stupid question ... but

[Bersly]

I just bought my son a bass and a case. The hard case had a couple of packets in it to wick out moisture. Any harm in leaving them in the case with the bass in it?

 

[Jonny B]

nope

 

[EagleMoon]

The only harm might be if you have a cat or dog that gets in there and eats it. I think they're poisonous.

 

[purfektstranger]

I wouldn't worry about it unless you live somewhere where there is extremely high humidity. I think those packets are intended to see the bass to its' owner and that's about it.
Not a stupid question by the way.

 

[meev992]

haha, I believe there's a prominent "Silica Gel - do not consume" warning on those

 

[mntngrown]

Those are dessicants and they have the ability to absorb moisture to some degree thus protecting nearby items from said moisture to the degree that they work. Short term at best. (found in your vitamin jars etc.) No long term solution for humid environments, but no threat to anything either.

 

[lug]

You want your bass to be in an environment that matches the evironment outside the case. The packets are for shipping when a lot of different humidity levels could be encountered. I believe they are pretty temporary anyway, but in theory it's best for the bass to be acclimated to it surroundings with the least amount of delta going in and out of the case. This is why we tend to leave instruments in cases until the've had time to temperature adapt somewhat.

 

[stedtale]

nope. but don't eat 'em, trust me.

 

[Bubba Love]

Personally I always throw them away as soon as I find them, the possibility of a pet or child eating them and having their insides dry up is enough to persuade me!

 

[ggunn]

The only harm might be if you have a cat or dog that gets in there and eats it. I think they're poisonous.

It's just silica gel; I don't believe it's toxic. The packets sometimes have DO NOT EAT printed on them, but no toxicity warnings. They put silica gel dryers in prescription pill bottles; they couldn't do that if the stuff was poisonous.

 

[stedtale]

http://science.howstuffworks.com/question206.htm

 

[ehque]

my friend left a BIG packet of the stuff in his acoustic guitar and the wood cracked after a while. I dont think those little ones could make a difference, but remove them anyway, they aren't useful once they've absorbed all the water they can handle.

 

[Scott in Dallas]

If you do, make sure to follow all the instructions on the package carefully.

 

[Jonny B]

nope. but don't eat 'em, trust me.

That sounds like an amusing story.