NatalieS
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- Aug 4, 2008
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I keep my uke in the dining room, about five feet away from an open top freshwater aquarium. Being in Florida, I thought... this will surely provide the best humidity range for a uke, right? Right?
It turns out that, even in this situation, humidity fluctuates a lot! I recently bought several hygrometers for my pet reptiles and got an extra one to place by my uke. In the space of a week's time, ambient humidity in the house can fluctuate between 40-65%. I notice that during the 40% times, my uke sounds pretty bad: dull, quiet, no sustain. Almost like the strings have no sound quality whatsoever. Tonight, I picked up and started playing again. The uke sounded amaaaazing: loud, full, incredible sustain, very supple, and felt like the strings were looser. Ambient humidity was 55%.
Okay, I'm officially a believer in the power of humidity. And Auntie Em, I promise never ever to let my humidity go down to 40% ever again!
It turns out that, even in this situation, humidity fluctuates a lot! I recently bought several hygrometers for my pet reptiles and got an extra one to place by my uke. In the space of a week's time, ambient humidity in the house can fluctuate between 40-65%. I notice that during the 40% times, my uke sounds pretty bad: dull, quiet, no sustain. Almost like the strings have no sound quality whatsoever. Tonight, I picked up and started playing again. The uke sounded amaaaazing: loud, full, incredible sustain, very supple, and felt like the strings were looser. Ambient humidity was 55%.
Okay, I'm officially a believer in the power of humidity. And Auntie Em, I promise never ever to let my humidity go down to 40% ever again!