zohn wrote
The Masterbuilts are very nice. I have to say though that I saw a couple at various dealers that had dryness-damage, ranging from the notorious hump at the neck-joint to body cracks. I suspect a batch of them might have spent too much time out in a container in the sun.
In fact, that is one area dealers in SA can learn a lot of nl. how to humidify their instruments properly, and to keep them that way. I know Hugh does.
Hugh keeps a humidifier in each case. McGibbon's have a humidity controlled shop. These are the only two options really. Obviously having a humidifier in the case is not much use when the guitar is on display. McGibbon's have done it properly, but it costs money to get the humidifying hardware installed.
It is a problem up on the highveld where we have a generally dry climate and very dry winters.
I'd not say it's a South African problem though. Many a dealer in the UK has no humidity control. And they do have problems in the winter, especially when the heating gets turned on. I was surprised at how many shops I tried in the UK didn't even sell in-case humidifiers.
I start using in-case humidifiers at home round about Easter and persist with them through the winter and at least until the spring equinox.
