Nova Scotia Weather and the Care of Wooden Instruments

May 28

After more than thirty years working with wooden instruments — in homes, studios, churches, and classrooms — I can tell you this with certainty:

Climate matters more than most musicians realize. I now live in Nova Scotia, where the saying “If you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes” is accurate. Rapid swings in temperature and humidity are normal here. But what feels like a minor inconvenience to us can be a significant source of stress for a wooden instrument.

Shortly after relocating, several of my instruments began responding to the environmental shift. Action changed. Tuning stability shifted. Wood movement became visible. These were not random issues. They were climate-related.

Wood is hygroscopic. It absorbs and releases moisture depending on its surroundings. And because guitars and other string instruments live under constant string tension, even small environmental changes can have amplified structural effects.

Most people do not think about humidifiers until something goes wrong.

What Happens When It’s Too Dry

When indoor heat turns on in winter, relative humidity can drop dramatically. As wood loses moisture, it shrinks across the grain.

Common symptoms of dryness include:

Cracks in the top or sides
Fret ends protruding beyond the fingerboard
Lowered saddle height and buzzing
Bridge lift
Increased stress on the neck from string tension

Left unaddressed, minor dryness can become structural damage requiring professional repair.

What Happens When It’s Too Humid

Excess humidity causes wood to swell.

You may notice:

Higher action
A “belly” forming behind the bridge
Intonation changes
Dull tone
Sluggish response

Repeated swelling and shrinking cycles weaken glue joints and braces over time. Stability — not extremes — is the goal.

Best Practices for Climate Control

Once your household heat is running consistently, active humidity management becomes essential.

Store instruments in their cases when not in use
Use a soundhole or case humidifier during dry months
Maintain 40–50% relative humidity
Use a hygrometer to monitor levels
Consider room humidifiers for studios with multiple instruments

And do not hang instruments near woodstoves, fireplaces, baseboard heaters, or heat vents. Localized heat creates extreme dry zones that accelerate cracking.

Your instrument cannot adapt quickly to rapid environmental swings.

Signs Your Instrument Is Under Stress

Pay attention to:

Sudden buzzing
Noticeable action changes
Sharp fret ends
Visible cracks
Bulging or sinking of the top
Persistent tuning instability

Early intervention is always less costly than major repair.

When Professional Repair Is Necessary

If damage has already occurred, consult a qualified luthier. Professionals like Ted Woodford regularly address issues caused by climate stress, from crack repair to neck resets.

Preventative care is significantly less expensive than structural repair.

Living in Nova Scotia has reinforced something I have long known as a musician and educator: wooden instruments are responsive, dynamic structures. They require consistent environmental care.

If you control the humidity, you protect the instrument.

Shawn Trotter