Guitar String Care

In my research I have found a few things,  One there are different types of guitar string used for various sounds.  Second, they are completely different materials and all offer various price ranges.

One thing I am keenly aware of is how humidity can affect the sound and variation/life of the guitar string.  Having and maintaining the proper RH with guitars is like conditioning your hair.  Adding moisture will allow your hair to be softer, more pliable and easily managed.  Leave the conditioner out and you are left with dry, brittle and damaged strands! Gross.  When you add humidity and maintain it at a 45-55% level, you are able to get the most out of your strings be them expensive or bottom of the barrel.

Choose a system that will allow you to vary your control on the seasons.  See our systems and call us to see what your options will be.

http://www.habitatmonitor.com/applications/musical-instruments/guitars/

http://www.habitatmonitor.com/products-page/systems-p/humidification-p/humidifier_control_systems/


Understand the difference between steel and nylon strings. It's important to note that using strings meant for acoustic guitars on a classical guitar will ruin the neck. The tensions of the strings and guitars are different, so you can't use classical strings for an acoustic guitar either. Classical guitars usually have nylon strings. The bass strings look steel but the insides are made of nylon fibers. This article will discuss steel strings.

• If you play a lot (on stage), you may want to stick with 80/20 bronze. Phosphor strings tend to last longest.

Bronze strings are sometimes called 80/20 bronze because they are made with 80% copper and 20% zinc. They can be used for all styles of playing. They have a bright sound that fades away quickly after a few hours of playing. Bronze strings are the most commonly used strings.

Phosphor bronze strings are bronze strings with phosphor added. They can also be used for all styles. They have a warmer sound that lasts longer than bronze strings.

Silk and steel strings produce a soft, mellow sound. They produce less tension and come in lighter gauges so they are good for vintage guitars that require special strings. They are quieter and less durable but easier to play

http://www.wikihow.com/Choose-Acoustic-Guitar-Strings

Season Changing Cigar & Guitar Prep!

Finally, it seems as though we are getting some milder weather, if only for a few days per week!

With the milder and warmer air approaching, it is important to prep and secure your humidity situation.  If you are dealing with a guitar display case you want to take everything out, wipe  down the walls with some sort of bacteriocide.  This will take any residual and microscopic particles and make them non toxic. You want to inspect the inside of the case and make sure the seams and doors are all in good shape.  Next, you should be changing the filter in your humidifier and making sure you are adding a bacteriocide to the water.  Pollen that travels into the house will clog it up and make changing more frequent, the bacteriocide helps cut that.  You should decide whether you will require a cooler to keep the humidifier and stock in top shape.

If you are dealing with cigars, all of the above will hep you keep your investment in top shape as well.  You may require higher humidity in the winter months but do NOT underestimate the AC unit that you want to stick in the humidor.  If the AC is pumping all of the time, it WILL suck out all of the humidity and make the humidifier non existent.  Make sure you call us!! We can add a control to our Habitat Monitor that will allow a cooler to be operated opposite the humidifier.  So they are not running at the same time.
www.habitatmonitor.com

The Habitat Monitor ®

• Highly Accurate Thermostat and Humidistat

• Temperature & Humidity Alarm

• Climate Control System, with appliances attached

The Habitat Monitor ® temperature and humidity gauge is ideal for any controlled climate environment. It can be used in a variety of applications where temperature and humidity ranges must be preserved to prevent damage, deterioration or contamination of product, electrostatic discharge, or loss of sterility. The Habitat Monitor hygrometer controls temperature to within 1°F and humidity to within 2% in wine cellars, cigar humidors, guitar
cabinets, greenhouses, clean rooms and reptile aquariums as well as for pianos and other acoustic instruments.

Features include:

• • Temperature and humidity measured and displayed (updated) every 5 seconds
• • Simple, easy to navigate menu system
• • Sounds alarm if temperature or humidity falls outside acceptable range (Alarm can be disabled)
• • Pre-programmed for user’s application, but is easily programmed by user
• • Operates as a stand-alone alarm device or can be connected to a remote alarm, dialer, or existing burglary/fire system
• • Minimum and maximum temperature and humidity readings are stored and easily reviewed
• • Controls climate when connected to humidification, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning appliances
• • Combines with any of our humidifiers to monitor and control humidity
• • Add dehumidifiers, heaters and coolers if needed
• • For use in any size enclosure, from small cabinets to large rooms