.

The last house I lived in was super humid, and I had 5 bass necks go south and twist, or develop bad ski ramps. It only happened in that house. In my xurrent home, everything is fine. Excessive humidity is the enemy where I live.

 

[Geri O]

Thanx, guys.

Since I got the humidity gauge, I see where the humidity is staying at 65% in my studio/office. That's been the norm in my house for several years, so I guess I'm okay. The basses I take out on the weekends or whenever see fairly varying conditions, and seen to be holding up fine.

 

[CallMeAl]

I've always heard 45-55% is ideal. Since you're close to that, and heading towards dry season I probably wouldn't plug in a dehumidifier myself.

For summer, we always dehumidify. More for mold and water damage reasons, but the instruments benefit as a result.

We did fire up the fireplace this weekend, and I immediately plugged in the humidifier too!

 

[RSBBass]

just an fyi, inexpensive humidity gauges are often very inaccurate and more useful for seeing trends in humidity that for the actual numbers which can be way off.

 

[Geri O]

just an fyi, inexpensive humidity gauges are often very inaccurate and more useful for seeing trends in humidity that for the actual numbers which can be way off.

Good call, and I was actually seeing that play out on my office today. Thanx.

The gauge is part of a cool round-face clock with a temp and humidity gauge on it. A whopping $22 at Home Depot. However, next week, I'm gonna seek out and get a quality accurate unit. With $....errr....a good bit of money sitting here in basses, an accurate humidity gauge will be worth it....