Klarinet Archive - Posting 000780.txt from 1999/06

From: Sfdr@-----.com
Subj: Re: [kl] Humidity and Crack Prevention
Date: Sat, 26 Jun 1999 09:53:58 -0400

In a message dated 6/25/99 11:29:09 AM EST, zatews@-----.net writes:

<< I have often read that you should put orange peels in your clarinet case
in order to keep the humidity at ~50%. Has anyone ever heard of using a
dampit (which is used by violin and viola players, to name a few, to
control humidity)?

*Michelle*

>>
This posting might be of help to you. Here are a few suggestions for wood
care and crack prevention that my repair teacher, W. Hans Moennig recommended:

1. Play the horn every day for at least 30 minutes to keep moisture
in the wooden body!!!!! Most important rule of all!!!!!

2. Use a humidifier to supplement the moisture of the horn.
Suspension humidifiers work better than dampets as they do not come in direct
contact with the wooden instrument body thus causing stress.

3. Always store the horn in a wooden cabinet or desk drawer to
insulate it from outside humidity changes.

4. When Traveling store the instrument in an ice chest to prevent
temperature exposer. (No ice please)

5. If using orange peelings (A natural humidifier) Please allow the
peelings to dry at least 12 hours before use. Never allow peelings to touch
the keys as citrus acid will cause plating to oxidize, corrode or even flake
off. Store peeling in a reed slot and not on wood as mold can occur.

6. Never store the instrument near heaters, air conditioners, or even
air vents as this will dry the wood to quickly and add even more stress.

7. Use a wooden instrument case with a heavily insulated case cover.

8. Never leave your horn idled out of the case for more than two
hours as this will cause the outside wall to dry faster than the inside bore.
(Stress)

9. Never leave your horn on an instrument stand as the bore will not
dry on the peg and the tenons corks will compress and become loose.

10. Leave the swab in the case and NOT in the bore. The extra
moisture will help. And the horn will dry internally. Pull through silk
swabs are recommended instead of the stick type.

11. Use a light bore spray or Almond oil and not the gummy
commercial bore oils from music stores.

12. Blow the tone holes dry before placing the instrument in case as
swabs do not remove water from tone holes, only the bore.

13. Use wood wedges to prop open trill and G# keys. This will allow
the horn to dry more evenly and reduce wood stress. Recommended by Dr. Dan
Ross, Oboe Professor at Arkansas State University.

For more suggestions and an illustrated sheet on Woodwind Care and
Crack Prevention, Please E mail your street address to:

Alvin Swiney
Affordable
Music CO.
P. O. Box 4245
Virginia
Beach, VA 23454
757-412-2160
fax 412-2158
Email
sfdr@-----.com

Good Luck,
Alvin Swiney

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