Author Topic: Seasonal adjustments (Read 7050 times)

rinse_master · « **on:** June 23, 2005, 12:19:07 PM »

I know in other countries, especially ones with more variable climates you have to set your guitar up for winter and summer, so to speak (wood expanding and contracting etc.)

I live in Dorset in the South of the UK and my guitar room is in the spare bedroom which is a converted loft. It only has one small window and as it is at the top of the house it gets rather hot in there.

Am I gonna need to constantly re-setup my guitars all the time? or should I put them somewhere else (not really an option, but neither is buying more guitars, but that's still gonna happen :lol: )

HJM · « **Reply #1 on:** June 23, 2005, 12:54:52 PM »

Quote from: rinse_master

I know in other countries, especially ones with more variable climates you have to set your guitar up for winter and summer, so to speak (wood expanding and contracting etc.)

I live in Dorset in the South of the UK and my guitar room is in the spare bedroom which is a converted loft. It only has one small window and as it is at the top of the house it gets rather hot in there.

Am I gonna need to constantly re-setup my guitars all the time? or should I put them somewhere else (not really an option, but neither is buying more guitars, but that's still gonna happen :lol: )

This year I've had the loft converted and my studio is now in there, Tim will tell you it gets a little warm...(and I'm further North) So far I've not noticed any problems, but I'm watching - Feline or R2/e, any thoughts??

YT · « **Reply #2 on:** June 23, 2005, 02:45:29 PM »

I wouldn't have thought it would be too bad... in terms of it causing any damage at least.

I thought it was mainly only when your going from one extreme to the other in quite a short space of time that it would make a noticeable difference. Say from a cold environment outside into a warm room. In which case you should try and let the guitar warm up slowly by keeping it in its case for so long etc.

I'd imagine if they lived in a warm room most of the day then it would be a more gradual time for the guitar to get used to the environment therefore minimum amount of expansion etc. It may need slight adjustements but I wouldn't think anything major.

I'm probably completely wrong though!!! :lol:

HJM · « **Reply #3 on:** June 23, 2005, 03:16:14 PM »

That's what I recon, might be a bigger problem with acoustics though!

Ratrod · « **Reply #4 on:** June 23, 2005, 04:06:20 PM »

In theory clamatic changes should affect the guitar. temperature, humidity, ai pressure etc. makes wood work and metal parts shrink or expand. I never had any problems. The changes are minute. Usually a retune will do.

As a general rule. keep the guitar in an environment you would feel comfortable in.

HJM · « **Reply #5 on:** June 23, 2005, 09:08:58 PM »

Quote from: Ratrod

As a general rule. keep the guitar in an environment you would feel comfortable in.

On the beach or in the pub then... :lol:

_tom_ · « **Reply #6 on:** June 23, 2005, 09:25:59 PM »

hmm I noticed that the tuning on my lp always seems to be flat over the past few days, I guess the heat affects this somewhat.

Sean · « **Reply #7 on:** June 24, 2005, 01:16:12 AM »

I have to adjust the truss on my acoustic twice a year (I don't really mind, I like tooling around). My electric is a strat with a double expanding truss rod and I just got it. Im pretty sure it should'nt move but everything is just spectulation in theory.

rinse_master · « **Reply #8 on:** June 24, 2005, 09:52:52 AM »

Thanks for your replies everyone, I'm gonna have to keep an eye on them and see what goes on. :?

The best ones are hidden away in cases, so they should be fine.

rinse_master · « **Reply #9 on:** December 21, 2005, 12:12:40 PM »

Bit of an old thread but...

In the original post I was complaining about the heat, now it's winter and the loft gets very cold (not as cold as outside, but probably not too far off), any thoughts on that messing with my guitars?

Searcher · « **Reply #10 on:** December 21, 2005, 09:02:49 PM »

The cold probably won't bother the guitars if there is sufficient humidity. I think (though I haven't looked it up) that guitars like a humidity of about 65% or so. When it gets too dry they can warp.

I've to moved different continents more than once and the change in humidity (especially a drop) has been a major pain.

Oh, and how cold are you talking about? It gets to -45C (almost -50F) where I live.

HJM · « **Reply #11 on:** December 21, 2005, 09:36:11 PM »

That is cold.....

Bird · « **Reply #12 on:** December 21, 2005, 09:54:13 PM »

Quote from: Searcher

The cold probably won't bother the guitars if there is sufficient humidity. I think (though I haven't looked it up) that guitars like a humidity of about 65% or so. When it gets too dry they can warp.

I've to moved different continents more than once and the change in humidity (especially a drop) has been a major pain.

Oh, and how cold are you talking about? It gets to -45C (almost -50F) where I live.

Same here, with the wind here in Winnipeg it can get just below -50 C the odd time during the winter, and into the high 30's in summer. A guitar humidifier for your acoustic case is a good idea. Other than that I've never had any problems with my guitars.