Weatherizing Your Instrument

Weatherize an instrument?  You bet.  Your instrument isn't just a box with a few strings, it's a living being.  Okay, maybe not that dramatic, but the weather does affect it.  Your instrument is made of wood.  Wood responds to changes in humidity, temperature, and even air pressure.  This is why your instrument will usually go out of tune every time the weather changes.

Here in the Pacific Northwest, we're blessed.  We have mild winters, we're relatively humid year round, and even our summers aren't that hot.  Perfect stringed instrument climate.  However, there are some precautions you should take.

1)  Most important is daily maintenance.  Every day, before you start playing, check your instrument over.  Check the bridge.  Does it seem to be in the correct spot?  If you look at your instrument from the side, your bridge should lean back ever so slightly.  If it's leaning one way or another dramatically, contact your teacher or your luthier ASAP!  It can break, but needs to be adjusted by someone who knows what they're doing.

Check for cracks or open seams.  Is your fingerboard securely glued on?  Not only does the wood respond to changes in weather, the glue does too.

Does your instrument look right?  By checking it every day, you'll get used to what is normal and what's not.  Then you'll be able to bring any problems to your luthier before they're big problems.

2)  Humidity.  If you are going to be moving your instrument around a lot, it might be worth it to get a humidity regulator for your case.  They're available at most stringed instrument supply stores.

3)  Temperature.  NEVER leave your instrument in the car!  Not only does the chance of theft skyrocket (and most companies don't insure instruments in your car), but changes in temperature can severely damage your instrument.  Try to keep it relatively stable, around 60-70F (what most humans are comfortable in) is usually great.

Like I said, winter care for our instruments is pretty easy here in the NW.  But a little preventive care can go a long way to extending the life of your instrument.  Stay tuned next time for travel tips!

Happy Playing!