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TSSN - Posted - 02/06/2011: 12:05:05
'Tis the season when questions arise about low humidity. There has already been one thread on this topic, but no thread is ever exhaustive (and this one won't be either, I'd wager). In any event, I have spent some time searching high and low for reputable links regarding humidification and stringed instruments. I'm sure I have missed many, so feel free to point out what I may have missed. Anyway, a start to the list...
- Larrivee Guitars, via The Musician's Workshop: musiciansworkshop.com/humidity.html
- "Drying Times" by Richard Ward in Strings magazine: stringsmagazine.com/issues/str...ment.html
- "An Easy Guide to Humidity Control" by Jason Brisoff: makingmusicmag.com/forte/humid...trol.html
- Another nice Folk of the Wood missive: folkofthewood.com/page4110.htm
- An interesting related link from Stoneman Guitars: angelfire.com/pa2/STONEMANGUIT...dity.html
(Interestingly, there are surprisingly few references to older or current books or other printed materials on this topic. Those would be a great addition as well...)
Woodman - Posted - 02/06/2011: 16:18:55
Thanks TSSN. They were all good information. I live in a high humidity climate, but with central air and heat and have had a guitar develop problems that were probably humidity related.
The best solution I saw among the articles, IMO, was the Humidipak because it works both directions to stabilize humidity in the case. They don't seem too expensive. Do you or anyone else have any experience with them you could relate?
TSSN - Posted - 02/07/2011: 06:55:55
Hey Woodman. Just doing my part. Hope it helps.
My issue is always humidity being too low, so I have no experience with the Humidipak.
Folkmusician - Posted - 02/07/2011: 07:50:31
Right around this time every year, is our peak for calls regarding minor buzzing and sometimes worse. Our humidifier holds 5 gallons of water. It is surprising how often it needs to be filled to maintain right around 50% humidity. It can be raining, and the humidifier still kicks in now and again.
My feedback on the Humidipak is great. I would highly recommend it.
SDenizen - Posted - 02/11/2011: 18:12:55
All great info TSSN, thanks for posting! I live in a high humidity area (Tennessee) and like much of the country it's been unusually cold here and very dry this winter. I just started looking into humidification and am beginning to see the wisdom in finding a case humidity control.
Mandolin Ant - Posted - 02/14/2011: 06:31:51
I'm still having problems. My guitar is really hurting. I'm used a ziplock bag with holes and a damp sponge in the case with NO results. The Wood has constricted so much the bottom E and B strings won't even ring when played open. Should I look at getting a "real" humidifiier for the room, or am I going to have to replace the bridge??
Gerry Cassidy - Posted - 02/14/2011: 08:25:58
quote:
Originally posted by Mandolin Ant
I'm still having problems. My guitar is really hurting. I'm used a ziplock bag with holes and a damp sponge in the case with NO results. The Wood has constricted so much the bottom E and B strings won't even ring when played open. Should I look at getting a "real" humidifiier for the room, or am I going to have to replace the bridge??
This always sounded pretty risky to me and I would be leery of trying it, but some folks have tried the trick of running the shower, or filling the tub with hot water only, putting the instrument on a stand in the bathroom and closing the door for a few hours approach. I've never done it before, but have read about folks doing it on the other acoustic instrument forums.
You can get a very nice room humidifier in the $70-$100 range that will keep a medium sized room at good moisture levels. I have a Bionaire BCM658-U.
I live in Gilbert, Arizona. The annual humidity average here is 6%.
My studio/music room is approximately 400SQF and the unit maintains the room at 45% humidity. I need to refill the container every 3-4 days. The filter needs cleaning every 3-4 weeks.
Edited by - Gerry Cassidy on 02/14/2011 08:53:48
Jerry Schoenborn - Posted - 02/15/2011: 05:37:16
A lot of fiddle players keep a large piece of sliced apple in a perferated baggie in the instrument case The apple gives off moisture as it drys out. Keeps the case smelling good too!
Gerry Cassidy - Posted - 02/15/2011: 08:47:44
quote:
Originally posted by Jerry Schoenborn
A lot of fiddle players keep a large piece of sliced apple in a perferated baggie in the instrument case The apple gives off moisture as it drys out. Keeps the case smelling good too!
I really like the idea of the case smelling like apple, but I would also be concerned as apples have a fair amount of citric acid in them. I'd think that wouldn't be very friendly to the finish of the instrument.
Mandolin Ant - Posted - 02/16/2011: 06:16:41
I'm gettin' a humidifier. My Mandolin seems to be holding out pretty good, but it's killing me with my guitar. I can't even play it.
Jerry Schoenborn - Posted - 02/17/2011: 04:33:26
Yeah Gerry, I don't think I would let the apple come in contact with the instrument. I know from experience that tequila will eat a fiddle finish FAST!
mandoteacher - Posted - 02/22/2011: 06:38:38
haven't thought about it much with mandolins
TSSN - Posted - 12/19/2012: 07:26:50
With winter upon us, humidity again becomes a problem (unless those pesky Mayans were right). So, I am bumping this back up with another offering I found from a custom violin builder:
burgessviolins.com/humidity.html
The part on hygrometers is especially revealing. I use them professionally, and he is correct in that no one makes an accurate one that is inexpensive. (There is always the sling psychrometer, but that seems to require more effort than people want to expend. Grandma was right, you get what you pay for....)
TSSN - Posted - 09/24/2013: 04:14:34
It's fall again, and this topic is bound to resurface. There isn't a lot new that has been said on this topic (though many of the original links I posted are now broken), but it was worth a look around, and I found this article from Taylor recently.
Also, I have found what is perhaps the best humidity meter, for the price: the HOBO UX100-003 . (NFI)
TSSN - Posted - 12/19/2014: 20:48:00
'Tis the season for reminders...
