Ken's Corner (Bass Forums Sponsored By KSB)

Go Back   Ken's Corner (Bass Forums Sponsored By KSB) > Double Basses > Luthier's Corner

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 02-22-2008, 01:10 PM
Dave Watts Dave Watts is offline
Junior Posting Member
 
Join Date: 07-30-2007
Location: Montreal, Canada
Posts: 15
Dave Watts is on a distinguished road
Default 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!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 02-22-2008, 01:24 PM
Arnold Schnitzer Arnold Schnitzer is offline
Senior Posting Member
 
Join Date: 01-22-2007
Location: Putnam County, NY
Posts: 453
Arnold Schnitzer is on a distinguished road
Default

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!
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 02-22-2008, 02:41 PM
Dave Watts Dave Watts is offline
Junior Posting Member
 
Join Date: 07-30-2007
Location: Montreal, Canada
Posts: 15
Dave Watts is on a distinguished road
Default

Thanks Arnold for the sound advice!

Dave
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 02-23-2008, 10:39 AM
Dave Watts Dave Watts is offline
Junior Posting Member
 
Join Date: 07-30-2007
Location: Montreal, Canada
Posts: 15
Dave Watts is on a distinguished road
Default

Is there a good humidifier someone could suggest?

Thanks,

Dave
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 11-21-2011, 08:13 PM
Terence Treppa Terence Treppa is offline
Junior Posting Member
 
Join Date: 08-18-2011
Location: Westland, MI
Posts: 2
Terence Treppa is on a distinguished road
Default

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.
Terry Treppa
__________________
Terry Treppa
"It's all about backup" (bluegrass)
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 11-21-2011, 09:51 PM
Ken Smith's Avatar
Ken Smith Ken Smith is offline
Bassist, Luthier & Admin
 
Join Date: 01-18-2007
Location: Perkasie, PA
Posts: 4,851
Ken Smith is on a distinguished road
Lightbulb

Quote:
Originally Posted by Terence Treppa View Post
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.
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.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:32 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.2
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright © 2007 - Ken Smith Basses, LTD. (All Rights Reserved)