Over the years, we've seen hundreds of guitars meet an early death by drying out in the winter time. Once your heating system is activated in your house, the heated air recirculates and the humidity drops. Since your guitar is made of wood, it is vulnerable to drying out.

Some warning signs that your guitar is in danger are:

- frets protruding from the fretboard
- guitar top feels like corduroy
- sound hole changing shape
- metal fittings coming loose
- string height change
- neck curve change
- finish distortion
- separation between body and binding

WHAT TO DO:

Since the guitar's top is at highest risk, ensure that you have a Trophy, Planet Waves or Kyser guitar humidifier. Sometimes, if the guitar's environment is still too dry, drastic measures must be taken. If neck dryness is apparent, take the guitar into the bathroom with you while you shower (IMPORTANT: NOT IN THE SHOWER)a couple of times a week to restore some of the moisture that has been lost during the winter months.

For a more in depth discussion on humidity and your guitar, please visit the Taylor Guitar site at

http://www.taylorguitars.com/guitars/features/woods/humidity.aspx

http://www.larrivee.com/5_features/educationEssays/humidityWood_essay.html

http://www.martinguitar.com/guitars/technical/humidity.html