As woodwind players, we have to manage three largely independent environmental states when it comes to temperature and humidity — climate in the case, climate in the room, and the micro-climate created inside the horn when we blow warm (98.6 deg F) moist air into it. The tension between any two or all three of these stresses, and can even damage, a wood instrument.
Unless we are sick, the air we blow is fairly constant and predictable for temp and humidity. We can bring more stability and predictability to the climate in the case with humidification devices. PWIC has chosen to use Boveda 2-Way Humidity Control solutions inside the case to complement the ambient climate control in our instrument storage space. We utilize 49% Rh packets, which close the gap between the humidity the instrument “lives” at and the air we blow into it when it is out of the case, without introducing an excess level of humidity that causes water to never clear from the bore and tone holes or induces mold or other challenges.
Why 2-Way?
Ambient humidity is not steady-state unless you keep the instrument in a perfectly climate-controlled room year-round. The humidity in the case also rises and falls when it is opened, or when you put away an instrument you just played. Using a 2-way system means at any given moment humidity is either being added or taken away to arrive at the target level.
In the Case
For storage in inventory, we are using Boveda 2-Way Humidification at a 49% Rh (relative humidity) in a size 70 packet inside a Boveda “Mastercase” holder. For the largest instruments such as bass clarinets we are using the same 49% Rh but larger packets to handle the larger volume of the case interior and the size of the instrument. This set-up is then included with every wood instrument we deliver to a client.
If you would like to order replacement size 70gm 49% Rh or larger packets for your PWIC-purchased instrument, contact us by email, phone or social for availability and pricing.
Don’t Forget the Reeds
PWIC sells D’Addario and Vandoren reeds in all strengths and profiles across the full range of single-reed instruments. Both companies have incorporated climate management into their factory packaging, so other than temperature considerations there are no particular issues with long-term storage. However, once opened for playing, we recommend using reed cases we sell designed for humidity management such as the Vandoren Hygro Reed Case:
Or, for those players that use a variety of humidors, sealing containers or bags and are looking for precise humidity management, we offer the Boveda 2-Way Humidification for reeds in various sizes. Our primary recommendation is the 72% Rh packets that strike a balance of keeping reeds ready to play but not waterlogged.
For these and other options including consultation and pricing, contact us.