Cold Temps & Low Humidity - what to do to preserve your acoustic instruments

If you own acoustic string instruments, better make sure you control the humidity in your studio. This cold weather brings arid air which can cause your instrument to crack. If your house has forced hot air heat, the air will be even drier.... this is bad for instruments made of wood. Either the top (soundboard) or seams can split open. That is ABGs, Double Bass, Acoustic Guitars, any violin family member, even the soundboard of your acoustic piano. Even if you are playing solid body instruments, low humidity causes frets to sprout as the fingerboard shrinks from low humidity.

Most instrument showrooms or studios will maintain 40%-45% relative humidity.

35% is where I want to average my instruments because rapid drastic changes in humidity are hazardous to your instrument. By keeping my basses a little dryer (35%), they are less likely to have a problem when I bring them into a club or concert where there is no consideration given to how humid the air is and you can easily encounter a considerable drop in humidity. If your instruments live at home only, 40%-45% is where you want to keep them.

Its a really good ideal to buy a hygrometer and room humifier with a humidistat to protect your valuable instruments from damage and expensive repairs -

This has been a been a public service annuouncement!

 

24% is not good, not only for your instruments, but your sinuses too. How big a space are you trying to cover?
Essick MA1201 humidifier
This will cover 3600 sq ft, so it says. Its got a humidistat and sells for $99 (Consumer Report best buy rated console humdifier) Buy your instruments a Christmas present.