User Manual

2
Moisture Content and Humidity
Wood is a porous, organic material, and
is affected dimensionally by changes in the
amounts of moisture it contains. Fine guitars
made from solid woods, are without a doubt,
more susceptible to the effects of changes
in humidity than laminated instruments, and
therefore require ongoing attention to their
condition.
The moisture content of wood is
determined by the relative humidity and
temperature of the surrounding atmosphere.
Relative humidity is expressed as a
percentage of air’s capability to hold
moisture. For example, 30% relative
humidity means that the air is holding 30% of
the moisture it could possibly hold at a given
temperature.
The moisture content for wood and the
relative humidity for air are measured quite
differently. In wood, a 6% moisture content
is present at 30% relative humidity and 72˚ F
temperature, (about 22.2˚ C).
Protection from Temperature
and Humidity
The greatest threats to a  ne wood guitar,
are extremes of, and rapid changes in,
temperature and humidity.
High humidity
can cause softening of
the glues used in the construction of the
instrument. Also, as the woods absorb
moisture from the air, it can cause the top
and back, especially on  at-top and classical
guitars, to expand and rise - making string
action high.
Conversely, if you live in or travel with
your guitar to a drier climate, (either hot or
cold), there is another danger. In areas of
low
humidity
, the evaporation of moisture in the
wood can cause shrinkage and cracking, no
matter how long the wood may have been
previously aged. It also can cause the top and
back to shrink, making the string action low.
The collective experience of all of the
major guitar manufacturers today, has
demonstrated that the ideal temperature to
preserve the integrity of solid wood acoustic
guitars is room temperature, which is about
70˚ F (20.5˚ C). The ideal humidity is about
40% to 50%.
In the winter, the forced air systems used
to heat most homes, can drive temperatures
up and humidity levels dangerously low for
guitars. A good measure of protection against
drying out your guitar is to use a room
humidi er.
When the instrument is not in use, we
recommend that you keep it in its case and
use one of the small guitar humidi ers such
as “Dampit”, available from many instrument
dealers. Do not leave the guitar out for long
periods near a heating vent, radiator or in
direct sunlight near a window.
Do not leave your guitar in the trunk of
a car for long periods and keep it away
from excessive heat and cold.
Please note:
Damage caused to the guitar as the result
of exposure to temperature or humidity
changes will not be covered under the
Gretsch
®
warranty.
Cracks in the Wood
Cracks in the wood are typically caused
by changes in temperature and humidity.
While a crack may initially be alarming, if
it is taken care of promptly it shouldn’t be a
cause for undue concern. Cracks may easily
be repaired without compromising structural
or tonal integrity.
If the crack is in the top, near the bridge,
loosen all the strings to reduce tension,
(which could potentially exacerbate the
problem), and have the crack repaired as
soon as you can.
Please note: Cracks in
the wood, which occur as the result of
exposure to temperature or humidity
changes will not be covered under the
Gretsch
®
warranty.