Costa Rica to New Mexico, from 100% to 0% humidity: will wood crack?

Invisible_Kid · #1 06-03-2011, 01:34 PM

So, some background. I'm here in Costa Rica visiting family, and I'm at my uncle's house. I play electric bass, and my uncle has an upright bass. He wants to get rid of it and I want it. He's happy to give it to me, as the cost of shipping it to the States is less than what that bass is worth.

However, we believe there might be a problem in shipping an upright from an environment of 100% humidity to an environment of 0% humidity (Albuquerque, New Mexico, my place of residence). I know that my father bought a classical guitar here in Costa Rica and the wood cracked when he brought it back to New Mexico.

So, as a total double bass beginner, what will happen in severe humidity/temperature changes with a double bass?

frank0stein2000 · #2 06-03-2011, 01:52 PM

Not sure, but if it's a free bass take it anyway. Even if it breaks at least you tried. Worse case scenario is you end up with nothing-which is what would happen if you didn't bring it anyway.

Invisible_Kid · #3 06-03-2011, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frank0stein2000

Not sure, but if it's a free bass take it anyway. Even if it breaks at least you tried. Worse case scenario is you end up with nothing-which is what would happen if you didn't bring it anyway.

Good philosophy, but I'd still like to make sure that there's little to no possibility for crackage. My uncle's getting a custom hardshell case made for it to ship on the plane, and I was thinking that there might be some sort of humidifier to keep the condition in check, like my father uses for his classical guitars.

spoonido · #4 06-03-2011, 03:00 PM

Seasonally speaking, you couldn't ask for a worse time of year to try this. Costa Rica enters its rainy season, and New Mexico enters its dry season. The contrasts are at their peak starting now. Maybe you should wait until December? At least it'll be cooler and more humid in New Mexico. Then the bass can adjust over time. Just an idea.

Invisible_Kid · #5 06-03-2011, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spoonido

Seasonally speaking, you couldn't ask for a worse time of year to try this. Costa Rica enters its rainy season, and New Mexico enters its dry season. The contrasts are at their peak starting now. Maybe you should wait until December? At least it'll be cooler and more humid in New Mexico. Then the bass can adjust over time. Just an idea.

Thanks. How much time do you think the bass would need to adjust?

spoonido · #6 06-03-2011, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Invisible_Kid

Thanks. How much time do you think the bass would need to adjust?

I haven't a clue, sorry. It's just one idea. Other ideas will follow, I'm sure. There's no shortage of opinion here!

But it makes sense to me. Costa Rica is dryer in winter, New Mexico is cooler and wetter. Seems like they would match up pretty nicely. I think the thing is "sudden" changes in temperature/humidity. Is shipping in general a "sudden" change? Hmmm....

bigfatbass · #7 06-03-2011, 03:23 PM

You will need to keep multiple humidifiers in there for the trip, and when it arrives. Gradually over a few months, ween the bass off the heavy humidity, a little at a time. I would freshen the humidifier pads at least once a day if not twice right out of the gate. You are right in assuming that a rapid drying out might cause trouble. We have no idea what the binding integrity is on this doghouse, or if it has a carved or plywood top, but it looks like you will get to find out!

Congrats on the family score. I hope it lasts you years and keeps the cool story of how you got it alive.

There is a local guy in my town with an international rep when it comes to these things. PM me and I can put you in contact with my buddy Harry.

Here is a link from another guru on the subject that might give you a better idea of what to consider:

HUMIDITY: Do you need to humidify your Upright Bass? - FAQ courtesy of GollihurMusic.com

Bob Gollihur is THE man.

Subscript · #8 06-03-2011, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Invisible_Kid

He's happy to give it to me, as the cost of shipping it to the States is less than what that bass is worth.

If the bass is really worth that little (less than a few thousand), it's probably made of plywood and you won't have to worry about the wood cracking. If it's fully carved, worry about the humidity.

Invisible_Kid · #9 06-03-2011, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Subscript

If the bass is really worth that little (less than a few thousand), it's probably made of plywood and you won't have to worry about the wood cracking. If it's fully carved, worry about the humidity.

Perhaps you misunderstood. I meant to say that the cost of shipping is around a hundred bucks, but to buy a bass new in the States would be much more. I said this to emphasize the greatness of the opportunity presented to me. I really have no clue how much the bass is worth, nor does my uncle.

Invisible_Kid · #10 06-03-2011, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigfatbass

You will need to keep multiple humidifiers in there for the trip, and when it arrives. Gradually over a few months, ween the bass off the heavy humidity, a little at a time.

How do I ween it off the humidity, and how much will I be able to play it out of the case in the first weeks?

salcott · #11 06-03-2011, 11:24 PM

Go by Robertson's and ask them what to do.

Invisible_Kid · #12 06-03-2011, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by salcott

Go by Robertson's and ask them what to do.

How have I been in Albuquerque for 13 years and never seen this place? Thank you.

Dilbertisme · #13 06-03-2011, 11:38 PM

Back in the early '90s, my wife and I moved from SoCal to Santa Fe, NM, where we lived for three years. She's an oboist, and her instrument -- totally stable for years -- cracked pretty badly. Musicians there call this a "New Mexico Welcome," which pretty much says it all. We also own a small harpsichord, and that suffered from shrinkage problems, too. If you do bring the bass home to the Land of Entrapment, take what precautions you can and hope for the best.

Michael Glynn · #14 06-03-2011, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Invisible_Kid

How have I been in Albuquerque for 13 years and never seen this place? Thank you.

Yeah, fortunately Albuquerque is a good place to be if you have double bass trouble. My bass was fine for about a year after I moved here and then half the seams popped open. Got it glued back and it's as good as ever.

bigfatbass · #15 06-04-2011, 06:45 AM

Quote:

How do I ween it off the humidity, and how much will I be able to play it out of the case in the first weeks?

Play it as much as you like, just store it in the case with the humidifiers. As far as the pace of lessening the moisture I don't really know.

Doing it too slowly can do no harm. Say start with 3-4 in there, and then very couple weeks go with one less until you are down to one.

And please note, if this is an all plywood bass you have very little to worry about. Our concern is only if you have a solid/carved top.

Eric Hochberg · #16 06-04-2011, 07:01 AM

You can also keep the bass in a room with a humidifier. 35-40% should be ok.

Invisible_Kid · #17 06-04-2011, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigfatbass

And please note, if this is an all plywood bass you have very little to worry about. Our concern is only if you have a solid/carved top.

How do I find this out?

Eric Hochberg · #18 06-04-2011, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Invisible_Kid

How do I find this out?

Take it to Robertson's for a going over.

Invisible_Kid · #19 06-04-2011, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric Hochberg

Take it to Robertson's for a going over.

The bass is in Costa Rica. Robertson's is in Albuquerque. The whole reason I'd need to take the bass to Robertson's is to find out how I need to take the bass to Robertson's.

rjspear · #20 06-04-2011, 05:01 PM

Detune the bass, and if there is a local luthier, have him open the seams before you ship. The seams between the top and the ribs are critical, but generally they are the easiest to open. Leave the top glued down on the blocks. Do the same on the back seams, if possible. If it is going badly, stop and ship the bass. More you cannot do. I would not recommend humidifying the bass before you ship from a humid climate. If the shipment is delayed, the humidity levels inside the shipping crate will become tropical. Good luck!