In Case (De)Humidifiers for Archtops

[Paulie2]

Any one using them? Any recommendations, do's/don'ts, etc?

I was leaning towards these? Obviously cant hang from the strings on my carved archtops though....


D'Addario Humidipak Maintain Automatic Humidity Control System | Sweetwater

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

Any one using them? Any recommendations, do's/don'ts, etc?

I was leaning towards these? Obviously cant hang from the strings on my carved archtops though....


D'Addario Humidipak Maintain Automatic Humidity Control System | Sweetwater

I’ve used them for years - they work very well. I hang one in an F hole and lay one in the case in front of the heel. Check them weekly - the packs are squoodgy when the gel inside is fully hydrated. They get firmer as they disperse their water content, so it’s easy to tell when they need replacement. You can feel granules and stiffness in the gel.

I rehydrate the packs in a covered Tupperware tub with an open container of water in one corner. You do not need to keep buying new ones - a week in a sealed container with a source of moisture makes them as good as new. I prop up one side of the container so condensation inside the top runs back over the water dish. Otherwise, it soaks the pouch paper (which dries out if you leave it sitting on a shelf for a few days - do not stick a moist pouch in your guitar or case).

[JSanta]

I've also been using the D'Addario packs for years and I've been very happy with them. I never thought of being able to rehyrdate them, great idea nevershouldhavesoldit!

[bmw2002]

I’ve been using the Oasis in-case humidifier for my Campellone archtop. It attaches to the inside of the case rather than extend into the f-hole. (I believe it’s the OH-6 model.) Seems to work well and it’s fairly easy to monitor its moisture reserve and refill as necessary. However, the Oasis only adds humidity -- unlike the Humidipak system, which also apparently reduces it.

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

However, the Oasis only adds humidity -- unlike the Humidipak system, which also apparently reduces it.

That’s one major advantage of the system - it will not overhydrate a guitar. It keeps the RH in the range of about 40-45%. But it can only take in a finite amount. So you have to use a humidity indicator in the case if your RH is high, keep a few packs at about 30%, and swap them in when the inside of the case with the guitar in it hits 50-55% or so. I’ve never had that problem from ambient humidity. But I know of a few guitars that got overhydrated from sponge-based humidifiers.

[Paulie2]

That’s one major advantage of the system - it will not overhydrate a guitar. It keeps the RH in the range of about 40-45%. But it can only take in a finite amount. So you have to use a humidity indicator in the case if your RH is high, keep a few packs at about 30%, and swap them in when the inside of the case with the guitar in it hits 50-55% or so. I’ve never had that problem from ambient humidity. But I know of a few guitars that got overhydrated from sponge-based humidifiers.

That's what drew me to them, as I live somewhere with some brutal humidity in spring summer, but can get quite dry in winter. I went ahead and pulled the trigger on a couple sets, should be here next week.

[marcwhy]

Interesting, @nevershould -- didn't know about the re-hydration technique!

I've been using a similar system from Boveda, and it's been working well!

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

Interesting, @nevershould -- didn't know about the re-hydration technique!

I've been using a similar system from Boveda, and it's been working well!

Boveda makes them for D’A - I’m pretty sure they’re the same packets in both systems.

[marcwhy]

Boveda makes them for D’A - I’m pretty sure they’re the same packets in both systems.

[Kinda like WGS makes speakers for Jupiter!]

OK, so, the 12-pak replacements (if you don't do the "re-hydration" technique!) on Amazon is $48 for the Boveda, and $61 for D'Addario!

[bmw2002]

Guitar Center is having a 20% off sale on all D’Addario items, which appears to include humidipak. Sale is limited to August 2!st and 28th (why I only got the email today is a mystery). Just FYI.