Does temperature affect humidity?
Completely and all the time. Humidity is relative to the capacity of the air to absorb moisture – in vapor form. Altitude also affects the capacity for air to absorb moisture, as well as locations that have low water levels in the land mass, such as deserts. Conversely cold air has less capacity to absorb water vapor which is why as you heat your home in winter, the air volume increases, but the Relative Humidity drops to dangerous levels for wooden instruments.
What if I don’t humidify?
If you don’t humidify, you may be playing a game of Russian roulette with your guitar. Changes in MC will affect the action (playability) of your guitar, the resonance of the soundboard, and can even result in structural failures such as failed glue joints,
as well as cracks in the body.
If I live in a humid climate
do I still need to humidify?
It really depends. Heating and air conditioning can significantly affect indoor humidity, so you cannot always rely on outdoor humidity as your guide. Ideally you should measure the humidity in the room your guitars live in before making a decision.
Should I humidify all the time?
Only humidify when your guitar needs it. If you humidify all the time you risk adding too much moisture to the wood, which can be as bad as being too dry. Think of it in the same way as heating your home. The furnace only runs when it needs
to, not all the time.
How should I humidify?
It depends.
If you keep your guitar out, play often,
and it was set up professionally, then we’d recommend using the action (playability) of your guitar as your guide of when to humidify and when to stop. Be warned that if you keep your guitar entombed in a case, you must use a fully functional hygrometer and monitor it daily to prevent over humidification.