We have all seen those quintessential music videos of rock bands playing in the rain. You have probably been to an outdoor concert once or twice when it began raining and the band jammed on. This might make you wonder just how waterproof guitars actually are and whether there is such a thing as a waterproof guitar. You might consider playing your guitar in the rain or even in the swimming pool but first, you need to understand a few aspects of your guitar. I learned the hard way that my particular acoustic guitar was not waterproof when it warped and the glue joints failed after it was exposed to the rain.
The vast majority of guitars are not waterproof. Most guitars, whether hollow or solid-body, are made of wood and they will warp if they get into contact with too much water. This is especially likely if the guitar’s finish is worn. However, a small minority of carbon fiber-based guitars are water-resistant/waterproof and the bodies will not get damaged due to contact with water.
Since most guitars are not waterproof, and after learning from the experience of my damaged acoustic guitar, I decided to learn how to protect my new guitar. I also wanted to find out how water-resistant/waterproof different guitars really are, and whether guitar cases are waterproof. Read on to find out!
How Water Resistant Are Guitars?
Different types of guitars display different levels of resistance against water. This is mainly due to the materials used in their manufacturing. We have already discussed that wooden guitars are never waterproof, which means that there is always going to be a risk of damage to the wood and warping if your guitar is exposed to water. But, it’s also true that different types of guitars display different levels of water resistance than others. So Let’s take a look at some examples of guitars, and discuss how water resistant they are.
Are Electric Guitars Water-Resistant?
Electric guitars are not waterproof. Electricity and water never go together. In fact, we thoroughly discuss this in things you should never do to an electric guitar. Even playing an electric guitar with wet hands, in the rain, or right after a shower is not advisable. This is for two reasons; (i) an electric guitar contains several electrical components so that even if it is not connected to an amp, water can still damage these components, (ii) if you are connected to an amp, water can conduct electricity and potentially shock you. Therefore, playing an electric guitar while you or the guitar is wet is a dangerous activity.
Are Acoustic and Classical Guitars Water-Resistant?
The vast majority of acoustic and classical guitars are made of wooden materials such as rosewood, ebony, maple, or mahogany. Most guitar bodies are lacquered or finished, and a few are not. Fretboards are often unfinished and this will typically depend on the type of wood your fretboard is made of.
Guitars that have finished bodies and fretboards will be more water-resistant than ones that are not, but you should still avoid getting water on your acoustic or classical guitar.
Are Carbon Fiber Guitars Water-Resistant?
Carbon fiber guitars are a relatively recent addition to the guitar scene. The unique advantage of carbon fiber is that the material is lightweight, durable, and waterproof. It is considerably more durable than wooden guitars and it is also a relatively inexpensive material. They are also resistant to changes in the climate such as humidity and temperature variations.
Although the carbon fiber guitar itself may be waterproof, that does not necessarily mean that every component on a carbon fiber guitar is waterproof. Carbon fiber guitars will typically use steel guitar strings, which will rust over time, especially if your strings are frequently in contact with water. An electric carbon fiber guitar will have the same concerns with water and electricity that any wooden electric guitar would have. Therefore, it is important to keep in mind that an acoustic carbon fiber guitar will be significantly more “waterproof” than an electric carbon fiber guitar.
There are some downsides to the carbon fiber guitar. As previously mentioned, carbon fiber guitars are a relatively new invention so there is a significantly smaller selection of guitars to choose from. That being said, the material is now available in both hollow-body acoustic and solid-body electric guitars. One additional concern is the price tag. Carbon fiber guitars tend to be priced higher than many other entry and mid-level guitars, at around the $1,000 price range.
Personally, my favorite carbon fiber guitar that I have tried is the Enya Carbon Fiber Acoustic Guitar. I was really impressed with the gorgeous design of this guitar and the sound is excellent. It is also a little less expensive than some of the other carbon fiber guitars on the market.
- ♫ CARBON FIBER GUITAR: As a substitute for tonewood, carbon fiber has resembling tonal traits. The top of the X4 Pro is made of a carbon fiber composite material with a purity of 95%, maximally transferring the string vibration energy into great acoustics performance, loud and balanced. You wouldn't believe how massive the low-end is when you hold it in your arms and strum a big open E major chord.
- ♫ STABLE AND RELIABLE: Unlike wood, carbon fiber never warps, cracks, or scratches, staying consistent across different temperature and humidity conditions. Take it on travels from Hawaii to Alaska and everywhere in between. It stays the same, and sounds the same.
- ♫ ACOUSTICPLUS PICKUP: The patented AcousticPlus Pickup system works for both acoustic guitars and acoustic-electric hybrid guitars. It gets you reverb, chorus, and delay, with no effects pedals needed. Simply turning it on, you get more sonic possibilities. Meanwhile, we’ve added a small microphone into the system just to pick up all those percussive elements, if you wanna use this guitar for fingerstyle playing. What’s more, is that you can charge this pickup system with a simple USB Type-C cable. No battery swamping. Simple as that. And this acoustic-electric pickup system also comes with an onboard tuner, saving you trouble from getting an external clip-on tuner.
- ♫ ELEVATED NECK: A disclaimer first: we mean to build it that way. It DOESN'T mean the guitar breaks. This elevated neck design releases the pressure to the top created by the fretboard from the 14th fret and up. The vibration of the top is drastically enhanced, providing better tonal response and dynamic range. The lows go lower. The highs go higher.
- ♫ WHAT YOU GET: Each X4 Pro acoustic-electric guitar was packaged with a deluxe hard-shell case, a leather strap, an instrument cable, an adjusting wrench, and a USB Type-C charging cable, a 30-day return & refund, and a one-year US warranty.
Water Resistant Guitar Comparison Table
| Type of guitar/interior vs exterior/material | Unlacquered/ unfinished wood | Lacquered/ Finished Wood | Carbon fiber |
| Electric guitar | Not waterproof. | Water-Resistant but not safe (electronics). | Waterproof but not safe. |
| Classical guitar (Outside) | Not waterproof | Water-Resistant | Waterproof |
| The classical guitar (inside) | Not waterproof. | Not waterproof. | Waterproof but wetting is not recommended. |
| Acoustic guitar (outside) | Not waterproof | Water-Resistant | Waterproof |
| Acoustic guitar (inside) | Not waterproof. | Not waterproof. | Waterproof but wetting is not recommended. |
Effects Of Water On A Guitar
A guitar that is not waterproof can easily get damaged if exposed to even a few drops of water. Some guitars are, however, water-resistant and this depends on the material that the guitar is made up of.
For example, guitars made of walnut or mahogany have a low risk of damage from a few drops of water compared to guitars made of softwood such as cedar or basswood.
Guitars exposed to large amounts of water such as a pool of water is a different story. The guitar will get damaged even if it is water-resistant and not completely waterproof. This again depends on the material that the guitar is made from.
In addition to that, if water gets into the inside of the guitar that is waterproof on the outside, it will still damage it.
Effects On Sound
When water soaks into the wood, it can make the guitar produce a lifeless and dull sound. Even if your guitar strings are new, the tone will still be dull and not as bright and loud as it should be.
Effects On Guitar Parts
Water can cause the guitar wood to swell and deform. When you attempt to play at that point, the guitar will sound dull and lifeless as we just mentioned. The guitar parts will, therefore, experience the following:
Deformation or warping
Deformation occurs when the guitar parts get soaked in water. As you try to dry the guitar, the wooden parts get warped or deformed. That makes it difficult and expensive to repair. The deformation normally occurs at the end block of the guitar back.
Glue joints fail
Exposure to water can also make the glue joints of the guitar fail. This makes the wood finish of your guitar lift and behave unusually.
Are Guitar Cases Waterproof?
Some guitar cases such as the SKB iSeries 4217-18 Model and the Cahaya guitar bag are waterproof while many others are not. In fact, it is probably safe to say that most guitar cases are water-resistant and not actually waterproof. This is because if they get exposed to water for too long, water will typically seep through the seam into the inside and get the guitar wet.
- Premium guitar case compatible with 40/41/42-in guitars, Length: 42.9”, Neck width: 5.5”, Body thickness: 4.96”
- 0.31-in thick sponge padding, larger and thicker-padded than previous yellow-colored model
- Two exterior pouches: a large front pocket for sheet music/documents and an extra neck pocket for accessories (pedals, adapters, cables, tuners, etc.)
- Water resistent oxford cloth exterior, strong two-way metal zippers, non-slip silicone handle, firmly-stitched.
- There is a loop handle on the back of the guitar bag, which can be hung on the wall when not in use.
To understand guitar cases and whether they are waterproof or not, it is important to understand the different types of guitar cases. These include the hard-shell guitar cases, the soft cases or the gig bags, and the hybrid guitar cases.
Hard Shell Guitar Cases
Hard-shell guitar cases are the most water-resistant out of the bunch, and some of them are waterproof. These cases are frequently made out of polypropylene, which is a waterproof material. They do not just protect the guitar against damage from water but also reduce the amount of dust that collects on your guitar. In addition to that, hard-shell cases protect the guitar against physical damage, temperature fluctuations, and humidity.
Soft Guitar Cases or Gig Bags
Soft guitar cases or gig bags are not completely waterproof. Remember, these bags have got zippers and water can easily get into the bag if, for instance, you place it in a pool of water. Gator makes some of the best water-resistant gig bags in the industry.
- Hybrid style case designed to fit standard electric guitars such as Fender Stratocaster/Telecaster
- Rugged nylon exterior with dense EPS foam core and plush lining
- Interior storage compartment and zippered outer pocket offer secure hideaways for capos, strings, picks, and accessories
- Heavy-duty nylon web carry handle and removable shoulder strap makes it comfortable and easy to take your case on the road
- Interior dimensions: Body length 18.5" Body Height 2.4" Lower bout Width 12.6" Middle bout Width 12.6" Upper Bout Width 12.6" Overall Length 41.6"
Also, if they are left to stay in water for some time, they can soak and the inside of the bag can get wet. You can however use it when it’s drizzling or if it is only being exposed to rainfall for a short period of time.
Hybrid Guitar Cases
A hybrid guitar case combines the design of the hard-shell and the soft guitar cases. The hybrid cases feature a water-resistant exterior and padded interior. They aren’t completely waterproof but are resistant to light drops of water.
That means your guitar is safe when exposed briefly to rain but don’t get these bags absolutely soaked in water. However, they are better than the soft guitar cases or the gig bags.
What To Do If Your Guitar Gets Wet
If you own a guitar long enough and you play it frequently enough, at some point it is going to get some water on it. Whether the water is due to rain, humidity, or some unfortunate event, you need to know what to do to prevent damage to your guitar.
If the guitar wood is wet, remember that you should re-acclimate the guitar gradually. Exposing the guitar to high temperatures to dry the wood out quickly may cause another problem. The glue can become soft and fail, and you may end up warping the fretboard.
Start drying the guitar with a hairdryer (on low setting) and keep the guitar out of its case in a low humidity environment. The guitar should hopefully dry out on its own, but unfortunately, there is no 100% foolproof solution to drying out a guitar after it has gotten soaked. If you have an electric guitar, you may need to remove the faceplate and quickly dry the switches with a towel. Remember, never play an electric guitar while it is wet if you want to avoid getting shocked.
One option that you may want to consider is purchasing a hygrometer. A guitar hygrometer will monitor the humidity of your guitar as you dehumidify it gradually. If you have an acoustic guitar, you can also use silica packs to trap moisture inside the guitar. Sun-drying for a few minutes daily can also help.
Final thoughts
To summarize, wooden guitars, unfortunately, are never waterproof. Hollow-body guitars are more susceptible to water damage than electric guitars, but water is the enemy of all wooden guitars. However, you will find that carbon fiber guitars are waterproof to an extent. The body and fretboard of a carbon fiber guitar will be waterproof, however, the strings and electronic components on an electric guitar remain susceptible to water damage.
To avoid water damage to your guitar, my recommendation is that you store your guitar in a waterproof case or at least a water-resistant case. If your guitar does get wet, take care to ensure that you are drying the guitar gradually, so as not to create any additional problems.
I hope this article was helpful, you can check out more tips and tricks for your guitar here!