My first Taylor made me wee a little...!

[sifender56]

Hi guys!

So after much deliberation I bought myself a Taylor 814ce and I love it! Great full sound and as most people comment online it really does do a lot of things very well.

Quick question though, in the case were a few print outs, one discussing humidity. Is this an issue everyone should actively deal with or is it only for those living in extreme conditions i.e. the Gobi Desert or the North Pole?!

I live in Scotland so the temperature averages 18deg in the summer but can hit a few degrees below freezing in the winter...do I need to invest in humidipaks??!!

[EnglishGuy]

A welcome from this side of the pond from me.
Enjoy the company on here - and I'll leave one of them to answer your question. (Although there is a clip on YouTube by Bob Taylor talking about the nedd to be aware of humidity.)
Enjoy the 814.

[Strumming Fool]

The real test is what your indoor conditions are. You'll need a hygrometer (about $20) to monitor the humidity of the room where you keep your guitar (in its case when not in use as recommended). If the relative humidity level dips below 40% (usually in colder weather when your home's heating system tends to dry out the air) you'll probably want to humdify your guitar. There are many good products on the market. I use what is now an old-fashion product called Damp-it. Dip it in water, squeeze out the excess moisture and clip it on your strings across the soundhole when storing your guitar in its case.

Congratulations on the 814- wonderful all-purpose instrument! Welcome!

[Steve]

Congrats on the new guitar!

You're wise to ask about humidifcation. I see so many people not give it a passing thought.

If you run heat or air conditioning, you're drying out the air, and you want to stay on top of that. The recommendation of a hygrometer cannot be overstated. If you don't know what your humidity is, you really can't properly control it. If you store the guitar in its case (again, this is recommended), get a hygrometer for the case. Having one out in the room doesn't help you a whole lot unless that's the environment the guitar will be in.

45% is ideal, and don't go below 40%. Rosewood and Sitka can be pretty forgiving, but you don't want to push it.

Enjoy!

[CodeBlueEMT]

 Hi Sifender56. Welcome to our site. Congrats on the 814ce. Although I can't afford an 814ce, it was the first Taylor I ever played. The rest is a short, but awesome story.

 I use the Planet Waves Humidipak kits. The cold months here in North Carolina tend to dry the packets out more quickly. I like 'em.

 Enjoy the site. I think you'll like it.

[sifender56]

Hi guys

Thanks for that...for on £25 I suppose it's a small price to pay to ensure the guitar is in top top condition.

By the way CodeBlue, I have some friends in Maysville North Carolina...close to you??

[sifender56]

Is this useful or cheap crap?!

Look at this on eBay:

Digital LCD Thermometer - Hygrometer Reptile etc

http://bit.ly/QLAISk

[michaelw]

Is this useful or cheap crap?!

Look at this on eBay:

Digital LCD Thermometer - Hygrometer Reptile etc

http://bit.ly/QLAISk

there are ways to test for hygrometer 'accuracy' -
http://www.cigarsinternational.com/html/cig101_12st.asp
i'd suggest trying the salt test, as wrapping a moist towel
around an electronic device is usually not desirable

i don't believe this digital model has a calibration adjustment
so if the reading is 'off', you'll need to 'compensate' for that somehow

[Steve]

Always go with digital hygrometers. Analog hygrometers can be off by as much as 10-15% from what the humidity actually is...

[CodeBlueEMT]

Hi guys

Thanks for that...for on £25 I suppose it's a small price to pay to ensure the guitar is in top top condition.

By the way CodeBlue, I have some friends in Maysville North Carolina...close to you??

 Maysville, NC looks to be off the beaten path out near the coast. I had to look it up. I live in Raleigh, near the middle of the state.

[sifender56]

Ah yeah just checked it on Google maps...I forget how big the individual states are!!

Anywho...this 814ce is AMAZING!!! My life is now opened up into a new cornucopia of sounds and musical delights ;-)

[BigSkyTaylorPlayer]

Hi guys

Thanks for that...for on £25 I suppose it's a small price to pay to ensure the guitar is in top top condition.

By the way CodeBlue, I have some friends in Maysville North Carolina...close to you??

Welcome to the forum.  I have some relatives in Havelock which is not far from Maysville, small world indeed!!  Hope you are enjoying your 814.

[dsamuel24]

Every time I see the title of this thread, I laugh out loud (which makes me wee a little). 

[Captain Jim]

Every time I see the title of this thread, I laugh out loud (which makes me wee a little). 

Best to not check this while you are driving... so you don't... (yeah, it's what you think)... wee, wee, wee, all the way home.   

I know - back in my corner.