Author: RobinDesHautbois
Date: 2010-11-23 10:26
I consulted with my brother, the forrestry engineer, again. We compared instrument cracking to hard-wood floors getting loose in the winter because:
1. that's something we both understand and it is visually clear what is happening
2. it provides a good understanding for the mechanics of what is actually happening
=> hard wood floors get loose in the winter and push against each other tight in the summer. Over here, we get cold dry air in the winter and hot humid air in the summer. I'm supposing its the same thing in Scandinavia and Siberia (please correct me if I'm wrong).
In agreement with the scientific studies (sorry, I don't have the references, but I can ask if anyone is interested), temperature is not the problem, but changes in humidity - however, the very numerous metal screws will contribute to cracking based on temperature: differences in expansion rates will add excess strain on the wood. All the cracks I have seen are around the octave and trill keys (many, many post screws there) and around the F# joint around the metal socket: even in the bell around the socket over the Bb hole.
The purpose of swabbing the instrument is not so much to reduce humidity, but rather that water leeches out natural elements of the wood: water "dries" the wood. So those of you with really old instruments that have never cracked and have never been oiled, it's probably due to good care.
This is probably why Laubin suggests waxing with Pledge sprayed on a feather. I can't find lanolin around here except for sckin care creams.... I'll continue to look (perhaps in automotive under rust-proofing?)
Thanks to everyone for a great discussion!
Robin Tropper
M.A.Sc., B.Mus., B.Ed.
http://RobinDesHautbois.blogspot.ca/music
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