 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: ChrisArcand
Date: 2007-11-09 20:57
And now, tis time for the final, definitive question on humidity/oiling. I've looked at stuff for the past year, maybe two, and now I'm going to have it sorted out for final.
1) In the same way as my instructor, I do not plan on oiling my horns, unless they look extremely dry. (Why? Many reasons, but the main being I play so often that it should be getting plenty enough moisture already...anyway that's final, don't bother bringing it up.)
2) Although contrary to what my instructor does, I would very much like to humidify my case.
I post this final thread because I now have specific equipment in mind. I've had this phobia about figuring out how to humidify cases EVENLY and not only have one part of the horn moist and the other not and cracking, etc, over humidifying, etc.
So! Here's my situation:
I would NOT like to use those Dampit humidifiers. The stories of the rubber being horrible for the keywork etc don't sit well with me.
I have found the small plastic capsules (I forgot what they're called) seem the safest and most efficient.
I have a cigar case hygrometer, and I believe it to be the most accurate (when tuned correctly, which I understand how to do).
So! Here's my question, and I ask this now because I now have a case that many people have and so I can have much better answers due to the fact that I don't need to describe my concerns/its shape and whatnot:
****I have this hygrometer and a few humidifiers, and a Standard Buffet Double Case, briefcase style (Bb/A) ...Where should I put everything?****
I want to evenly distribute moisture to both of the horns and have an accurate measurement from the hygrometer.
Thanks,
CA
PS: I'm assuming all the Buffet Double Cases are pretty much the same, with the 4? barrel slots, two mouthpieces, the place for music on the top have of the case, with the big slot in the front for accessories, etc. If this isn't COMPLETELY obvious as to what my case looks like, let me know and I'll take pictures.
As I said, this is important to me and I want to be sure I can be doing the best possible thing for my very *NOT* cheap horns.
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2007-11-09 22:48
Chris,
I have a reed humidor that I've made. The humidifying element humidifies evenly throughout the humidor...which has twice the total amibient volume of the case that you describe.
I would imagine that if you place your capsules either in the long storage slot, or in the barrel/mouthpiece spots and place the hygrometer on the opposite side of the case you would have the optimal set up...or would soon find out if you didn't!
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: skygardener
Date: 2007-11-10 00:20
It doesn't matter. The moisture will go through anything. I did an experement with 2 hydrometers- one in a plastic 'ziploc' bag with tuct tape over the 'zipper' and one not- both were placed in a large box (.6meters x .6m x 1.5m) next to eachother. In the box far from the hydrometers were wet sponges. They both went in the box reading 25%- the regular hydrometer read about 85% after 1 day- the one in the bag read 85% after 10 days.
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2007-11-10 20:53
Just be sure to slobber all over the outside of your clarinet to keep the moisture balanced across the thickness of the wood.
Wet and swollen inner wood fibers + dry and shrunken outer wood fibers = large tensile forces in the outer surface of the instrument: CRACKO!
Bob Phillips
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2007-11-10 23:12
Put your humidity nearest the upper joint where the top most pad is. That's the spot which will crack first.
Sounds like you are using a humistat - yes? (see their site with the picture on it, or if the top of the vial has a name on it)
For a double case I would use 2 of them but have a humidity gauge to make sure that there isn't too much of a good thing.
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: ChrisArcand
Date: 2007-11-10 23:34
Hmm well I think putting the humistats in the barrel slots at the top of the upper joints of the horns sounds like an excellent idea, then.
Does the location of the hygrometer matter? Where should I put it, will the reading be less or more accurate depending on the proximity to the humistats? (Yes I acknowledge your post, skygardner, I'm just wondering other opinions)
CA
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Author: skygardener
Date: 2007-11-11 01:38
as a PS- I should menton that that experement was with a box that was closed for 2 weeks, not a clarinet case that is often opened; effectivly changing all the air.
For me, I have a sponge in a plastic vial and I put it anyplace, but I try to keep it towards the middle of the case. This is in my case all year. I have never had a crack in the 6 years since I started doing that. If I start using a clarinet that has been sitting around for a while, I will put the vial in the case for 1-2 weeks before I start playing.
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