Klarinet Archive - Posting 000492.txt from 2002/02

From: "Martha" <mwe.writer@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Re-humidifying a stored clarinet??
Date: Sun, 24 Feb 2002 16:03:15 -0500

Hello! I'm hoping that you can answer a couple of questions for me. I have
a wooden Buffet clarinet that I used to play in high school and college
(more than a decade ago). Since then, it has been sitting unused in a
closet here in southcentral Washington, which has hot dry summers and cold
dry winters.

I'd like to begin playing it again, but am extremely worried that the sudden
change in humidity if I play it will cause it to crack.

Is there anything I should do to re-humidify the clarinet before playing it,
so that it won't crack? Should I put it in a bathroom for a few hours after
running hot shower water? Should I use a case humidifier (such as the sort
used for guitars) ... and if so, for how long before I can play it? Or is
none of this necessary?

Thanks in advance if you can give me some advice!

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