How badly can an upright be damaged by humidity in the air?

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

Originally Posted by masterforrest

Unfortunately, I'm in the midwest. Thus, I'm thinking about getting a hardcase to better seal in or out the humidity. Just not sure if that works.

I'm also in Kansas and have never had a problem. I use a portable humidifier in the winter and just try to keep it above 30%. Never even had a popped seam so maybe I'm just lucky.

[Square Bear]

Originally Posted by masterforrest

Unfortunately, I'm in the midwest. Thus, I'm thinking about getting a hardcase to better seal in or out the humidity. Just not sure if that works.

sorry for the confusion, i meant that comment for the OP. if you're in the midwest, you're best off keeping your instrument in a humidity controlled space. it would be wise to invest in a digital hygrometer and a room humidifier to keep in the room where you store your bass. even if you splurge and spend $100 to $200 on a good humidifier you've only spent a fraction of what a repair bill could be. better safe than sorry.

[AMJBASS]

Originally Posted by salcott

"The way Arnold Schnitzer fixed that problem was hysterical."

You put it out there-now you have to tell.

That post was from 2001!

[Square Bear]

good eye. i never notice when these old posts get dug up! i still want to know what arnold's solution was. please tell!

[groooooove]

Originally Posted by Blackbird

I consider myself very lucky living near the ocean. Unfortunately, I get worried that living in such a humid area will have a bad effect on my plywood upright. I keep thinking of the Jaco story in which the humidity in Florida made Jaco's upright fall to pieces. Is my bass in any sort of risk? what can I do to protect it? I tend to keep my bass out of its cover. Thanks.

Will C.

when i read the thead title, jaco's story came to mind immidately.

i have a feeling his bass was probably pretty junky, and not the durable plywood type of junky we're used to today.

i live 6 miles from the ocean. my plywood bass handles it just fine.

[Square Bear]

also, he was in florida. the humidity in the bay area is nothing like it is in florida.

[Dave Irwin]

It's the changes in humidity that stress the bass. (humid to dry mostly.) With a ply I wouldn't worry too much other than seams as mentioned but if you have an opportunity and have central air, look into a furnace humidifier. You run a line from your water tank to it so you don't have to worry about keeping it filled.
It's pretty easy to forget about your room humidifier and then your putting the bass more at risk.

Good luck,
Dave

[drurb]

Originally Posted by Dave Irwin

It's the changes in humidity that stress the bass. (humid to dry mostly.) With a ply I wouldn't worry too much other than seams as mentioned but if you have an opportunity and have central air, look into a furnace humidifier. You run a line from your water tank to it so you don't have to worry about keeping it filled.
It's pretty easy to forget about your room humidifier and then your putting the bass more at risk.

Good luck,
Dave

Agreed. Just as an FYI for anyone interested, these days, people install furnace humidifiers that don't have to be "filled" at all. Because of health risks, there's no more water tank. Rather, the supplied water cascades down a drip panel and flows into a drain. I have one such humidifier and also use a dedicated evaporative humidifier in the room where my bass lives.