It's Time to Talk Humidity Control

• Posted on 12 November 2026
• By TCM Repairs
• Posted in guitar, guitar maintenence, humidity control
• 0

Humidity control for guitars is hugely important year-round, but even more so in the winter, when conditions get double dry. Read on to find out how you can keep your instrument not only playing it's best, but also prevent cracks and splits.

Humidity Control & Your Guitar - Boring Topic, Crucial Effects

Hey folks — winter’s creeping in, and that means it’s time to talk about one of the most important (and easiest) things you can do for your guitar: keep it properly humidified. Once the heat kicks on around Suwanee and the surrounding areas, indoor relative humidity can plummet into the 20s or lower. Guitars are happiest right around 45-50% RH. When the air gets that dry, the wood shrinks, frets can start poking out, action changes, and in the worst cases you can end up with cracks or finish checking. Prevention is way cheaper (and less stressful) than repairs.

Case Study: Taylor 114ce // Cracked Top, Cupped Boards

Here we have a Taylor 114ce that shows what happens when relative humidity gets too low. This guitar was stored in a large auditorium during winter months, when temperatures plummeted to 19 degrees in the Atlanta area. That's already some pretty dry air outside. The situation was compounded by the heat being run in a large space - that means double dry air. You can see the light coming in under the ends of the straightedge. 

That shouldn't happen, at least, not that dramatically. The individual boards of the bookmatched top have dried out and curled into a concave shape, causing...

...a big crack to open up along the seam of the top boards. The bad news: it only took 4-5 weeks for this guitar to dry out to the point of cracking. The worse news: this type of issue is not covered under manufacturer warranty. It's up to you, the player, to keep an eye on your humidity.

The Solution: D'addario HumdiPak Humidity Control Kit

That’s why we’re big believers in the D’Addario Boveda two-way humidification system (also known as Humidipak). Unlike old-school sponge humidifiers that only add moisture and need constant refilling, these packs automatically release or absorb moisture as needed to hold a steady 45-50% relative humidity inside your case. No water, no drips, no mess, and no guesswork. Just slip the soft mesh pouches into the case (one under the headstock area and one in the soundhole for acoustics), close it up, and you’re good. The packets typically last two to six months depending on how dry it gets and how often the case is opened.

Whether you’ve got a solid-wood acoustic, a vintage electric, or anything in between, keeping the case closed with a proper two-way system is one of the best habits you can build for the heating season. We keep the D’Addario Boveda systems in stock right here at Town Center Music and on towncentermusic.com, along with replacement packs so you never have to scramble mid-winter. Stop by, shoot us a message, or swing through the site — we’re happy to walk you through the setup and make sure your guitar stays happy and healthy until spring. Let’s keep those instruments making music, not warping!