Double Bass Moving from an island to a mountain top - humidity question

Ben Rose

Ben Rose

Jan 12, 2004
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#1
I’m moving from an island in the Bay Area, where humidity ranges from 50-90% to a mountain community in southern CA where humidity ranges from 20-40%.

i have 2 carved DBs and am thinking I need to slow the humidity change, so I picked up some dampits.

Should I put the dampits on the basses before I put them in their gig bags and move, or should I wait until I get there?

Should I wait a certain period of time before taking the basses out of the bags?

Anything else I should consider?

Thanks!
 
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#2
1. Do not put the dampits in the bass bag. The basses will retain enough moisture during the move; you don't need to add more.
2. Waiting - or not waiting - to take the bass out of the bag relates much more to temperature than to humidity.

Wood's reaction to humidity is gradual. If you didn't have a dehumidifier in the Bay Area, your basses are probably a little "waterlogged." Ideal humidity is around 45%. You may want to invest in a humidifier in order to dial in a consistent number.
Keep watch for cracks and changes as the basses dry. A setup may be in order after a few weeks.
 
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#3
Upton bass recommended I keep my bass at 40% minimum during the winter, so I run a humidifier in the cold, dry months.

I have no problem getting to 50% or higher in the summer, so I run a dehumidifier when mother nature’s input can be higher than desired.
The most important factor is to avoid larger, sudden swings in both humidity and temperature, though temperature will have a quicker effect. If you plan to not fuss with your bass soon after the move, dampits in the case won’t due any harm, while you figure out how to optimize the bass’s environment.
These are tips I received after Upton built my bass. They run several large humidifiers in their showroom during the winter. Their inventory is considerably valuable.

Musical instrument museums run their environment at a consistent 60% humidity, but that is not practical for a gigging musician.
 
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#5
I should clarify that the humidity ranges refer to reported humidity ranges for today - not throughout the year. So I’m looking at a drop of 30-40 points of humidity in one day. That is what has me nervous.
 
#7
I'll put in my 2 cents.

Consider getting a hygrometer to eliminate guess work.

Not sure it's best to wait to arrive at the new destination to humidify. My impression is the speed of the humidity change is a significant factor. AFAIK if the relative humidity is already high, a Dampit or Oasis is probably not going to raise it all that much more, as the evaporation rate decreases when RH goes up.

AFAIK the biggest problem with Dampits is they can drip excess water inside the instrument that may spawn mold growth. My impression is the Oasis humidifiers are more highly regarded. Oasis® OH-21 ¾ Size Double Bass Humidifier

Perhaps a better solution for the trip would be D'Addario Humipaks. I have never used them, but they seem highly regarded. The can release and absorb humidity. If you are curious, here is the product page: Humidipak Absorb Humidity Control System | D'Addario Accessories

Notice there are different formulas, but they all have the same target humidity. Perhaps the Absorb formula would be a good choice for the trip.
 
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#8
I would not do anything until you get where you are going to plant your roots. Humidity is not a big deal as people make it out to be. I understand it can create problems, but its really not a do or die thing. I sell humidors for cigars and play upright. Just assess the situation when you plant yourself. Honestly when you arrive and/if the humidity is low, just turn on a little humidifier with distilled water and like the dude said above, buy a little digital cigar hygrometer for your room/case. If the case is not extremely sealed, the humidity will access the bass. I would have it on a stand, but thats just me. Humidity packs only really work if the case is sealed to air, etc. kind of a scam if you really dig in. Humidifier and a hygrometer used in a small room will work best.
 
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#9
I brought my basses from San Diego to New Mexico at 7.5K ft above see level . I think northern NM beats any SoCal mountain community in low humidity. I did not have to do anything special. One bass was from NM and the other bass I bought from someone living in Santa Barbara. Adobe house with wood heat, no humidifiers. I just used those F hole foam inserts and did not have any direct heat in my playing room. Nothing happened. Robertson's did put a slightly taller bass post when I had it for service. Yeah both basses are fully carved. The older one had already many battle scars including a top that deglued. when I was in San Diego. It was also a turn of the century as in the 1900 (estimated 1893-97). Of course San Diego is not as humid as the Bay Area.
 
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#14
logdrum said:
I brought my basses from San Diego to New Mexico at 7.5K ft above see level . I think northern NM beats any SoCal mountain community in low humidity. I did not have to do anything special. One bass was from NM and the other bass I bought from someone living in Santa Barbara. Adobe house with wood heat, no humidifiers. I just used those F hole foam inserts and did not have any direct heat in my playing room. Nothing happened. Robertson's did put a slightly taller bass post when I had it for service. Yeah both basses are fully carved. The older one had already many battle scars including a top that deglued. when I was in San Diego. It was also a turn of the century as in the 1900 (estimated 1893-97). Of course San Diego is not as humid as the Bay Area.
Click to expand...

My bass (ca. 1850s-1890s flatback) came from the Bay Area to ABQ in early spring of 2016 and ended up with a shattered back. A warm, dry, March wind came up one night and I heard each and every crack happening while the bass was in it's case inside my house. My luthier at the time (Mike Olivola) took it apart and let the individual pieces acclimate for a month or so before he repaired all the cracks and put it back together. Then the next year it cracked more and we had to do the same thing a second time. I then moved up to 7500' elevation south-east of ABQ a few years later and the bass has started to crack again in the last couple of years. Fortunately, the bass plays and sounds fantastic and doesn't rattle. Unfortunately, Mike Olivola is no longer in NM, but I've had Hannah Mayne do some work on it and I think she's still here.

I would hope that my circumstances are somewhat extreme, because our winter/spring humidity can easily be single-digits, and often doesn't get above 15-20% all winter unless it snows. It's totally impractical to try humidifying the bass long term.
 
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#15
Well I got in late last night and the basses are still in their cases. It is so dry here. Chapped lips and everything. I seem to have lost the dampits in the move, but in the spirit of slowing the humidity change, I have hung a damp towel in the small music room. Hopefully the dampits turn up soon as we begin to unpack.
 
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