Alternate kinder, cheaper humidifier for violins - a report!
The days are getting warmer. Humidity is around 60% where I live.
Humidity affects the tone of the violin and in extreme situations can open up the seams of the violin causing significant damage to the delicate instruments.
Ideal humidity levels at 50-60% keep the violin in order and help with quality sound. To protect the violin, it is better to keep it in a silk cloth cover. This however may not help in humid situations.
The commercial dehumidifier appeared to have a thicker tube. The tube is stiff and insertion through the f-hole can cause damage to the wood.
So I've used a chest tube which is made of soft PVC which is designed for human use. This tube surgically lies adjacent to the heart and lungs causing no harm with multiple holes and has graduations in cm. Being a surgeon helps to access and buy this soft tube easily. This tube is sold as a sterile packet for about 1/6 the price of the commercial dehumidifier.
This tube can be used as a dehumidifier tube for violin, viola, cello or guitar. I have only tried it on violins. This tube is soft and pliable with graduations to know the depth and will not slip into the body of the violin due to the bulbous tip.
The technique for use of this chest tube is to soak it for a minute in water and wipe it before insertion. Water should not enter the violin seams, the same as in the commercially available ones.
2 videos are enclosed: how to use on violin and how to store it in the violin case.
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