Protecting a musical intrument from moisture
 

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

Protecting a musical intrument from moisture
 

Richard,

I think that your idea of the metal snare might be the best answer. I do not
know if you have cruised along the coast of Maine before but we can have
weeks of fog and you and your drum could be in 100% humidity for your whole
trip. The idea of a desiccant in a bag may work but if you have an option
why risk a valuable instrument?

Ansley Sawyer
SV Pacem

Protecting a musical intrument from moisture
 

"Richard Malcolm" wrote in message
om...
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

As a trombonist (not going on the boat) and a woodwinder (recorders - going
on the boat instead), I have some feel for your dilemma.

If you're concerned only about the time in transport (vs what happens when
you get there, which is another story entirely), a very tightly sealed
plastic bag, evacuated as much as possible (a vacuum cleaner, or, better, a
shop-vac stuck in the end until the plastic bag looks like the drum) should
work.

As insurance, were it me, I'd first put in as much desiccant as you can come
up with (like the packets that come in shipped electronics). That you
considered rice tells me you don't use commercial desiccants aboard, which
is another whole subject.

So...

You can buy desiccant in bulk. While we've not yet launched, we'll have the
equivalent of potpourri bags, but with desiccant in them, hung in the
closets over the rods. Not a bad idea for sailboats in all weather
conditions, that would allow you to use some of that for your bag.

Now, as to the type of snare - if you were really concerned about moisture,
I'd be more worried about the metal snare. Wood, absent dunking, allowed to
rest for a time, will return to ambient moisture levels, such as when you're
ashore for the gig. However, it won't rust or corrode. So, that's what I'd
take, were it I who was drumming.

Hope that helped...

L8R

Skip


--

Morgan 461 #2
SV Flying Pig
http://tinyurl.com/384p2

"And then again, when you sit at the helm of your little ship on a
clear night, and gaze at the countless stars overhead, and realize
that you are quite alone on a great, wide sea, it is apt to occur to
you that in the general scheme of things you are merely an
insignificant speck on the surface of the ocean; and are not nearly
so important or as self-sufficient as you thought you were. Which is
an exceedingly wholesome thought, and one that may effect a
permanent change in your deportment that will be greatly appreciated
by your friends." - James S. Pitkin

Protecting a musical intrument from moisture
 

Protecting a musical intrument from moisture
 

DONT USE DESICCANT
Imagine what will happen when the normal moisture is drawn from the
cellular structure of the wood - CRACK, especially if the drum is made
from laminated pieces. Silica Gel can reduce the moisture content to
virtuallly 'bone dry' (-40deg. dewpoint).

Best is to wrap in *cotton* blankets, then place in a large thick
walled poly bag and suck the air out with a vacuum cleaner, etc. This
will "preserve" the ambient humidity. Besides, if its a 'well made'
instrument, 100% humidity shouldnt hurt it. I sometimes carry a curly
maple banjo and have had no problems; I just drop the head tension ...
and then spend hours retuning and cussing.




In article , Richard
Malcolm wrote:

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

Protecting a musical intrument from moisture
 

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

Protecting a musical intrument from moisture
 

Well I'm no expert ... but I would think the wood used would be very dense
.... perhaps so dense as to be as good as impervious to the humidity?

"Richard Malcolm" wrote in message
om...
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

Protecting a musical intrument from moisture
 

On 9 Jun 2004 07:20:38 -0700, something compelled
(Richard Malcolm), to say:

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.

Send it FedEx to some trustworthy person at the festival, and
then send it home.

Protecting a musical intrument from moisture
 

thanks everyone
It is great to see how many boater have musical instruments on board.
Really cool. As for me, I just got another call to do a dixieland gig
at a club that is on the water just about 2.5 hours away. Hope I can
find some dock space near by. I don't worry to much on these one
nighters about the drums.
it seems that a lot of us have the same concerns about our intruments.
Would love to hear more.

Protecting a musical intrument from moisture
 

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

Protecting a musical intrument from moisture
 

On Wed, 9 Jun 2004 21:55:52 -0500, "Karin Conover-Lewis"
wrote:

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.

I use the Planet Waves product on my Larrivee acoustic (pricy) and can
recommend it. I have a Speedtech recording barometer with humidity
reading I take off the boat when on the hard (winter) and judge how
often to refill the humidifier by that.

Of course, on board, usually TOO MUCH humidity is the issue. Cat
litter is a good dessicant, so I am told, but silica gel is probably
better and less dusty when packed in porous plasticized cloth.

I believe these packets can be dried in a low (150 F) oven or in a
microwave to "discharge" them of moisture.

R.

Protecting a musical intrument from moisture
 

On Thu, 10 Jun 2004 00:10:24 -0400, something compelled rhys
, to say:

I use the Planet Waves product on my Larrivee acoustic (pricy) and can
recommend it.

You take your Larrivee out on the boat?

I decided that the best protection for my Breedlove was the
purchase of a Takamine.

Protecting a musical intrument from moisture
 

On Wed, 09 Jun 2004 22:16:41 -0700, "Steve Daniels, Seek of Spam"
wrote:

I decided that the best protection for my Breedlove was the
purchase of a Takamine.

You have a Breedlove? How do you like the JLD bridge system? I have an
Alverez 12-string (not the best I know, but I love the different tone
from the cedar) that started to develop a warped top and was thinking of
going to the JLD. I fixed it without doing that but now, just to help
prevent it from warping too quickly again, I only tune it to Eb. With
the JLD I can probably keep it in E but I'm worried about the tone.

Steve

Protecting a musical intrument from moisture
 

My Charvel 625c lived with me on my first boat for four years (kept in its
hard-shell case), and it never suffered a bit. But I would have to think
long and hard before taking my Everett aboard for more than a day or two,
and even then wouldn't as long as I have my Charvel. The heat and humidity
aboard vary entirely too much for hand-made, solid wood guitars, IMO. Martin
has a couple of Jimmy Buffet models which are intended to be boatable, but
I've not tried one yet.

I think the original post was about a wooden shell snare drum, though, which
I think would be much more forgiving of the boat environment, with attention
being paid to keeping it within the acceptable rh range.

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


"Steve Daniels, Seek of Spam" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 10 Jun 2004 00:10:24 -0400, something compelled rhys
, to say:

I use the Planet Waves product on my Larrivee acoustic (pricy) and can
recommend it.

You take your Larrivee out on the boat?

I decided that the best protection for my Breedlove was the
purchase of a Takamine.

Protecting a musical intrument from moisture
 

On Wed, 09 Jun 2004 22:16:41 -0700, "Steve Daniels, Seek of Spam"
wrote:


You take your Larrivee out on the boat?

Hell, no. I just got it and am still in the "worshipful mode" stage.
It's the best guitar I've ever PLAYED, never mind owned.

It's only been to one jam session. A buddy has a 1975 Martin C-16 and
they are pretty well par in quality, even though they are quite
different (and different sounding) guitars. Most guys have Gibsons,
Epiphones and Yamahahas in my jam session.

I decided that the best protection for my Breedlove was the
purchase of a Takamine.

Now, it's funny you should say that. I have a Takamine CP-135 with
electric pickup. It's pretty basic and it has a classical neck, so
it's not a great "strumming" guitar. But it's loud and compact, and
THAT'S what I take to the boat.

Now, my bodhran goes in the Zodiac in a sealed garbage bag, but
there's usually a bonfire on the beach to dry that out G

The pennywhistles and recorders and ocarinas seem unaffected by
humidity. Harmonicas can suffer if not kept dry.


R.

Protecting a musical intrument from moisture
 

On Thu, 10 Jun 2004 14:46:09 GMT, wrote:


You should have considered an Ovation. It doubles as an emergency
paddle.

MMMPPPHHHH! Oh, great, now I have a "humidity issue" with coffee on my
monitor.

Wow, there can't be many inside jokes that appeal to guitarists AND
sailors. I salute you G

R.

Protecting a musical intrument from moisture
 

I decided that the best protection for my Breedlove was the
purchase of a Takamine.

Yep. I used to take my Martin with me but eventually bought a Baby Taylor as
my "Travel" guitar. My biggest problem with my D-18 though, was space. I can
fit the Baby Taylor in the storage areas under the seats in my small
cruising sailboat. I couldn't stash the Martin anywhere so it was always
secured somehow in the V Birth when we were underway.

I know of another sailor who replaced his guitar with a mandolin for use on
his boat. Not a bad thought, IMO.

Good luck with the drums! Sounds like a great gig. ;-)

Frank Wiewandt

Protecting a musical intrument from moisture
 

Steven Shelikoff wrote:

You have a Breedlove? How do you like the JLD bridge system? I have an
Alverez 12-string (not the best I know, but I love the different tone
from the cedar)

Just my $0.02, but I just love cedar topped guitars. I've got an 11
year old Washburn that I take aboard that just SHOUTS when I ask it to,
but it's got such a sweet voice :-) No probs yet with warpage.

Protecting a musical intrument from moisture
 

On Thu, 10 Jun 2004 12:04:46 GMT, something compelled
(Steven Shelikoff), to say:

On Wed, 09 Jun 2004 22:16:41 -0700, "Steve Daniels, Seek of Spam"
wrote:

I decided that the best protection for my Breedlove was the
purchase of a Takamine.

You have a Breedlove?

Yes. Special edition, #6 of ten.

How do you like the JLD bridge system?

Oh, just fine. Haven't found a need to mess with it.

Protecting a musical intrument from moisture
 

On Thu, 10 Jun 2004 14:46:09 GMT, something compelled
, to say:

On Wed, 09 Jun 2004 22:16:41 -0700, "Steve Daniels, Seek of Spam"
wrote:

On Thu, 10 Jun 2004 00:10:24 -0400, something compelled rhys
, to say:

I use the Planet Waves product on my Larrivee acoustic (pricy) and can
recommend it.

You take your Larrivee out on the boat?

I decided that the best protection for my Breedlove was the
purchase of a Takamine.

You should have considered an Ovation. It doubles as an emergency
paddle.

Or a salad bowl.

I can't keep an Ovation on my lap. The sculpted plastic back
just slips away from me. That, the pawn shop from which I
purchased the Takamine didn't have one.

Protecting a musical intrument from moisture
 

On Fri, 11 Jun 2004 00:39:08 GMT, beldar wrote:

Steven Shelikoff wrote:

You have a Breedlove? How do you like the JLD bridge system? I have an
Alverez 12-string (not the best I know, but I love the different tone
from the cedar)

Just my $0.02, but I just love cedar topped guitars. I've got an 11
year old Washburn that I take aboard that just SHOUTS when I ask it to,
but it's got such a sweet voice :-) No probs yet with warpage.

It really is a sweet sound and it plays well too. But 12 strings in
general are prone to warpage due to all the stress from the 6 extra
strings.

Steve

Protecting a musical intrument from moisture
 

"Steve Daniels, Seek of Spam" wrote in message

You take your Larrivee out on the boat?

I decided that the best protection for my Breedlove was the
purchase of a Takamine.

thats probably the best advice ive heard yet.


lol

chris

Protecting a musical intrument from moisture
 

Richard Malcolm wrote:

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

Just curious about how you're planning on protecting the
rest of your kit. Also, if all you're taking is a snare I
wonder what type of jazz you'll be playing... possibly a
minstrel show retrospective?

Protecting a musical intrument from moisture
 

Roy Jose Lorr wrote in message
Just curious about how you're planning on protecting the
rest of your kit. Also, if all you're taking is a snare I
wonder what type of jazz you'll be playing... possibly a
minstrel show retrospective?

the snare is older and not in the best shape. I am playing in a
dixieland band and may even bring my "rims" set, which have no shells
at all. Not your typical dixieland drum, but it will fit better on the
boat. I use them alot on gigs where I don't need to be too loud and am
traveling by boat. they look funny, but sound fine (not great) If I am
playing with electric guitars such as Blues or Rand B, I will bring my
big set.

Protecting a musical intrument from moisture
 

Richard Malcolm wrote:

Roy Jose Lorr wrote in message
Just curious about how you're planning on protecting the
rest of your kit. Also, if all you're taking is a snare I
wonder what type of jazz you'll be playing... possibly a
minstrel show retrospective?

the snare is older and not in the best shape. I am playing in a
dixieland band and may even bring my "rims" set, which have no shells
at all. Not your typical dixieland drum, but it will fit better on the
boat. I use them alot on gigs where I don't need to be too loud and am
traveling by boat. they look funny, but sound fine (not great) If I am
playing with electric guitars such as Blues or Rand B, I will bring my
big set.

Try not to let the leader stiff you.

That's about the extent of my advice.

Protecting a musical intrument from moisture
 

On 9 Jun 2004 07:20:38 -0700, (Richard
Malcolm) wrote:

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
Keep it in a sealed plastic bag. The humidity on a boat isn't that
much worse than humid days on land. If it really wants to be dry you
could put packets of dessicant in with it.

We have carried a clavichord on cruises along the Maine coast in our
sailboat without mishap The clavichord has had problems but not from
that.

Rodney Myrvaagnes J36 Gjo/a


Ask not with whom the buck stops . . .