Wood Instruments

Humidity for Guitars that Lasts

Boveda should last about 2 months in your guitar case, so why didn’t your first set last that long?

Simple. It’s your case.

Imagine you had Tupperware large enough to put a dry guitar and 3 Boveda inside. Tupperware is vapor proof and doesn’t absorb moisture. It would take a few days for the guitar to absorb moisture it needs. The Boveda also needs time to regulate the humidity inside to a stable RH between 45-55%. The thirsty wood in your guitar case will absorb a lot moisture and cases don’t (generally) have a tight seal. Therefore, the Boveda have to work much harder.

Add to this the fact that 75% of the moisture of the Boveda is being used by the wood in the case – not the guitar. There’s a lot more wood underneath the felt/padding of your case than there is in your entire guitar.

Once the wood in the case gets the moisture it needs, it will stop competing with the guitar for moisture. The case will also seal better, keeping the moisture inside and creating a more efficient environment.

It shouldn’t take more than one set of 3 Boveda to get your guitar and case conditioned. (Remember to replace the packs when the entire thing is almost completely rigid.)

If you’ve gone through a set in a couple weeks, your case/guitar were dry and/or your case doesn’t seal well. If you go through two sets in a month or so, you need a new case.

Keep in mind, your case can lose a surprising amount of moisture if it’s left open. You’re going to get the best life out of Boveda by keeping the case locked tight, whether the guitar is in it or not.

Charles Rutherford

Like Boveda Music on Facebook
Follow Boveda Music on Twitter