The owner of my #2 emailed me two nights ago and...

[enalnitram]

he said he's having an issue with the guitar. he lives in Eastern Kentucky. http://www.usairnet.com/weather/maps/cu ... -humidity/

he said he wondered if the neck is moving or is loose already, after having it a little less than a year. he says the action is high, not much, but just enough to make it hard to play.

whew!

well, i got to thinking about this, after lying awake wondering about how bad I must suck. so I called him the next day.

"Is it hot down there?"

"Yes."

"Has it been really humid?"

"Yes."

"Do you have A/C?"

"No."

Have you been keeping it in the case?"

"No."

I assumed that he would be a knowledgeable owner, as he owns several guitars, some old and some new. but it occurs to me now that he has never seen a guitar move as much as this one has, because I built it lighter than a newer Martin. I recall Proulx ships his instruments with two saddles, one for winter and one for summer. This is why.

[deadedith]

That is interesting, Martin. Do you think you will ship with two saddles from now on?

[MuddyFox]

he said he's having an issue with the guitar. he lives in Eastern Kentucky. http://www.usairnet.com/weather/maps/cu ... -humidity/

I live quite a bit away from KY yet this could easily be a humidity map of my town for the last few days...

Crap.

EDIT: I really should have investigated this sooner...
Do you guys think I'll be alright if I build in the 50s (and case humidify during heating season)? It seems I may never see the 40s outside and my indoor humidity is usually 30-40 (winter) and 60-70 (summer)...

[kencierp]

I would not jump to conclusions here -- it could very well be a simple truss rod adjustment "action is slightly high" -- right?

Muddy don't over think the humidity issue -- if the guitar is for your use and will be staying/store in the same climate as it is built its not a real big deal. Make sure you do your glue ups especially bracing when the humidity is lowest in your location. Problems occur when a guitar is built in high humidity and is shipped off to an area that is drastically lower -- cracks from the wood shrinking will happen. Normal humidity changes will change the action on all acoustic guitars --- tweaking for playability is part of the challenge.

[MuddyFox]

You're right, Ken... I'll just hope for a few dry days during summer (there are bound to be a few) and do my glue-up then. The guitar is extremely unlikely to leave the town.

[Ben-Had]

"I recall Proulx ships his instruments with two saddles, one for winter and one for summer."

That's what I do for that exact reason and tell the customer why.

[kencierp]

So -- is the variance between the two saddles .002 or .008 or .010 or .070 or what ??

Sorry but I am skeptical and not getting this idea -- how could you possibly know what is going to work well? Especially if its a newly built instrument.

[Ben-Had]

So -- is the variance between the two saddles .002 or .008 or .010 or .070 or what ??

Sorry but I am skeptical and not getting this idea -- how could you possibly know what is going to work well? Especially if its a newly built instrument.

In short, I make the second saddle 2/32 taller (which of course gives it 2/64 at the 12th) because around here in the winter down goes the top with the humidity if they don't properly humidify it. This keeps it in a "decent" range for play. Hence, a "summer" saddle and a "winter" saddle. And I go into great lengths explaining humidity control but most don't listen. I realize it doesn't take into account ALL the things that could change, it's just meant as a little convenience bonus that has been well received.

[MuddyFox]

You're right, Ken... I'll just hope for a few dry days during summer (there are bound to be a few) and do my glue-up then. The guitar is extremely unlikely to leave the town.

Well, this sort of weather cannot be good for wood no matter what :) 40-100%, every day...

[Tarhead]

You're right, Ken... I'll just hope for a few dry days during summer (there are bound to be a few) and do my glue-up then. The guitar is extremely unlikely to leave the town.

Well, this sort of weather cannot be good for wood no matter what :) 40-100%, every day...

You can have 40% RH in the heat of the day, drop 20-30 degrees f at night and have the RH increase dramatically with exact same Dewpoint (Absolute Humidity). Remember...RH is "relative" to temperature. If your temperature is stable +/-5 degrees (as in a house), RH is stable. Don't store your project outside and you'll be OK.