Hello--
I got a catologue today that showed the new Planet Waves humidifier system. It uses no water, has a pouch for the soundhole and one for the headstock area of the case.
Has anyone tried these? They are supposed to draw out excess humidity and keep a balance.
I heard that D'Addario was coming out with a system like this, but this Planet Waves looks pretty nice.
Right now, the soap box with sponge method works pretty well.
Thanks,
Fred

Update--
I bought two of these systems last week. I have one in my Collings case and one in the Gibson. So far, the Collings is right on the money for humidity. The sweet thing about this system is that it has packets for the sound hole AND the neck stock area of the case.
I would have love to be the inventor of these. Great concept...Happy Monday!
Fred

Interesting. BTW, Planet Waves is owned by D'Addario.

Yeah, you know I think I am supposed to know that.
The brain gives way when I get started talking guitars. I seem to get all nervous talking about my mandolins too! I wonder what will happen when I eventually get a banjo?
I wonder if GAS could cover BAS? I'm over my MAS!
Thanks,
Fred

I actually have the same system in my D1A varnish but I don't have a hygromemter (?), yet, to measure the humidity in the case so I refrained from commenting on your original post (apologies). It's a very convenient system. I think I'll be needing the inserts for higher humidity since Sydney is often +70% relative humidity.

Hey Steve--
Your D1-A Varnish sounds like a great guitar. Mahogany, right? I am slowly moving back to mahogany with koa as my second choice. The C-10 has such a clear hog sound that my Santa Cruz OM/PW sounds tight to me now. It's funny how you change, but I started out with a 1990's Martin DM and that spoiled me with a nice hog sound.
Lastly, my Radio Shack hyrgrometer works great and shows that these packs are working.

Fred-
Although I can't guage the humidity in my guitar case, I think I can hear a more consistent tone in my guitar since I've been using the packs. On a dry day in Sydney the rel. humidity can get down to 35-40% but it often gets up to 90% and I could definately hear a difference between those variations. But since I've been using the packs it seems to be very consistent...consistently out of this world if you know what I mean.

How long do these packets last? I thought I read somewhere that you have to change them every 3-4 months.

They are pretty new, so my dealer isn't really sure. I think the literature says 3-4 months and that is what the dealer is saying. Who knows for sure. The street price for the system is around $27-30 I think. I don't mind springing for the replacement packs. I only bought two of these--one for the Gibson AJ and the other for my Collings. I will continue to run the sponge-Tupperware humidifiers on my other guitars.
Steve, it is funny you mention the tone of your guitar. My friend who sold me my Collings said that they had similar reports back about the Humidipacks. I am just amazed at how they worked very gradually, but they stabilized. I was getting a wierd deal in my Gibson case where it would creap up into the 50's humidity-wise. I also like the fact that you aren't jamming some hard piece of plastic or a wet tube into the soundhole of an expensive guitar.
I plan on keeping the Collings as a lifer, so if it requires some bucks to replace these packets every 4 months, I'll do it and cut back on my wild nights out on the town!

I just saw on the Blurgrass Blog that D'Addario are recalling the humdifier packs after testing revealed a potential for the substance inside the packs to leak. Go to Bluegrassblog to see the article.

I am on my second set of humidipaks. They last 4-6 weeks in my enviroment. I live in the high desert of Southern Oregon. Typical humidity in the house is 15-25%. The humidipaks bring the humidity in my guitar case to 37-40%.

here is the link to the recall:

http://www.planetwaves.com/humidipak_consumer_advisory.html

this stinks since I was enjoying them. In the humid south we need to dehumidify not humidify. I may keep mine until they need to be replaced - still on first set - and just monitor closely.