Generally, humidity present in the air can be a cause of various health related problems and discomfort for us. If it is too high in the air, then it may cause a lot of discomfort, with the sticky precipitation accumulating all over our body. While, in cases when the humidity gets really low, our skin become’ very dry and often it causes cracks, accompanied by dry sinuses and pain. But what in reality is this humidity? Well it’s a simple term; the air in our environment contains some amount of water in it, which is known as humidity. The amount of humidity in the air around us is denoted in terms of percentage. The condition when the humidity level of air reaches 100%, it means that the air has reached its saturation point and is currently retaining maximum water it possibly can.
While humidity can cause discomfort and conditions in human beings, it can also cause damage to some of our very costly equipment, such as furniture, music instruments, electronic equipment, etc. Likewise in the case of guitars, to prevent any humidity related effects, a humidifier is quintessential equipment. As whenever the humidity level in the air increases, the wood of a guitar often swells up and result in extra stretching of the strings. Furthermore, the glue between the joints, tend to get weaken, as well. Contrarily, when the humidity level drops, cracks start to appear in the guitar’s wooden body and various structure deformation related problems can occur, too. Henceforth, such problems give rise to an important need to use a guitar specific humidifier, that can help your device from any negative effects of humidity.
To help you select the best humidifier for your guitar, we have compiled a list of the best available humidifiers in the market, so that you can go ahead and shop as per your specific requirements.
1. Moozikpro Acoustic Guitar Humidifier
The Moozikpro Acoustic Guitar Humidifier is a very potent device that shields your guitar from various humidity related effects, such as – cracking, stretching, shrinking and warping in both the dry and moist conditions. Furthermore, the humidifier is able to release moisture at regular intervals, to improve the life and quality of your instrument.To use this humidifier, you only need to moisten the sponge and keep it suspended between your guitar’s strings. Other than that, you would need to add approximately two tea-spoons of distilled water in it, after 15 to 30 days, in accordance with your room temperature and humidity level. If in the case, the sponge gets completely dry, you can remove it and soak it in the distilled water for a while, and reinstall it in your guitar easily.
By using its anti-drip technology, this humidifier never needs to touch the surface of your guitar and never creates any sort of leakage or mess. Besides the fact that it is a completely low on maintenance device, the humidifier also comes with a lifetime warranty, so that you can always remain assured of its performance and capabilities, forever.
2. Boveda 2-Way Humidity Control for Guitars
Boveda 2–way humidity control formula is a unique way of saving your precious music instrument from humidity related problems. This formula is available in 20 pack refills, which protect your guitar from effects such as – cracking and warping of wood, shrinking of strings, etc. caused by low and high humidity conditions.Furthermore, the Boveda 2-way humidity control is able to maintain a constant level of 45-50% humidity within your guitar, thus ensuring optimum conditions for the long life of your device. Unlike the usual guitar humidifiers, Boveda 2-way humidity control saves you from hectic refilling of sponges and discs. In addition to that, the 2-way humidity control formula ensures that the humidity is regulated as per environmental conditions. As in the case of other humidifiers in the market, which are usually potent only in the dry conditions, the Boveda Humidity Control has a 2-way control mechanism that works equally well in both high humid or completely dry conditions. On the other hand, the Boveda 2-way formula is specifically designed and prepared from highly specialized salt solutions. Additional to these salt solutions, the formula also contains a reverse osmosis membrane, which allows seamless diffusion of water into the air.
All in all, the Boveda 2-way humidity control is one of the best available solutions, for your beloved guitar from humidity related problems.
3. Oasis OH-5+ Humidifier Combo
Oasis OH-5 + instrument humidifier is another top solution for your guitar and other wooden musical instruments to keep away any humidity related problems. Specially designed from an exquisite fabric, the Oasis Guitar Humidifier filters the water from the water vapor very effectively, and thus provides great humidity inside the music instrument. Whereas, the Humigel crystals present in it are able to release water whenever necessary and their transparent nature allows you to see whenever the humidifier requires a refill. Furthermore, the Oasis OH-5+ humidifier suspends down from guitar strings by a polyurethane bar, which ensures that the body of the humidifier would not have to touch surface of the guitar, to avoid any scratches or damage to the surface at all.Additionally, to prevent any sort of leakage in the device, the humidifier comes with a double layer leak protection that ensures no leakage even in the case of overfilling.
While, the OH-5 + Humidifier combo comes with a hygrometer as well. So that, you can measure the humidity level, anytime you require. This hygrometer accurately determines the humidity level of the environment, along with low and high temperature levels as well. Thus, serving the dual purpose of saving your device from humidity related problems and continuously monitoring the varying rates of humidity, consecutively. Moreover, its compact design and size, allows it to be easily installed in your guitar without a hassle.
4. Music Nomad The Humitar – Acoustic Guitar Sound hole Humidifier
Your acoustic instrument always needs a special care. As the wood of the device can often suffer from various environmental conditions, while varying humidity conditions can damage the wood of the device in various different ways. To troubleshoot your woes, Music Nomad has developed a very low maintenance humidifier, known as the Humitar.The Humitar, is a very potent piece of equipment which slowly releases moisture inside your device, to keep it free from any humidity related problems. Furthermore, the Humid-I-Bar sponge incorporated with the package, is the best available in its segment and is able to hold a great amount of water as compared to its counterparts in the market. This means you wouldn’t have to be worried about frequent refilling or soaking the sponge. Even though when you would need to moisten the sponge, the great ease while doing it is an icing on the cake! As you just need to open the top of the Humitar and touch to feel if the sponge is moist enough or not. If it is dry, you can easily take out the sponge and soak it for a while in distilled water and put it back again. Being of the reusable nature, it can be used for a longer period of time. Such flexibility and performance by the Humitar, helps you to take good care of your guitar without any hectic process.
5. Planet Waves Humidipak Automatic Humidity Control System
Further in our list, is the Planet Waves Humidipak Automatic Humidity Control System for your Guitar. This unique piece of equipment is totally maintenance free and a very potent solution as a humidifier for your guitar. Unlike other humidifiers for guitars available in the market, this device allows you to add and remove moisture on demand. Besides that, you wouldn’t need to set any manual adjustments in accordance with the changing weather and geographical conditions as well, and this system would constantly keep your instrument at a humidity level of 40-50%. This ensures that, no cracking, swelling or shrinking of the wood can occur.Regarding the package – when you purchase a kit of Humidipak Automatic Humidity Control System, you would get – 3 Humidipak units, along with a soft mesh pouch, that saves your device from any scratches. Further talking about it usage and effectiveness, the 3 packets can easily last for at least 3 months. Though, it highly depends upon the environmental conditions, such as geography, temperature, etc. to which your instrument is exposed to. Hence, at times the packets may last even longer up to a year as well.
As in dry conditions, the Humidipak system would dispense at a faster rate, while on the other hand, during highly humid conditions, the packs would last for a drastically longer times.
6. Kyser Lifeguard Humidifier for Acoustic Guitars
Kyser Lifeguard Humidifier is one of the best available devices for steel string guitars. It is smart, inexpensive and very potent equipment that saves your guitar from all the humidity related side-effects. Further, it performs effortlessly by regulating the optimum level of humidity inside your guitar. Additionally, the handling and maintenance of this humidifier is very easy for all. You just need to soak it a little in water for a while, get rid of the extra water by shaking it, and fit it inside your musical instrument, while storing it in dry conditions. After that, you would only need to check the humidifier at times and make sure that its sponge is moist enough. Also, the compact design and size of this humidifier allows it to easily slide even into the 3 3/4 holes without any hassle. And it is made up of very soft rubber like plastic that fits very comfortably inside your guitar, without causing any kinds of scratches or harm to your instrument’s surface.Regarding its performance, it efficiently absorbs extra moisture present in the air, during damp conditions. On the other hand, it supplies the optimum level of humidity in the dry conditions as well. Apart from this, the humidifier also provides a uniform distribution of humidity, all across the body of your guitar.
Conclusion
Out of the numerous guitar humidifiers available in market, we have compiled a list of the six best in terms of affordability, performance, ease of use and durability. While some of the humidifiers are only potent in dry conditions, on the other hand there are many devices that provide great effectiveness in the both dry and humid conditions, simultaneously.While selecting a humidifier, you must take note of the geographic and weather conditions of your place. This helps in selecting the best humidifier in accordance to its performance capabilities, corresponding to your place.
Another important aspect while using a guitar humidifier is to ensure that the surface of your guitar should not directly come in contact with the humidifier, to prevent any scratches and damage. Usually, good humidifiers are suspended inside the guitar’s body, while some humidifiers come in very soft pouches that do no harm to your music instrument’s finishing.