This can give one concern if you like to keep your uku out hanging on the wall like I do.
Ran across an article on Anglefire.com talking about keeping the right level of humidity in guitar stores. They pointed out these affects on instruments at decreasing humidity levels:
Typical effects of humidity changes on guitars.
@ 50% R.H. All guitars in store are in good condition.
@ 40% R.H. Some guitars (electric and acoustic) begin to get sharp fret ends.
@ 35% R.H. Tops begin to shrink, fret ends protrude more, brand new guitars (instruments just arriving in the store) do not show these symptoms since they have not been exposed. These guitars look and feel better than stock that is even a month old.
@ 30% R.H. A guitar or two may crack, but even those that are not cracked have lost about an ounce of water and the tops are sunken. Usually a higher saddle is necessary to make the guitar playable.
@25% R.H. More guitars crack. A lot of fret filing is needed. You begin to call the manufacturers to report that you have guitars with problems.
The article pointed out that if you take 40 degree outside air at 50% humidity and bring it inside and warm it to 70 degrees the relative humidity drops 15%. It also pointed out that an instrument store may pump 40 to 60 gallons of water a day into the air to keep the store at the proper level for the instruments.
This morning in Atlanta we 44 degree air and 58% humidity, and inside I was carrying 23% humidity at around 70 degrees. May have to reconsider keeping the herd out of their cases.
Then in comes the health squad to tell us that at 50% humidity we are creating a breeding ground from mold. Man and instruments may not be meant to cohabitate.
Ran across an article on Anglefire.com talking about keeping the right level of humidity in guitar stores. They pointed out these affects on instruments at decreasing humidity levels:
Typical effects of humidity changes on guitars.
@ 50% R.H. All guitars in store are in good condition.
@ 40% R.H. Some guitars (electric and acoustic) begin to get sharp fret ends.
@ 35% R.H. Tops begin to shrink, fret ends protrude more, brand new guitars (instruments just arriving in the store) do not show these symptoms since they have not been exposed. These guitars look and feel better than stock that is even a month old.
@ 30% R.H. A guitar or two may crack, but even those that are not cracked have lost about an ounce of water and the tops are sunken. Usually a higher saddle is necessary to make the guitar playable.
@25% R.H. More guitars crack. A lot of fret filing is needed. You begin to call the manufacturers to report that you have guitars with problems.
The article pointed out that if you take 40 degree outside air at 50% humidity and bring it inside and warm it to 70 degrees the relative humidity drops 15%. It also pointed out that an instrument store may pump 40 to 60 gallons of water a day into the air to keep the store at the proper level for the instruments.
This morning in Atlanta we 44 degree air and 58% humidity, and inside I was carrying 23% humidity at around 70 degrees. May have to reconsider keeping the herd out of their cases.
Then in comes the health squad to tell us that at 50% humidity we are creating a breeding ground from mold. Man and instruments may not be meant to cohabitate.
