It's me again...with all the questions! lol
So, are the Hygrometers that come equipped in violin cases accurate? Or, what is your opinion on the matter?
The one in my case says it's on the higher "normal" range. I try to look to see if it ever changes...for some reason, I think it remains close to the same place...even though I've camped with it now...and my basement seems pretty fair as far as dampness....away from the dry electric heat. I need to get one for my music room but do you think the ones in the cases..."Bobelock Fiberglass" work?
Thanks as always!
I have never known an instrument case hygrometer to work at all. Pure BS
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Originally posted by Brian WoodI have never known an instrument case hygrometer to work at all. Pure BS
There ya have it, folks. BW says BS....I suspected a much but thought I'd ask...much thanks!
It only really matters if your instrument never leaves the case anyway. You can buy a digital temperature and humidity meter for your music room for 10 or 15 dollars. Not sure how accurate they are either, but at least the reading changes.
quote:
Originally posted by DougDIt only really matters if your instrument never leaves the case anyway. You can buy a digital temperature and humidity meter for your music room for 10 or 15 dollars. Not sure how accurate they are either, but at least the reading changes.
Heading to Lowes then!
I always saw them as bling.
Very few case hygrometers work at all. Most of them are pretty rudimentary on the inside. The digital ones that come in cases don’t tend to be any better. Your best bet is to buy a decent hygrometer elsewhere and check its accuracy.
I have one I bought from Amazon that’s proven to be accurate enough that I trust it. My dehumidifier has a hygrometer built in but that one is not accurate. Growing up we always had an old scientific one hanging on the wall in the music room, and it was very reliable.
The comment about case hygrometers being “bling” is unfortunately accurate. The same may be said of most case humidifiers. It seems to be common for the needle to be at a permanent 60% on most of the dial models.
I do recommend monitoring your temperature and humidity wherever you store your violin. You don’t have to spend a whole lot to maintain the instrument’s environment, and it makes the instrument sound better while saving it from damage. Don’t trust whole-house systems to regulate it.
David Burgess, the internationally renowned violin maker, has hygrometers available that he calibrates himself for accuracy in case you want to be extra sure.
Eric, you can also try Tractor Supply and Bass Pro shop (or most farm supply stores). If you go somewhere that has several, choose one whose readings are average for the bunch.
If they work it is always 80% humidity in my fiddle case. LOL!
I found a seller on eBay who is selling used digital thermometer/hygrometers for a set of 6 for $15 or so. The eBay item number is 144046800814. I bought three sets of 6 in 2022 and have one of them in the shop, three in the house in different rooms, and have given them to other people. They are small enough that you could put one inside a case. I think you'd have to open the case and look at it immediately before the sensors had time to change the display. I recommended these on Banjo Hangout when I found them, but didn't think to mention them here. In case the item number changes you can also find these by searching for Inkbird ITH-10.
There's a seller now on Amazon offering six mini ones (new) for $10, and there are other size/price assortments available too.
