Author Topic: Silica Gell in your guitar case? (Read 1763 times)

basso · « **on:** April 25, 2004, 04:20:09 PM »

Do any of you think it is a good or bad idea to keep a silica gell sachet in your guitar case?

rogertvr · « **Reply #1 on:** April 25, 2004, 06:13:22 PM »

I have to ask the question - do you think that you need it?

basso · « **Reply #2 on:** April 26, 2004, 12:30:27 AM »

Hi rogervr well,my bass was in the car yesterday and it was very hot,i had to park up and leave the bass in the car,but i did leave the sunroof open slightly,i could see the car,so i didn't mind doing this,i would never leave it otherwise,on returning to the car to show a friend my bass,i was surprised to see beads of moisture around the pickup area!!i had never seen this on any bass before!and as far as i can see the case isn't damp,all i can presume is that the heat,and the air gap between the case and the pickup area caused the moisture?BUT,where did it come from in the first place?hence my qeustion about the silica gell,hopefully this will be a one off situation!!seeing beads of water on the bass was very surprising!thanks,Julian.

locutusofborg10 · « **Reply #3 on:** April 26, 2004, 05:00:48 AM »

besides silica gel packets (of which you would need many) there are several good humidity control products on the market that you could use if you have that problem. never, ever leave your instrument in a car trunk on a hot day no matter what. its asking for trouble.

dean_m · « **Reply #4 on:** April 26, 2004, 07:41:45 AM »

Hey Julian,
I have to agree with locutus. One rule of thumb to ask yourself is this. Would you leave your child or your dog or even yourself in the same environment? What feels uncomfortable to you will also feel uncomfortable to your instrument.
My late night grocery store thinks I'm nuts when I do grocery shopping after a gig, and I've got my bass strapped to my shoulder. HA!!!!

Peace,
Dino

basso · « **Reply #5 on:** April 26, 2004, 07:58:36 AM »

Yes Dino i agree 100%,BUT,some eating houses here don't like it!!no i wouldn't leave my daughter or our dog in the car,but in certain circumstances when you are away from home and gigging, it can't be helped,thanks,Julian.

locutusofborg10 · « **Reply #6 on:** April 26, 2004, 09:00:03 AM »

basso,
please, please take everone's advice about leaving your ax in the car trunk. if i have to leave my car even for a minute to go to the bathroom, i schlep the damn thing with me. defintely look into the humidity controls that are on the market. i use one and have never had a problem with my neck warping.

xlrogue6 · « **Reply #7 on:** April 26, 2004, 11:36:14 AM »

This will also keep you from bringing excessive numbers of instruments to gigs! ;-)

I don't worry about leaving my instruments in a car during hot weather for 5 minutes or so, but beyond that, forget it. Dean's rule of thumb pretty much nails it, IMO.

ox_junior · « **Reply #8 on:** April 26, 2004, 12:33:49 PM »

I leave a pack of silica gel in my bass cases, it certainly seems to make a difference in a positive way in terms of humidity control. Thankfully here in southern California we don't have to worry about that too much, but it does happen.

Hope this helps. Thanks, Mike

basso · « **Reply #9 on:** April 26, 2004, 01:14:22 PM »

The weather can be so damp one day and hot as hell the next here in the UK,that's the problem,so you just have to do what you feel is right,so yes, i agree with the comments,but it's not always possible i'm afaid, to not leave the bass in the car,not for me anyway,yes i have put a pack of silica gell in the case now Mike so hopefully it will take care of it,it's been outside in the fresh air today just to dry it out, should there be any dampness in the case,thanks,Julian.

kayo · « **Reply #10 on:** April 26, 2004, 02:23:28 PM »

I am pleased to see this issue raised

I have been keeping a king size silica gel pack in my bass case since I first got my brand new custom Rogue in 1999. I always keep my bass in its case due to the fact that I never know where I'll have to store it in short notice, and it can range in locations that are dry, humid, warm/hot as well as pretty cold. Over time I noticed that extreme temperature changes in short periods of time (a variance of 25 degress F + or -, in 12 hours or less) was likely to either expand or contract my neck - throwing my intonation off and creating a buzz or other climate related problem on my neck.

Not to mention the fact that - for whatever reason, when I play very intensely - either on stage or practicing on my own, I tend to perspire heavily - and it does translate to my hands as well. In addition, the perspiration will radiate from my midsection, as well as drip down my arms -also imparting moisture onto the bass body.

As far as the strings go, the natural release of pheromones, sweat, body oils and the like from my palms/fingers are accountable for at least 50%, if not more, of the quick flattening/deading of my strings - and it was always with this specifically in mind that I used the gel packs. As long as my fellow Alembicians do not point out any adverse harm that could befall my prized possesion - I will continue this practice without fail.

xlrogue6 · « **Reply #11 on:** April 26, 2004, 03:40:39 PM »

Just make sure your bass does not eat the silica gel.

(Always wondered who the do not eat warnings on the gel packs were aimed at. The gel beads do look a bit like tapioca, but still....)

ox_junior · « **Reply #12 on:** April 26, 2004, 03:45:04 PM »

My bass is hungry, but not that hungry.

Sometimes I think the silica gel helps dry off the bass after playing. Sometimes you don't catch everything if you give your bass a quick wipe-down after a gig.

Thanks Kayo for the detailed observation of your sweating habits.

Mike

locutusofborg10 · « **Reply #13 on:** April 26, 2004, 06:42:04 PM »

well after reading all the positive posts about the silica gel packets i'm going to try using them along with the humidity controls. seems everyone is having good results with them.

dfung60 · « **Reply #14 on:** April 26, 2004, 09:41:22 PM »

An interesting discussion...

I'd certainly agree that time in a hot car or trunk is asking for trouble - as has often been documented here, the correction for a warped neck is often a rebend under heat which softens the glue joint between the fingerboard and neck laminate block so it can slide. Leaving your bass for an extended period in the trunk may have exactly the same effect, but certainly detrimental to your instrument.

However, I think I'd disagree with regard to the silica gel. You can put a little pack in your case as a good luck poultice, but you'd need a pretty big packet to influence your instrument (actually, I suspect that moisture in the case lining is a much bigger factor than the instrument).

Generally, with wood instruments, the problem with damage from humidity is not excessive humidity, but excessive dryness. You may experience action changes with too much or too little humidity, but the risk of cracking comes form low humidity rather than high. In this respect, silica gel is the last thing you'd want to put in your case as it is a dessicant - it absorbs atmospheric moisture. You see these little packets in electronics goods manufactured in the (humid) Far East, to prevent mold or corrosion from the humid air the product was packaged in.

Most instrument humidifiers work the opposite way. They are a sponge or polymeric goo that will release moisture into the case if it's too dry. They will have much more effect on an acoustic guitar or violin which is hollow, made from thin pieces of wood and which is unfinished on the inside.

The best humidity care for your bass is probably to keep it in the case when you're not using it.

DF