 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: corks&pads
Date: 2006-03-29 16:15
Not long ago I was in a popular chain pet supply store and saw that they sell a small digital humidity and temp measuring device for use in reptile habitats. Not a bad investment to put in the case of your wood clarinet. They seem to be fairly accurate and will give you an idea of what temp your instrument is when you open the case, as well as whether or not you need to put a humidifying device in with it (or maybe take one out).
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Author: HautboisJJ
Date: 2006-03-29 16:24
But...How does one know how much humidity is good for one's instrument in various different countries, conditions etc? Is there a standard for this supplied by manufacturers?
Howard
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2006-03-29 16:41
Small hygrometers (digital) are also available from tobacconists. They are inexpensive (ten bucks US or so)
The advantage of digital is that you do not need to reprogram them to 100% periodically as you do with the spring analog type.
They run off of a watch type battery which powers it for nearly a year.
Most show temperature as well as max/min temp and humidity since the time of their prior resetting. Most come with magnetic or velcro stick-ons.
Here is a larger version, but they come smaller. This one is for acoustic guitars:
http://us.st11.yimg.com/store1.yimg.com/I/1stopclarinet_1886_2726976
I keep a smaller version (1.5 x 1 inch x 1/4th inch or so) in my case and another where I store reeds.
I also have a credit card sized one on my wife's piano in the winter.
All are accurate to within a few percentage points.
Analog mini hygrometers are available from other sources, including, I believe, doctorsproducts (Omar Henderson) and craft stores.
Indicator types (paper that changes color) are available as well. I think Dampits come with them. They do not seem to last as long as the others, and are subject to interpretation.
Fancier models are obtained from woodworking outlets but are more specific for lumber and they are cumbersome.
A wise investment.
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
Post Edited (2006-03-29 16:46)
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2006-03-29 17:04
Well described, Alseg et al. At garage and auction sales, I've picked up a couple of wall-mounting triple "weather centers" for a small song, Temp in F and also in C, baro and hum. For calibration I watch TV local weather and Weather Channel and adjust to our average [40+%] humidities and NON-sea-level-corrected pressure [so I can predict storms in OK !!]. Works, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2006-03-29 17:05
http://www.littlehavanacigars.com/proddetail.asp?prod=HY1060LT
Keep it at 45% humidity
Avoid sudden changes in temperature.
I am NOT financially connected to this retailer and only use it as example.
Mark or Glenn please feel free to edit out the retailer name and just show the item. I wont whine.
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
Post Edited (2006-03-29 17:08)
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Author: corks&pads
Date: 2006-03-29 23:13
Keep it at 45% humidity. Avoid sudden changes in temperature.
Agreed. Somewhere between 45-50% humidity, out of sunlight, and about 70 degrees (Farenheit) is probably ideal for preserving wooden instruments. "Sudden changes" for a clarinet most often are when hot air (90+ degrees) is blown through the bore of a cold instrument--warming (expanding) the inside, while the outside is contracted due to the cold. Having a $10-12 digital instrument inside your case gives you a good idea what temperature the instrument actually is when you've had to take through cold weather.
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2006-03-30 01:11
It seems silly to store your instrument in a specific environment, only to pull it out into another environment and then blow through it! Isn't it MORE dangerous to take it quickly from one environment to another in this manner? Something I'm missing?
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Author: corks&pads
Date: 2006-03-31 16:36
It seems silly to store your instrument in a specific environment, only to pull it out into another environment and then blow through it! Isn't it MORE dangerous to take it quickly from one environment to another in this manner? Something I'm missing?
I'm not sure I understand your question. It could be taken to mean that you believe it better for the instrument to somehow get used to regular changes in temp and humidity. If that's the case, I'd disagree.
What we've been suggesting is that it be kept under close-to-ideal conditions as often as possible. Then, when you have to take it into a different environment, it's nice to have some idea how much difference that actually is. Let's say you had to leave your house, ride in a cold cab to a place where you will be performing, walk a distance outside on a below-freezing day, then go into a warm building. When you open your case, you will be able to get an idea how cold or warm your instrument actually is, rather than how you personnally might feel.
If it has gotten much colder (or warmer) than the conditions where you'll be playing, you'll want to let it warm up (or cool down) slowly before playing it. The temp gauge lets you see that, and the humidistat lets you keep track of how it's being stored over time--allowing you to make adjustments.
Sure, the clarinet going to need to go into different environments, but what most people here have described are not only good for long-term storage, but are relatively neutral conditions if you have to go from that to hotter or colder, more/less humid.
Thanks to 'Alseq' for pointing out the real tiny digital device that's on the market. The one I got is about the size of a pack of chewing gum that's half full.
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2006-03-31 17:27
The humidity and temp. change once it is out of the case, but you will be starting out with some "room to spare."
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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Author: D
Date: 2006-03-31 18:36
Personally I'd store it at a slightly higher humidity, you can probably get as far as 60% before you are at serious risk of mould, so storing at 50% and a bit would be fine. Then it has less adjustment to make when you slobber down it. Be aware that humidity detection is not as exact a science as it would seem. Many devices can only acurately detect to +- 5% anyway. Also, humidity detectors should be calibrated with delequescent salts every year to six months to be remotely accurate. I recently calibrated a load of museum grade detectors straight from the manufacture, and they all disagreed with each other. So while it is a nice idea to have a detector in your case, be aware that they aren't a failsafe and they certainly aren't perfect.
Post Edited (2006-04-01 09:09)
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Author: Don Poulsen
Date: 2006-03-31 20:21
When smoking is finally banned altogether, tobacconists can still make a living selling hygrometers and cigarette papers to clarinetists. And don't forget lighters for making emergency pad repairs. (Maybe humidors for reeds as well? Can cigar clippers be used as reed cutters?)
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Author: corks&pads
Date: 2006-04-02 01:16
When smoking is finally banned altogether, tobacconists can still make a living selling hygrometers and cigarette papers to clarinetists. And don't forget lighters for making emergency pad repairs. (Maybe humidors for reeds as well? Can cigar clippers be used as reed cutters?)
Just so long as we can still get high-proof alcohol for our repair lamps. I prefer Everclear--it gives a nice low-temp flame that doesn't discolor cups, and any leftovers mix nicely with orange juice. :-)
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