Which Guitars are Most Stable With Humidity Changes?

pdg · March 2019

Just curious about people's experiences with GJ guitars and humidity changes. Which guitars seem to be the most stable, in terms of action and feel, despite changes in humididy (due to weather, heating, air conditioning, etc.)?
Are high-end guitars more fussy, changing all the time? Are entry-level guitars more stable (built heavier)? Or are some makers just better at reducing the tendency of their guitars to change shape with humidity changes?
Do some guitars seem always to feel and sound the same, while other guitars feel and sound different every time you pick them up? Do some guitars require shimming and de-shimming frequently (even in the middle of a gig), or truss rod adjustment, while others are as stable as, say, a Martin flattop?

Jim Kaznosky · March 2019

My AJL is super stable and I wonder if the torrification process has a lot to do with it. Additionally, my Bumgarner is a tank. I've adjusted the bridge maybe a half dozen times in four years to get it intoned, but have never had to shim it. My guess is that it was built in the same general climate where I live (East Coast) and that the wood simply doesn't have to move much. My buddy's Barault does not like sudden adjustments to temperature and humidity and the top moves constantly. His Dupont MDC60 doesn't move one bit, on the other hand.

Bones · March 2019

It helps if the wood in the inside of the body is sealed.

klaatu · March 2019

My Rodrigo Shopis never seems to have issues with humidity. I do keep an Oasis humidifier in the case in our Nova Scotia winter, but there has never been a need to shim it at all. It does not have a truss rod, rather it has carbon inserts in the neck which seem to keep it solid as a rock.

Buco · March 2019

With my guitar it's really the difference in tone that I notice with humidity changes, not so much that the wood moves.

Bones · March 2019

The most obvious symptom is they go sharp or flat really quickly.

Buco · March 2019

You're right @Bones when I pick up my guitar, if it's still in tune then I know it's properly humidified.

guitarmike · March 2019

It's like asking what kind of wood doesn't suffer from humidity changes.

Bones · March 2019

Yeah good point and one I can't answer. Again, I think it's just best to seal the inside as well as the outside to limit how much humidity gets absorbed by the wood (or goes out of the wood). Wood changes dimension a lot depending on moisture content and I'm sure different types of wood respond differently to some extent. Even different pieces of the same type of wood I would think.