cracking and humidity control
 

Hello,

I just bought a bass (1900 german flat back) from a super dry climate and brought it back to, what should be an equally dry winter climate. The bass is a flat back and has some cracks on the back that were repaired. In the past couple of weeks most of the cracks have opened up. I'm holding off a little bit in having the cracks repaired because I want it too settle more and I'm also worried that it's going to begin to freak out once the humid summer comes. I have an appointment to have the bass set up with my Luthier in a month, and at that time he can assess the repairs that need to be done. My question is should I humidify the bass at home, even though I'm not home much with it? I always thought, perhaps wrongly, that if you're always taking an instument from a humidified room to a non humidified room, it's better just to the let the instrument the same humidity. Also my understanding of a flatback was that when the bass began to take on humidity that because the back can't swell like a round back, the back will begin to crack.....am I wrong? In any case any advice would be greatly appreciated. Also if it helps I could take some pictures of the back cracks.
Thanks in advance,

Dave

PS. I do love the new (very old) bass!

Humidity does not cause cracking, dryness does. You should add some humidity where the bass is stored. Not so much so that it is shocked when it goes elsewhere, but try to get it into the 35% range or so. Most indoor climates in NY or Montreal are more like 20%. That is a guaranteed crack zone for something as wide as a bass. Good luck with your new partner!

Thanks Arnold for the sound advice!

Dave

Is there a good humidifier someone could suggest?

Thanks,

Dave

Thanks for the percent directions- 35 - 40%. I just purchased a Vornado from Bed Bath and Beyond. I had a 20% off coupon of course. :D
Terry Treppa

Each room in the house near you bass will need one. A single unit will not handle the air flow from the other rooms. It will help to equalize the humidity inside.