The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: gsurosey
Date: 2011-02-23 16:11
I don't think the pill bottle approach is working (holes in the cap with a damp sponge in it). According to my hygrometer, no humidity changes. I wonder if when the case is closed, the inside isn't open to what I'm trying to do (the bottle is enclosed in the accessory slot). What else can I do? I've heard mixed reviews on commercial products (Dampit, etc). Most of what I've heard is that those things don't work or don't work well.
When I move next week, I'm going to try leaving my case open with my humidifier running in a closed room. Will this help?
Rachel
PS: I've heard the orange peel suggestion a lot, but I can't do that. I'm very sensitive to citrus; ingesting it makes me sick and even the smell of oranges makes me nauseaous.
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Author: TianL
Date: 2011-02-23 16:44
i use a dampit in my bam case. not sure how well it works, but i do find out that the dampit is dried out every night. so i suppose it's doing the job.
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Author: kilo
Date: 2011-02-23 16:56
Quote:
I'm going to try leaving my case open with my humidifier running in a closed room. Will this help?
That should work fine; unless it has an airtight seal, you don't even have to leave the case open. Get your RH above 40% and you shouldn't have to increase the moisture level in your case.
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2011-02-23 17:28
Humistats work fine. Place one in each bell.
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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Author: grifffinity
Date: 2011-02-23 19:56
Quote:
PS: I've heard the orange peel suggestion a lot, but I can't do that. I'm very sensitive to citrus; ingesting it makes me sick and even the smell of oranges makes me nauseaous.
Too bad, because I find this works really well for me as the peel retains moisture better than a sponge (what is inside a dampit). I will say, it doesn't have to be an orange. You could use lemon or grapefruit (In fact I currently have lemon peel in my reed bag)....but it's all citrus...
With the humidifier in the room, you don't have to leave the case open. Actually, I'd advise against it because sometimes if it over humidifies (which can happen with a cheaper water/fan model) and it happens to be cold, you can get a damp film covering everything.
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2011-02-23 22:05
http://www.humistat.com[\url] is their website and they have free shipping.
It holds a lot more water than the Dampit holds, and has adjustable setting which releases either more, or less humidity. Fill, and use up to 5-6 days per adding water.
Disclaimer:
I'm friends with the owner.
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: TianL
Date: 2011-02-24 06:57
hmmm at least for me, the humistat #1 didn't work very well. i mean.. i had it at the maximum opening level, but the water just never seemed evaporated much or at all.. i think the contact area with air is just too small.
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2011-02-24 12:24
Two reasons water would not be released - either the cotton at the top of the humistat didn't get wet ( new humistat I suggest leaving in a cup of water with the cap off so that the cotton will get saturated), or the humidity level was already high enough.
Soaking it before initial use makes a big difference.
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: CWH
Date: 2011-02-24 12:51
The old Rx bottle is effective yet inexpensive alternative remedy. I do have to ask, how often are you moisten the sponge? If it’s not every 2-3 days perhaps there is not enough holes in the bottle. With such a large case and all the absorbing wood, perhaps two bottles are warranted.
Study, Practice, Play and Enjoy.
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Author: xarkon
Date: 2011-02-24 13:24
I use two humistats in my BAM double case, one at each end of the accessory slot. They are empty within about a week.
Dave
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2011-02-24 13:33
You really can not tell if your humidification is working unless you measure it.
Analog hygrometers are finicky and need to be calibrated.
Best bet IMO are the relatively inexpensive digital hygrometers you can get from online cigar stores. They are small and fairly accurate.
You would be surprised how much H2Ovapor is present after the humistats equilibrate.....and be sure to soak them about 20min. when you first get them.
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2011-02-24 13:42
The way to tell that the humistat is wet enough for the cotton to be saturated (so it works) is to fill it with water, keep the cap off (which seals it so no water can leak) and if water comes out of the bottom of it (where the holes are) it is working correctly. If the cotton is still dry, no water will come out, and it won't be ready to work.
I tell my students to soak it for 3 hours as I find that just aj hour isn't enough for the initial wetting.
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: salzo
Date: 2011-02-25 09:58
I use velcro and attach the humistadts next to each mouthpiece cut out.
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