Caring for your new Larson Guitar
Humidity and your Guitar:
Your new Larson Guitar is constructed with solid woods that will swell or shrink in response to humidity and temperature changes. Ideally, you should store your guitar inside of its case as much as possible. This will protect your guitar from extreme environmental changes that could cause damage. Although your guitar case provides the best protection from drying and other environmental effects, in areas prone to severe dryness and/or cold, preventive care includes the use of one of several stringed-instrument humidifiers on the market that are specifically designed to maintain or restore moisture in solid wood instruments. In extremely dry areas of the country, where the humidity is consistently 20 percent or lower, it’s good to use a small, film canister-size humidifier in conjunction with a sound-hole humidifier. The second, or supplementary humidifier should be left in an open area of the guitar case (e.g. beneath the tuners) to benefit the neck. The frequency with which you re-wet your humidifier depends on the season and the region in which you live. As a general rule: In areas of the country that are very dry, or where cold winters are the norm, or where the relative humidity consistently remains in the 20-to-35 percent range, re-wet your humidifier every five to seven days. Homes with wood-burning heaters frequently have extremely dry interiors. Instruments that spend a lot of time outside of their cases, and/or under hot stage lights, require a higher-than-normal amount of humidification. Generally, extreme dryness (winter) will cause the top of the guitar to shrink and lower. This will cause fret buzzing. The fret-board may also shrink causing sharp fret ends to stick out on the sides of the neck. During times of high humidity, the top will do the opposite and swell. This will raise the action of the guitar and make it harder to play.
Temperature and your Guitar:
Extreme and rapid temperature changes in your guitar will cause damage to your instrument. For example, if it is –20 degrees outside and your guitar was left in the trunk of your car, drastic things could happen. First of all extreme low temperatures have a very dry relative humidity (see above). Secondly, if you rush your guitar into the house and quickly open your case you may instantly see and hear the guitar crack in many different places. In low (0r high) temperature situations I suggest that you try to keep your guitar “comfortable” (e.g. place it inside the car with you). High temperature can also affect your guitar in a very negative way. Once again, the worst place you can store your guitar is in the trunk of your car, or inside your car during a hot day. High temperatures will soften the glue and your guitar could literally fall apart. Once again, keep your guitar comfortable.
Truss Rod:
Your guitar has been built with a 2-way truss rod. This is used to correct any bow appearing in the neck due to string tension. The rod (located under the cover on the peghead) can be adjusted using an 1/8th inch hex wrench (included). Larson necks are quite solid and a minimal amount of truss rod adjusting is all that is necessary. The rod should not be turned more than a ¼ turn at a time. Once the guitar has “settled in” (after the 1st year), adjustments may be necessary only during dramatic seasonal changes.
Strings:
Your guitar was setup and designed to use regular light (12—53) guitar strings. Changing string types will change the action and will require a new setup and adjustment.
I hope you will find this information helpful. Feel free to call me with any questions or concerns. Enjoy your new Guitar!
Thank you
2408 8th Ave NE · Lemmon, SD 57638 · (605) 376-3993 · mail@larsonguitar.com