I have a OM2H and use D'addario medium guage strings. I've been using them ever since I got the guitar and have no trouble with any buzzing. However, I live in an apartment in Michigan and don't have a humidity controlled environment. If Im not playing the guitar, it is always in my case and not left out. However, just in the last few days my low E and A strings are buzzing like crazy on the 3rd and 4th frets because of the low action. Given my circumstances is there anything I can do? My guess is because the weather is dryer, would a humidifier help at all? Any other suggestions? I have also noticed a whistle sound from the G string at the 6th fret whenever plucked really hard that never used to be there either. I checked to see if is was the action, but it would buzz and not whistle if it was. I'd be greatful for any suggestions or ideas.

Mike

Get a humidity guage. If it is lower than 40% you could be right. Go to the local guitar store soon before the guitar develops more problems such as a crack. See what humidifiers are available and get one.
Rick

I've been reading up on this and am wondering what would more effective. A humidifier to put in the guitar or a room humidifier to use the room my guitar is stored in? Also, if a guitar humidifier would be better, any specific suggestions?

I use a simple fan-blown tank humidifier in my studio room at home and it works great for my wall-hung guitars. I use an industrial-grade passive hygrometer (around $100 from scientific instrument suppliers) and it's all good.

I would NEVER put a Dampit or any other sponge-type humidifier in my guitars. Crikey -- they're made out of glued wood, two things that do not like to get wet.

I'm with David. Go to Radio Shack and get a hygrometer (around $20) and go to WalMart and get a room humidifier (around $50) Keep the room between 40-60% RH. You can't go wrong...

I also vote for the room humidifier. I leave my guitars out, hanging on wall hooks, all the time, so just keeping the room humidified is a great solution.

I would recommend AGAINST an ultrasonic "cool mist" type humidifier. They blast the water into mist with ultrasonics, which is neat, and works very well, but it also blasts the minerals in the water into the air, to settle out later as a fine white dust over everything. These humidifiers are great if you can use distilled water, but that would cost a fortune. I use the tank/fan type that uses paper filters. The mineral get left behind on the filters as the water evaporates. Every so often you change the filters.

Thanks guys for the suggestions. I talked to my parents and they have a fan humidifier they are not using that Im going to get next week. I'll go get the hygrometer from radio shack and hopefully I should be all set.

Mike

I got a hygrometer and put it in my room and it says the RH is at about 53. We just did turn the heat on in my apartment so I don't know if that would cause the RH to be more then what it was. I still haven't got the humidifier yet as I haven't gone home. Im just surprised that the RH was at 53 and Im getting buzzing. Any other suggestions or things I could try to narrow down the problem? Do you think it would still be there if I put on D'addario lights?

If the RH is/has been 53% you don't have a humidity problem. But just in case put a damp sponge inside a plastic baggie and punch some holes in the baggie. Put the baggie in the guitar case (not inside the guitar). I think you need to raise the action by adjusting the truss rod. Use 1/4 turns of nut to see what kind of response you are getting. Loosening (turning the nut counter clockwise) will result in higher action. Tightening (clockwise) the truss rod nut will result in lower string action. How long have you had the guitar, a week or a year? Does the room get sun exposure? Also what kind of heat do you have? Forced hot air? Electric baseboard? Steam? Good luck.

I really don't know if I trust myself adjusting the truss rod. I've had the guitar for a year now. I have a sheet over the window because I can't stand glare on my LCD. The room has electric heat, the register is on the other side of the room than my guitar. I never turn that register on though because the downstairs heat takes care of the whole apartment. I do believe that adjusting the truss rod would probably cure the problem. Elderly is only an hour away. I do have a local guitar shop in town but I really don't trust them with my Collings even if it is just a truss rod adjustment. I know I don't trust myself, but would any guitar tech be able to do this without screwing it up or should I just go to Elderly?

With a resource as authoritative as Elderly a mere hour away, you'd be crazy not to take your guitars there.

Mike, Adjusting action by turning the truss rod nut is pretty basic stuff. If you understand clockwise vs counter clockwise movement you can do it. I live near Chicago which is pretty close to your latitude. Every spring/summer and fall/winter I have to tweak the truss rod nut if I want to maintain my guitar action between .004 and .008 inches. I'm sure Elderly could solve your problem, but why spend two hours driving, plus money for gas, plus money for adjustment, plus waiting for adjustment? IMHO, you need to learn to do this. The only tools you need are an allen wrench and a feeler gauge. With these tools you can check nut clearance, action, saddle clearance, nut slot width, etc. You can really start to understand what a "good" setup on your guitar means. String buzz this time of year could certainly indicate low humidity, but there are many other things that can cause buzz, action too low, raised(high)fret, nut slot too wide, strings cutting slots into saddle,etc. The first things I would do is get humidity under control. How do you know the humidity gauge you just bought is calibrated properly? Then adjust string action to between the above parameters. Then if you still have a buzz problem take it to Elderly for a setup. Good luck.