I AM WORRIED ABOUT HUMIDITY! Ever since hearing from a customer in the mid-west about her pinecone uke popping a joint as a result of dry atmosphere and low humidity I have been on a bit of a crusade to educate myself on the matter. This I have learned. If you bring an acoustic instrument from a moist climate to a dry one you are apt to have serious trouble. If you live in a dry climate, a very cold climate, or an air conditioned house you owe it to your instruments to be aware of humidity. I recently bought a simple little device to record the humidity. It cost me $28.00, peanuts compared to damaging a fine instrument. I took this photo just now in my workshop. Humidity at 31%. I guess that is not threatening but I understand that 40 to 45% is ideal.
IF you fit into the threatened category above your solution is simple. 1. buy a humidity meter 2. buy a humidifier 3. keep your instrument in its case with a dampened humidifier to bring the humidity to 40%. Don't get it much more than that because that can cause trouble too.
A humidifier is a simple device, kind of like a sponge that holds water and passes it off slowly.
A humidifier is a simple device, kind of like a sponge that holds water and passes it off slowly.