Winters in the Nordics are full of beauty, magic, and tons of 'hygge.' But the harsh weather conditions can impact your instrument's health, sound, and performance. In the worst-case scenario, not properly protecting your instrument against low temperatures and humidity during the winter can result in serious damage and costly repairs. Below, we've compiled some tips to help you get your instrument safely through the winter.
1. Humidify Your Instrument
If you live in a country with a cold and dry climate, it is of utmost importance to humidify your instrument through the year. In general, you want to keep your instrument in an environment that is between 40-60% humidity. The risks of low humidity are many and include cracks, open seams and ribs, warping, peg issues, and reduced sound quality. There are a few strategies for preventing these issues, including:- Humidify your instrument's case - The best approach is to humidify your instrument's case. To do this, you will need a shell or suspension case inside of which you can affix a case humidifier, like those produced by Stretto. This method ensures the entire instrument is consistently surrounded by humidified air. Ensure, however, that the humidifier is positioned within the case in a way that avoids direct contact with the instrument to prevent any potential water damage.
- Dampits - these are the long, green rubber tubes with a sponge inside that fit into your instrument's sound holes. Using a dampit offers localized moisture control within the body of the instrument and is a convenient, portable, and cost-effective method. However, Dampits don't address the overall environmental conditions around the instrument and can't humidify the entire instrument. There is also a risk of over-humidification if not used properly. Additionally, their presence in the soundhole may interfere with your instrument's resonance.
- Humidify your home - humidifying your home during the winter, or at least the room where you keep your instruments, can be a good option for keeping your instrument in safe humidity levels during the winter.
It is easy to get carried away and humidify your instrument too much. To avoid overhumidifying your instrument, it is best to store your instrument in an environment that is just beyond the 'danger zone' of 40% or less.
2. Avoid Rapid Temperature Changes
Low humidity isn't the only threat to your string instrument. Sudden changes in temperature can be detrimental to your instrument. The biggest risk is cracks that suddenly appear when going from a warm environment to a cold one or vice versa. We suggest taking the following actions:
- Let your instrument warm up: If your instrument is cold to the touch from traveling in cold temperatures, allow your instrument to come up to room temperature before playing it. Do not try to speed this process up by placing it near heaters, etc. This practice helps prevent stress on the wood and will reduce your risk of creating a sudden and catastrophic crack in your instrument.
- Buy your instrument a sweater: a number of instrument case manufacturers such as BAM and GEWA produce padded fabric covers to go over your case and fabric slips to go over your instrument. While these covers won't keep your instrument toasty warm, they will slow down heat loss when traveling from one location to another.
It goes without saying that you should also keep your instrument away from heaters, radiators and off of heated floors at all times!
3. Use a Quality Case
Invest in a well-insulated and protective instrument case. A good case acts as a buffer against temperature changes and provides some insulation against the cold. A shell or suspension case is best as it has enough space for you to install a humidifier. When your instrument is not being actively used, put it immediately back into the case to prevent moisture loss.
4. Don't forget the bow!
Bows are as susceptible to environmental changes as violins, violas, and cellos are. All wood on the bow can contract, which can lead to cracks and snapping. In addition, the stick can develop grain lift, warping and loss of camber. Very cold bows can become brittle and susceptible to serious damage if played before they are brought up to room temperature. And low humidity can cause incorrect hair tension, thereby affecting performance, playability, and sound quality. To avoid these issues, it is best to keep your bow in the same temperature and humidity-controlled environment as your instrument. Some bow restorers in the North recommend having your bow rehair at the beginning of every winter and summer to maintain proper tension.
5. Keep an eye on new instruments
It isn't only fragile, antique instruments that are susceptible to low temperatures and humidity. New instruments also need to be protected against harsh environmental conditions. All new instruments go through a natural process of "settling" in their first year of life in response to the pressure from the strings, tensions in the body of the instrument, being played on a regular basis as well as different environmental conditions. Exposing your instrument to chronically dry and cold temperatures can exacerbate this process and lead to set-up problems such as improper bridge height, wrong neck angle, incorrect string tension and height, etc. The risk of cracking is not out of the question, especially if your instrument was made in a more humid country and is going through its first winter in the North. It is important to keep a close eye on your instrument and take it for a general inspection to a luthier once winter is over. If you notice that the instrument just doesn't sound or perform the same way, be sure to communicate this to your luthier. They can often detect and correct small changes in the instrument and bring it back to peak playing condition.
6. Regular Maintenance Checks
Keep a vigilant eye on your instrument for any signs of changes. Inspect the wood, seams, angle of the neck, and varnish regularly. If you notice any cracks, open seams, warping, or other changes, consult a professional luthier as soon as possible. Early intervention can prevent further damage and maintain the instrument's structural integrity.
In Summary
Caring for fine string instruments and bows in a cold, dry northern climate involves a combination of preventative measures and regular maintenance. By following these tips, you'll not only preserve the integrity of your instrument but also ensure that it continues to produce the beautiful, resonant tones that make it such a cherished part of your musical journey.