Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2012-01-29 19:19
@ Oboe Dad "Last question: Do folks think that, in the tight, well-compartmentalized confines of an oboe case, the humidity from a Humistat of Dampit really circulates all throughout the case?""
I have long had serious doubts about the efficacy of a Humistat in the case. I used to keep a hygrometer in the case, and I did not ever find that the interior humidity in the case was any different than the ambient humidity of the room.
OTOH, I tried something different this year, and I can tell you that it is pretty certainly enhancing the humidity of the wood. Let me preface this a little by saying that the most obvious sign I have observed of oboe wood shrinkage during the winter heating months is that the metal ring on my oboe bell will always become loose.
This year, it got loose again in December, right on schedule. Then just this month, I started using a product called "Water Pillows Portable Humidifier" in the case http://www.waterpillowsinfo.com After just two weeks, the bell ring is tight again!
This product is designed for use in cigar humidors. One "pillow" is said to be good for 60 - 90 days use. It is small, very cheap, watertight, easy to use, and apparently EFFECTIVE!! You just dip the thing in distilled water (per package instructions), and you are good to go. I have them in all my lesser-used instrument cases, as well as in my main double oboe/EH case.
Susan
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