How Temperatures Affect Your Guitar
A very common question we get this time of year is ‘Will the warm air in my home make my guitar go out of tune or damage the neck?’
This is actually a fairly easy question to answer, however some clearer explanation is needed.
Neither cold nor warm ‘air’ will make your instrument de-tune or damage the neck or finish. It is actually the change and more importantly rate-of-change of temperature that can damage an instrument.
Guitars are usually built to absorb reasonably slow changes in climate (notice our note ‘slow changes’ in climate).
A rapid increase in temperature can destroy the finish of a guitar. During these cold weather months, bringing an instrument into your home after it has been subject to cold weather could result in damaging the finish if the instrument is immediately subject to a warm climate (such as a club, house of worship or your home).
Cold temperate, however is not inherently bad for your guitar as long as you warm it gradually.
Your guitar’s case is usually adequate to buffer any changes you will normally encounter. It is a good idea, however, when coming indoors after being outside in the winter to leave your guitar in its case until it has had a chance to become acclimated to the new climate. Depending on the length the instrument has been in the cold, this could take anywhere from 15 minutes to half an hour.
When the weather changes to warmer climates, remember this, the extreme heat, such as leaving your instrument in a car during the summer months can melt the glues and soften the finish of even the best guitars. Also a rapid decrease in humidity can crack the wood of an acoustic or electric guitar.
Looking for a great gift? A humidifier for your stringed friend will go a long way during this winter months ahead!
Click HERE to shop for Guitar Humidifiers.
