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How to fix swelled top from high humidity?
http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=24855		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Parames B [ Wed Dec 02, 2009 7:02 am ]
Post subject:  How to fix swelled top from high humidity?
I need advice as to what is the proper way to remove moisture from the swelled top, which has caused higher than usual action and the rise in fretboard over the top.

Would things like Humidipack or Zorb-it be effective in removing the moisture content from wood or do I need a dehumidification system?

The RH of my place during this time is in the range of 40%-60%, depending on the weather on each day which is also varied in day and night time.
I understand that a normal guitar should be just alright with this humidity range but I suspect this guitar might have absorbed the moisture during the rainy season which had just passed.

Thanks for any input. :)
Author:  TonyKarol [ Wed Dec 02, 2009 7:23 am ]
Post subject:  Re: How to fix swelled top from high humidity?
Guitars cant hold excess moisture/RH .. they will acclimatize to the local surroundings .. so if it gained moisture a few weeks back, it should have fully lost it and be back at 50% if thats what the room is at ... its an equilibrium thing ... guitars lose moiture pretty fast, like in a few days at most.
Author:  bluescreek [ Wed Dec 02, 2009 7:48 am ]
Post subject:  Re: How to fix swelled top from high humidity?
you may have something else going on. Is this a guitar you built ? It isn't abnormal for a top to rise . With a straight edge across the guitar body behind the bridge , what is the height off the sides from the straight edge . A 1/8 inch rise is within the norm , a 1/4 inch is not.
You may have a loose brace. Also do you know what the RH was when the top was glued ? I often glue my tops at 35% and don't have issues. If you did build this and you over scalloped braces or made them too weak they can distort.
Author:  Parames B [ Wed Dec 02, 2009 8:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: How to fix swelled top from high humidity?
Thanks for the replies. It's a Taylor GA3. The action is now somewhat high at 3/32" and 9/64" at 12th fret on the high and low E respectively while the saddle protrusion over the bridge is at 3/32" and 5/32" on high and low E respectively. The neck is pretty straight, being within .010" range. I have yet to check the dome height off the side with straight edge as mentioned to see if it's off the norm.
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