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Feel the Action
Only humidify when the guitar needs it - not all the time.
Swollen Radius*
Wet - Bridge lifts, high action makes it hard to play
*Exaggerated for clarity
Too much moisture can be equally damaging.
If you play regularly, keep your guitar out, and
it has been set up professionally - drop in the
humidifier when the action gets too low, and
remove it when that sweet action returns.
If you keep your guitar in a case, monitor the
humidity inside the sound hole.
What kind of musician are you?
The Player?
So you're a player huh?
Well you'll love that when the humidifier is
in your guitar you can still pick it up and play,
knowing it's still being humidified.
Simply slip the Vertigo humidifier into the
sound hole.
The monofilament acts as a barrier, only
allowing evaporated moisture to equilibrate
with the air inside your guitar, not directly
with the wood. This ensures the entire body
of your guitar is evenly humidified.
Only humidify your guitar when it needs it.
If your guitar was set up properly, you can
feel it when you play. When the action is too
low, and you feel fret buzz coming on, you will
know it is time to humidify, and when that
sweet action returns, it's time to stop!
Over time the humidifier will shrink back in
size, indicating that it is time to rehydrate.
To remove the humidifier, with the sound
hole facing up, raise the bottom of the guitar
allowing the humidifier to slide toward the
neck. Then, gently rotate the body around the
axis of the neck until the humidifier appears at
the sound hole.
Sinking Radius*
Dry - Bridge sinks, low action causes fret buzz
*Exaggerated for clarity
When it drops below 45% RH you will know it is
time to humidify, and when it exceeds 55% RH
you will know it's time to stop.
Don't be fooled by the outdoor humidity.
Relative Humidity is temperature dependent.
As such, heated indoor air is often much drier
than the air outside.
The Exhibitionist?
You like to show off those beautiful guitars,
don't you?
Don't fret (pun intended), you can leave the
humidifier inside your guitar or hang it between
the strings, if you're into that kind of thing.
We get it, if you're not quite ready to change a
habit of a lifetime, that's cool too. Either way,
it's up to you!
To hang it between the strings, separate the
middle strings at the center of the sound hole,
lower one end of the humidifier through the
gap, into the sound hole. Then, gently release
the strings, allowing them to grip the notches
on the edges of the end cap.
And there you have it, your beauties lined
up with only the tiny end cap showing.
Oh, and if you make a mistake and it falls into
the sound hole, it's easy to retrieve.
With the sound hole facing up, raise the
bottom of the guitar allowing the humidifier
to slide toward the neck. Then, gently rotate
the body around the axis of the neck until the
humidifier appears at the sound hole.
Over time the humidifier will shrink back in
size, indicating that it is time to rehydrate.
Correct Radius
Normal - Bridge position correct with ideal action
Remember, you're aiming to maintain sweet
action by regulating its moisture content through
humidification over long periods of time.
Humidify only when your guitar needs it, and
not all the time is best.
Daily fluctuations have little effect, so play,
enjoy,and love your guitar.
The Head Case?
You don't have a four inch hole in the middle
of your body, or for some reason you prefer to
keep your guitar in a case because that feels
right for you, but be warned.
Be warned, hardshell cases prevent the
exchange of moisture with air outside
the case. If you don't own a functional
hygrometer - it's time to get one!
Using a case with the Vertigo humidifier will
greatly reduce the time required to correct the
moisture content.
Excess moisture can be damaging.
If you choose to humidify like this,
do so at your own risk!
Place a hygrometer inside the guitar, as this
is where humidity levels are important. Close
the case, and monitor the humidity.
When the humidity inside the body drops
below 45% RH, place the humidifier inside
the case near the headstock, and when the
humidity approaches 55% RH, remove it.
Over time the humidifier will shrink back in
size, indicating that it is time to rehydrate.
Simply remove from the headstock area and
rehydrate. Make sure you don't over humidify!
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