 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: wjk
Date: 2005-04-14 21:54
I starting to use a humistat in my clarinet case----should it be placed on its side or can it be standing? Does the water level have to contact the cotton below the vent holes?
Thanks!
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Author: Ben
Date: 2005-04-16 20:55
I would recommend filling it up completely with water before putting the top on, which would create a seal and force a little water out the other end, and dampen the cotten. Make sure it doesn't drip , as some seem to do that and that could hurt the clarinet (some I guess some were not built well as others). If it is okay, I would just set it on its side, perhaps in one of the spots for an extra barrel or where the extra mouthpiece could set in your case.
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-04-17 21:55
Soak the new humistat in a cup of water for about an hour or more (overnight is fine) with the top off before putting it in your case. That will prepare the cotton to absorb the water properly. Otherwise if you don't soak it, the cotton will take many days to soak properly and do it's job. When you fill it with water you need to put the cap on for the water to not leak out - when water is coming out of the bottom without the cap on it is doing it's proper job. When it is brand new and the cotton is not soaked yet, it won't run water out of it's bottom holes - that must occur for it to work fully.
Never stand the humistat up for using it! The water must be in contact with the cotton for it to work properly. Otherwise the cotton will dry out and it won't work. Just place it in your case near your top joint (near the top pads) on it's side and it will be fine there.
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Author: OpusII
Date: 2005-12-07 08:00
David,
Normally I leave my case open when I'm at home, Is it better to keep the case closed if you use the humistat? And what is the best humidity level for a clarinet?
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-12-07 10:49
Keeping the case open when you are home is the worst thing you can do as there is zero humidity assistance - must be closed for any humidifier to work. The home humidifiers just aren't enough (if you are in a cold area).
The new humistats (darker glass) are made of Lexan and they don't leak at all. Older models some cracked and that was a cause of leaking.
Omar can better answer on the humidity level than I can - I would think around 50% or so, but not sure. I gauge it by the Clarinet itself (if there is moisture on the clarinet it would be way too humid a level). That used to happen with the dampits, or they would dry out too rapidly so either too humid or too dry.
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Author: OpusII
Date: 2005-12-07 11:03
Thanks for the answer,
The musicshop that sold me my clarinets told me to always leave the case open at night..... but after two cracked clarinets I'm searching for a better solution
I received today two humistats (new model) and a hygrometer, so I'm going to humidify my clarinet. Will let you know what I think of it.
Eddy
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-12-07 11:16
That's as bad advice as putting a dampit inside the Clarinet!
You don't want to leave your case open even in the summertime as your Clarinet will get dust on it. Also, the keys will tarnish easily too. (use a silver strip or silver protector so that your keys won't tarnish).
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-12-07 11:19
Here's the wierd thing (psychic)
When I woke up this morning, the first thing I though of was "I need to order another humistat".
Then I saw this thread which was sent to my email. The thread was from April.
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