rreffner
Well-known member
I found this while surfing the web. It is a cut & paste (not my own creation). I post it here for FYI and discussion.
Does my instrument need a humidifier? What kind should I use? How do I know if it is working? First of all let me say that people living on the upper gulf coast don't need humidifiers. Having said that, I will admit that with modern climate controls there are possibly many needs for a humidifier to keep your guitar, mandolin or what ever from drying out. But how do we know if we need one, or if it is working?
Here is one solution.
1. buy an apple (preferably a crisp one, a cooking apple).
2. cut it neatly into two halves.
3. eat one half.
4. place the other half in the "string compartment" of your case.
That's it, you are done except for looking at it periodically.
If you do NOT need a humidifier the apple half will mildew. So throw it away and try again in a few months. If you DO need a humidifier the apple half will slowly dry out over a period of months. It will release the proper amount of moisture for your instrument and make your case smell nice and fresh. In a typical New England winter with steam heat you may go through two or even three apple halves as they dry out and shrivel up. Down here one half will probably last all winter.
The only problems that I see for this solution are that there is no hype involved, and it is not particularly expensive.
Does my instrument need a humidifier? What kind should I use? How do I know if it is working? First of all let me say that people living on the upper gulf coast don't need humidifiers. Having said that, I will admit that with modern climate controls there are possibly many needs for a humidifier to keep your guitar, mandolin or what ever from drying out. But how do we know if we need one, or if it is working?
Here is one solution.
1. buy an apple (preferably a crisp one, a cooking apple).
2. cut it neatly into two halves.
3. eat one half.
4. place the other half in the "string compartment" of your case.
That's it, you are done except for looking at it periodically.
If you do NOT need a humidifier the apple half will mildew. So throw it away and try again in a few months. If you DO need a humidifier the apple half will slowly dry out over a period of months. It will release the proper amount of moisture for your instrument and make your case smell nice and fresh. In a typical New England winter with steam heat you may go through two or even three apple halves as they dry out and shrivel up. Down here one half will probably last all winter.
The only problems that I see for this solution are that there is no hype involved, and it is not particularly expensive.