Taylor 200 Series 210 Supplementary Manual

T

A Y L O R

T

E C H

S

H E E T

USING A GUITAR HUMIDIFIER

Q

uality acoustic guitars are

made from solid wood, and

Taylor guitars are built in a

controlled environment where the rela-

tive humidity is 47 percent. It is essen-

tial to maintain a proper moisture level

to prevent adverse effects such as bad

string action and buzzing, protruding

fret ends, cracking, top-sinking (see

illustration at right), and other damage

to your instrument. As always, your

guitar case provides essential protec-

tion from drying and other environ-

mental effects, but in areas prone to

severe dryness and/or cold, (such as

heated homes), you MUST use a gui-

tar-humidifying device.

There are several stringed-instru-

ment humidifiers on the market that

are specifically designed to maintain or

restore the proper moisture level.

These include the clay-filled type

(about the size of a small film canister);

the vinyl soundhole-cover type; and

the long, “rubber-tube” type, which is

what we recommend and sell.

Of the tube types (Dampit,

Humitron, etc.), we recommend the

larger one, which is approximately one

foot in length and 3/4 of an inch in

diameter (see illustration, right). The

“film canister”-type humidifier releases

moisture in discreet amounts, and only

works well in areas of minimal dryness.

The vinyl soundhole-cover types work

well enough, although they have a ten-

dency to trap the majority of the mois-

ture in the body, not releasing enough

into the case to benefit the neck.

The tube humidifier often comes

with a plastic soundhole cover contain-

ing a humidity gauge. To make this

humidifier more “user-friendly,” discard

the plastic cover and use only the tube

itself. Like most humidifiers,

the tube type is basically an

encased sponge. Hold the

tube under cool tap water

until the sponge inside is sat-

urated. Then, wring out the last

drop of excess water, and dry off

the outside of the tube. This is

important, because water drippings

can damage your instrument.

Suspend the tube inside

the guitar body by wedging

it between the G and D

strings, so that the plastic cap

prevents it from falling into

the guitar (see illustration).

This enables the moisture in

the tube to humidify the

body, the neck, and the case. 

H

OW

O

FTEN

S

HOULD

I 

R

E

-

WET THE

H

UMIDIFIER

? 

That depends on the

season and the region in

which you live. As a general

rule:

• In areas of the country that

are very dry, or where cold

winters are the norm, or

where the relative humidity

consistently remains in the

20 to 35 percent range, re-

wet your humidifier every

five to seven days. [Homes

with wood-burning heaters

frequently have extremely

dry interiors.]

• If your humidity is consis-

tently 20 percent or lower,

which often is the case in

homes with wood-burning

heaters, refer to “A Word to

the Wise.”

1980 G

ILLESPIE

W

AY

• E

L

C

AJON

, CA 92020-1096 • C

USTOMER

S

ERVICE

(619) 258-6957 • F

AX

(619) 258-3797

USING A GUITAR HUMIDIFIER

Copyright 1994 Taylor Guitars All Rights Reserved

Dips

Raised

Smooth Arch

Normal

Bridge raises; action high and hard to play

Bridge sinks down; low action causing strings to buzz

Bridge in correct position; action proper

Dry 

Wet