More humidity

klem.gote · #1 07-31-2011, 03:46 PM

Hi. Been reading about humidity and basses and I have a question I don't think I've run across yet. Let's say you have an outdoor gig. Going to be warm, out in the direct sun. Is there a certain hot, humid point where it gets too dangerous to use a carved bass? What about on the other end, cold and dry? Thanks!!!

HunterBrodt · #2 07-31-2011, 03:52 PM

See if you can have the person running the gig set up shade.

forester · #3 07-31-2011, 06:26 PM

rule of thumb...the discomfort you suffer/your instrument suffers.

klem.gote · #4 07-31-2011, 07:42 PM

Well yes, I'd thought about that, but some folks deal better with heat than others, some actually enjoy it!! And if it's going to be a hot day I can hydrate, not much I can do for my bass. Didn't know if maybe there was a point at which the glue or wood came into some real danger.

HunterBrodt · #5 07-31-2011, 07:59 PM

I've taken my 120 year old carved German bass outside and been fine. Try to feel the outside of your bass and see if it's getting really hot.

Also the shade idea was to help get your bass out of the direct sun... Consider getting yourself our of the sun a bonus.

forester · #6 07-31-2011, 08:49 PM

when you're entertaining thoughts of Gold Bond/cornstarch....think spoolclamps.

baileyboy · #7 07-31-2011, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by forester

rule of thumb...the discomfort you suffer/your instrument suffers.

+1 In the interest of protecting a prized bass, it might not be a bad idea to use a cheapo bass for a gig that has extreme weather...

drurb · #8 07-31-2011, 09:38 PM

I have an outdoor gig in August under a shaded space. I'm borrowing/renting a ply bass. No way my carved "child" will be out in that.

chris1125 · #9 07-31-2011, 09:56 PM

I think what he's asking is if there's an actual temperature or humidity level that will hurt your bass and the answer to that is no, it's different for every instrument. Keep in mind that not only is humidity bas for a carved instrument, but so is direct sunlight. It can ruin varnish just like it can burn your skin. Unfortunately, varnish doesn't heal like sunburn does. That being said, I've gone to camps where the only venues were outside and it got to be high temperatures with my carved shen. I found that if you keep the bass clean (that pops has a tendency to cook into the bass) and in the shade, you should be able to get through a gig jus fine. But if it is a very hot day, it's best to keep the good bass at home.

drurb · #10 08-01-2011, 11:29 AM

Another reason why absolute limits for temperature or level of humidity are of limited value is because it's sometimes rapid changes in those parameters that do the damage-- even when the changes occur within quite safe limits. Of course, there are "normal" limits to temperature and humidity but, as been pointed out, they vary from bass to bass. As has also been pointed out, a good rule of thumb is that if you're uncomfortable then so is your bass.

damonsmith · #11 08-02-2011, 04:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drurb

Another reason why absolute limits for temperature or level of humidity are of limited value is because it's sometimes rapid changes in those parameters that do the damage-- even when the changes occur within quite safe limits. Of course, there are "normal" limits to temperature and humidity but, as been pointed out, they vary from bass to bass. As has also been pointed out, a good rule of thumb is that if you're uncomfortable then so is your bass.

Agreed. Houston is solidly humid. My bass is way happier here than the SF bay area where things jumped around a lot.