Most wooden instruments fair best with relative humidity between 40 and 60%,
preferably as stable as possible at some level within that range. 50% is a
good level to shoot for, and one will use small sponge humidifiers or
desiccant pouches as needed to maintain that humidity. Planet Waves makes a
very good combination thermometer/hygrometer for instrument cases, and they
also have a good sponge humidifier which fits acoustic guitars. Very
fine-celled foam rubber sponge in a perforated baggie inside the case, kept
damp but not dripping, can serve just as well in most instances when
humidity needs to be increased. Desiccant sachets in the instrument case
serve the same purpose in reverse. The key is to keep an eye on it and
adjust as necessary.

--
Karin Conover-Lewis
Fair and Balanced since 1959
klc dot lewis at centurytel dot net


"Don W" wrote in message
...
Hmm... Don't think that dessicant is a good idea. A lot of expensive
guitars actually come with a
humidifier--a small leakproof bottle of water with a wick--which is to be
stored inside the guitar
body when it is in the case.

Of course, to much water--or sal****er--would not be good for the
instrument either. I'd think it
would be adequate to seal the instrument against outside water ingress,
and let it go at that. I
often take my guitar (Fender acoustic/electric) out on the boat in its
regular hardbody case. Of
course, I store it where it won't get wet from flying spray, drips, etc.
If I were going out in
blue water, I'd probably like to have a waterproof case for it. Lacking
that, I'd probably put it
in a plastic bag inside its case.

It would be neat if someone made a fairly heavy guitar shaped ziplog bag
;-)

Don W.

Phracktal wrote:

(Richard Malcolm) wrote in message
. com...

I am crusing for 2 weeks late July on a 41 ft Sailboat and will stop
halfway thru my trip in Bar Harbor, Me. to play drums at the Bar
Harbor jazz festival. (great to combine work and vacation). I am
wodering if any one has any ideas how I can protect my wooden snare
drum from all the moisture. I was thinking of putting it in a plastic
bag with something that absorbs moisture such as rice (like we do for
salt shakers) Any ideas? I guess I could take my metal snare instead.
thanks



i have the same concerns about my guitar and strings

i was thinking about making an fairly weather proof case and then
collecting all those stupid "do not eat" packages that you find in
pill bottles and throwing em in the case. the only problem is that i
dont know how long it would last.

i could use some ideas as well

chris