Crazy to try this?

[dannopelli]

So it's springtime. And the fret tangs are a poppin!

Funny thing is, the guitars I use a lot don't have the issue. Its just the others. And having had this repaired once with far less than satisfactory results, (The sides of the neck looked like they had been sanded), I am reticent to have that work done again. And usually by June it goes away.

NOTE THAT I DO KEEP MY GUITARS IN CASES WHEN NOT PLAYED. And this year only six are problematic.

So I am trying to "rehydrate" them over a shorter period of time. I have them in the bathroom steaming for about 30 minutes every two days.

It seems to be working.

Any thoughts?

[Casper]

I remember Roy telling me to do that with my old Cobra a few years ago and it did work pretty well. There's a hydration tube you can also put in the case..can't remember where I got it, but its basically a rubber tube with a sponge..it has holes all through it and you run it under the sink for a minute or two and put it in the case for a day or two. That has also worked for me. ( I can send you a pic of it if you like?) Trouble with steaming is that it will promote rust if you can't get to all of the moisture to wipe it off (bridge, cavities, etc.).. Just my .02

[Pietro]

I got a little bit of rough edges on a couple guitars, but now that it's spring they've totally gone away.

I agree that I won't let anybody touch my fret tangs unless they REALLY know what they are doing...

humidify the room you keep them in more intentionally and you probably will have nothing to worry or think about long term, though.

[dannopelli]

I got a little bit of rough edges on a couple guitars, but now that it's spring they've totally gone away.

I agree that I won't let anybody touch my fret tangs unless they REALLY know what they are doing...

humidify the room you keep them in more intentionally and you probably will have nothing to worry or think about long term, though.

Thanks Pete. Problem is we are in a condo now that we moved to Chicago. In PA they were all in a humidified room. Now they are in four different closets.

Just wondering if 30 minutes every two days for a week or two will cause any long term or internal damage. It's not a steamroom, just steamy.

[dannopelli]

Shaun,

Good point about the internals. That is what worries me. Funny that Roy mentioned this as DT did once too.

But yeah again its only 30 minutes every two days, and then I leave them on stands for about two hours to air out. Then I play them and work all the switchy, springy, and knobby thingys!

[tom]

musicnomad.com has a little in case humidifier that is very simple and easy to use. they also now have an in case meter. not sure you need the meter if frets are poppin. the in case device might be faster than the bathroom.

a tip about removing the excess fret. i have an ancient super fine file that i have ground the edges smooth on and it is great for trimming the tang without messing up the finish. if you end up filing the actual bead of the fret you'll probably make some sharp corners that will have to be dealt with making it a bigger job.

[dannopelli]

musicnomad.com has a little in case humidifier that is very simple and easy to use. they also now have an in case meter. not sure you need the meter if frets are poppin. the in case device might be faster than the bathroom.

a tip about removing the excess fret. i have an ancient super fine file that i have ground the edges smooth on and it is great for trimming the tang without messing up the finish. if you end up filing the actual bead of the fret you'll probably make some sharp corners that will have to be dealt with making it a bigger job.

I'll look into that. Thanks!

[dannopelli]

Just as an FYI, the steamy room treatment seems to have worked.