The Experts Agree, You're Destroying Your Acoustic Guitar | Debunking Myths at NAMM 2024

Join us as we shatter the most enduring myths surrounding acoustic guitars. We asked a team of experts, including renowned luthiers Dana Bourgeois and Richard Hoover, to unveil the truth behind common misconceptions.

From the myth that you don't need to humidify your prized instrument, to "Do guitars 'open up'?" We're here to set the record straight.

We're also shining a light on sustainability, a cornerstone of beloved brands like Martin, Santa Cruz, Bedell/Breedlove, and Collings Guitars. Discover their unwavering commitment to crafting instruments with an eye toward the future.

At The Acoustic Shoppe, we're not just about selling guitars, but about sharing knowledge and passion. Our experts are here to guide you through the acoustic world.

So whether you're a seasoned strummer or just starting, let's demystify the myths and celebrate the craftsmanship. The Acoustic Shoppe - where expertise meets your musical journey.

#theNAMMshow #NAMMShow #bourgeoisguitars #richardhoover #santacruzguitars #bourgeois #furch #furchguitars #danabourgeois #collingsguitars #martinguitars

[ChristensenErik]

"Should you humidify" seems like the not quite the precise question. The right questions might be: what is the ideal humidity range to keep my guitar at? What happens if I go above that range? What happens if I go below it? Which is worse? I like to keep my guitar out of the case so that I'll play it, so ideally there is an overlap (or compromise) between what is best for the guitar and what is a comfortable humidity for my living room.

[jed]

Great information! I moved to the Sonoran Desert in 2022, where humidity is often under 10%. So, bought carbon fiber RainSong 6 & 12 string jumbos, that I leave on stands…. I love the sound and the fact that each wooden guitar has it’s own “personality”, but the zero maintenance graphite guitars works for me.

[johnwashburn]

I think I agree with pretty much all of this, especially, monitor your humidity and play your guitar to break it in.

[firecrackerheart]

BEST TAS video to date. y'all are constantly improving upon your content. much love from taos, new mexico!

[mandohat]

Oh my gosh to have that much experience in one place. So great

[dalesearcy]

Great interviews and thoughts/opinions.
What I found interesting is that all of the people were on the same page with most of their answers.
The only real exception was the topic of relicing.

[tomf]

I have owned and played my D-18 for 51 years. About 10 years ago, the bridge started pulling off. The top had slightly warped. I was told it was not worth fixing. My son took it to the Martin factory in Nazareth, PA. They kept it for several months. Most of that time it was kept in a humidity chamber. They re-attached the bridge, did a neck reset, and re-fretted. Now, I keep a humidity noodle in it with a sound hole cover. I play 5-10 hours a week. It’s never sounded or played better as a result.

[turrafirmaguitarchannel]

This issue is dear to my heart. I have done videos on it. In Sydney Australia we need to dehumidify. In any case that range 45 to 55% humidity is optimum.

[sarasings]

I have too many guitars and violins and mandolins, and bouzoukis to humidify individually in cases, so I created a music room that I humidify with a couple of sunbeam warm mist humidifiers with control boxes. It requires a little daily maintenance, but is worth the effort. I live in New England so I do the reverse in the summer with a dehumidifier.

[michaelmullen]

IMHO, Your best program to date! THANK YOU!!!!

[darrenmurray]

Excellent information …. Most important thing is to humidify that guitar. I have learned my lesson in the past with some tops splitting on a really nice Ovation.

[AlexA]

Excellent 👍Now bring on the Mando Myths! 🤔😮🤔

[quintas]

I'm fine with relicing as long as it's done while playing the guitar.

[davidbrock]

Bought my acoustic in California year 2000. Never humidified with no issues. Moved to Colorado front range 2018, 2020 the top was cracked and because of unique design of bracing and bridge/saddle it was unrepairable. I humidify my new guitar.

[ratwynd]

Mine all live on hooks in a house that runs 45-75 % (mostly 45-55 with rare excursions) humidity in my room depending on season (deep south near ocean). Once acclimated to my house I set them up and they rarely need even minor adjustment. Been here for 5 years and every one seems to be fairly stable. Everything from cheap to expensive stays pretty good. My J50 I have had for 53 years and no cracking or even neck reset needed, but has had a refret from playing a long time. Truss rod only adjusted twice since new.

[JillandKevin]

I've owned MANY guitars that were from the 30's, 40's, and 50's that were NEVER humidified, and had zero problems. Of course, they were likely not kept in the desert, or in severe cold for long periods of time. HOWEVER, I've seen lots of guitars badly damaged by heat. Letting a guitar get hot is is the very worst thing one can do to it.
My wife and I are professional musicians, and are on the road much of the time, and in the Pacific Northwest as a home base.
As we live in our Travel Trailer, we don't have the luxury of keeping our (handmade, very expensive) guitars in conditioned areas, or even in a house for that matter.
I built and installed an insulated vault in our truck (in a camper shell, with lots of locks), and our guitars have held up great over the seven years we've been on the road. I think the most important thing is letting them acclimate when bringing them to a warmer or colder venue. Yes, finish checking (lacquer) is a little accelerated by temperature differences, but the wood itself shows no signs of distress. The vault, being insulated, keeps the instruments temperatures from changing too rapidly.
We wouldn't even be able to tour at all if we had to worry about keeping constant humidity!
As far as "opening up", they "close down" as well if not played! I have played very old D'Angelicos, early Gibson L-5's & Super 400's and New York Epiphones, among others, that quite noticeably came to life within even a half hour of playing!! It's mind blowing other them come to life!!

[charliewelch]

I live in FL we have no problem with humidity. I have my acoustics sitting around house. Some are 18 years l
Old . No problems

[jameslifetimelearner]

Humidipacks leak. Do you have an air tight case? It’s the Changes in temp and humidity that age the finish, if you’re in the new retail business of course preserve the factory environment.

[JohnA]

I can only speak from my own experience with my 1956 martin D18. I keep all my guitars in a room at 45% humidity. The Martin will tell me very quickly if it is not getting enough humidity. It starts fretting out and buzzing if it gets too low. Same humidity for summer. I don't like too much humidity either. My classical gets less responsive with too much humidity.

[robeggers]

humidify packs are worthless. Oh BTW I live in FL and run the AC 12 months of the year to keep humidity (relative humidity) down to 50%.