So, how to dry out a wet guitar? How long does it take for a guitar to dry out? What happens if a guitar gets wet? What happens if an electric guitar gets wet? How do I get the moisture out of my acoustic guitar? These questions usually come up in the queue when it comes to a wet guitar, and if you have this problem with your own, you have done the right thing that you are reading this now. It is in my best interest to help you solve this issue in your guitar, as also to prolong its use without getting damaged.
So, is it really that dangerous for your guitar if it gets wet? If your guitar was exposed to some wet conditions for a substantial amount of time, then you should already worry about your guitar. Whether electric or acoustic, guitars being wet for a long time can cause damage to it, which is why you should prevent these things from happening. Although there are some ways to dry your wet guitar, prevention is still better than cure.
Aside from the fact that you will now learn how to protect your guitar from being wet, we will also teach you some ways to dry out your guitar just like it never becomes wet in the first place.
What Happens If An Electric Guitar Gets Wet
If you are a professional guitarist who frequently plays on the open stage, then your electric guitar can get really wet when the rain pours down. There are really things that you cannot predict, just like when it will rain, so there are really some instances that your electric guitar can be wet before you can do anything to cover it.
There are also some instances that your electric guitar can get not just from the rain, but it can also get wet with its environment. If you are staying in a very high humidity place, you should worry about your electric guitar. Humidity is the number one suspect when it comes to guitar damage, as many guitar owners still do not know how destructive it is for an electric guitar to be exposed to a place with high humidity.
Electric guitars can also be wet from rain and high humidity when soaked or submerged in water. Although this is an unusual thing, it does not mean that it does not happen to some electric guitars.
So, what happens if an electric guitar gets wet? When your electric guitar gets wet, the water soaks in the body of the guitar, and its fretboard, which could result in these guitar parts swelling. When these things happen, you could also expect the guitar’s tone to be dull and flat.
The glue used in securing the fretboard to the electric guitar can also lose its adhesiveness when it starts to swell from being wet. As a result, the fretboard can get separated from the guitar’s body, as the strain from the swelling will force the fretboard to separate. If this happens, then it would be difficult for you to return it to its original condition as the fretboard is probably warped already.
It can also damage your electric guitar’s appearance. Letting the water touch your guitar will leave spots on the guitar’s finish, especially if not wiped immediately. Thankfully, this does not affect your guitar’s performance regarding playability.
Lastly, and could be the worst thing that could happen to your electric guitar is for its electronics to be damaged. Electronic components inside your electric guitar are known to be very sensitive when it comes to moisture, so if the guitar pickup gets wet for a long period, it can get damaged and stop working.
So, can you still play with a wet electric guitar? It would still be better to dry it out before using it again. Electronic devices that are exposed to water are hazardous and can potentially injure or even kill, and electric guitars are widely known to have electronic devices attached to them, like their pickups.
If plugged into a guitar amplifier, a wet electric guitar will have a live current that will go through it, and its closest route to the ground is you. This can result in electrocution and could cause some severe injuries or even kill you. This is why, before holding a wet electric guitar, ensure that it is not plugged into an amplifier.
What Happens If An Acoustic Guitar Gets Wet
Acoustic guitars are really one of the most convenient instruments that you can bring anywhere, which is why there is always a danger that they can get wet when the rain starts to drop. Whether you play on an open stage or on the streets, there is always a danger that your acoustic guitar can get wet when it starts to rain.
If you also regularly bring your acoustic guitar to a beach, there is a high possibility that it can get wet even if it is not soaked in the water. Places like beaches have their air full of moisture, which can infiltrate your acoustic guitar without your knowledge. It can also get wet from other people, but the former is really one of the main reasons why acoustic guitars can get wet on beaches.
So, what happens when your acoustic guitar gets wet? As we all know that an acoustic guitar really depends on its hollow body to produce its sound, they are more sensitive to moisture than electric guitars. When an acoustic guitar is exposed or soaked in the water, its body can surely swell and could irreparably damage the guitar in the long run.
Acoustic guitars that were exposed to water or maybe even soaked have a very high chance of sounding very dull and muffled. Even if you are able to dry the acoustic guitar, there is still a high probability that it will never sound the same again. Wet acoustic guitars can also have their joints damaged as the used glue can lose its adhesiveness. The neck and the fretboard can also detach as they may possibly get warped from being soaked in the water.
How To Dry Out A Guitar
If your guitar still has some wet spots, try to use a clean cloth and wipe it. Just don’t put too much stress on the guitar to avoid damaging it. However, if the problem with your guitar is that it did get wet because of the moisture, then you have to do something about it before it gets worse.
The first thing to do is remove the guitar from its case or bag, get a hairdryer, and blow-dry the case’s interior for ten to fifteen minutes. The next is you use a dehumidifier and place it in the guitar’s case, as you will need to reduce the humidity inside your guitar’s case. The next is to place some silica gels inside the guitar case or bag and replace them after a number of months. This will also help to dehumidify the environment of your guitar.
The amount of time until the guitar dries out will depend on the humidity of the guitar and its environment.
So, how to dry out a wet guitar? Wipe some wet spots, especially if there is still water to them. Also, use some dehumidifiers and silica gels and place them in your guitar case or bag, as they will help your guitar keep dry.
