storing a carved bass for 5 month

longfinger · #1 08-11-2010, 02:44 PM

Hi there,

I may be traveling soon and if that happens, I will have to store my two double basses essentially unsupervised to 5 months. I'm not worried about my plywood, but I am concerned of the carved roundback bass as the climate will be moving from summer to fall to early winter during this time.

Location to store: In an empty bed room. Family will be in the house, but not me.

Questions:

-Store in the gig case or store outside the gig case?
-If outside the case, is direct sunlight to be avoided?
-Indoor humidity is about 60% now, and will be about 40% by December when I return. Do I need to arrange for a room humidifier for November?
-Do I keep the strings at pitch or lower it a 1/4 tone? Obligatos are flakey this way.

Keeping the bass in the case could shield it for changes in room humidity and bumping / knocking. In the Fall, this could be good if the room becomes dry, or bad if a newly purchased room humidifier is trying the keep the room humid.

Suggestions? Other tips to do? I want to avoid any "Setup + Repair" issues when I get back.

Thanks!

keiranohara · #2 08-11-2010, 06:03 PM

I would say that in the case would be your best bet. It will provide protection from direct light, physical abuse, and help moderate changes in climate. The RH% you state of 60% - 40% is pretty good (But it is not so much the moisture itself, rather the change of state that can be damaging). Anything you can do to slow or moderate the transition from a humid to a dry state will be your best protection. If you are able to take an active roll and provide for dehumidification and humidification, it is a prudent step. Stake out your most stable corner and have fun on your trip.

eerbrev · #3 08-11-2010, 07:05 PM

I'd definitely go for the humidifier option. the only setback is you need to have someone you trust to come in on a regular basis and make sure it's doing its job.

I have obligatos on my spare bass at my parent's house (Going to university in another city) and with the humidifier I've never had a problem with my strings. I would detune them a bit. I usually do a full tone, not for any particular reason. I've never had a problem with them being flakey in this respect, though when I come back for christmas break they ARE usually in a dozen different shades of out of tune, so I guess user beware.

regards, and I hope you enjoy your trip,

Eerbrev

longfinger · #4 08-12-2010, 11:05 AM

thanks!

Square Bear · #5 08-13-2010, 05:04 PM

the change in humidity that you're talking about shouldn't be too much of a problem, maybe to be on the safe side, have a hygrometer that someone can look at every now and then in late november to make sure it's not dropping below 25-30ish... the real killer is heating. if you've got a furnace or radiators going in the winter they really suck all the moisture out of the air.

longfinger · #6 08-13-2010, 05:51 PM

The house is heated with electric baseboard heating. Humidity % can get pretty low indoors in February, like around 30%, but I'll be back before then to setup up a system that will keep the room above 40%. It's bad for the human skin to be so dry as well! ;-)

Thanks for the tips!