I tried Boveda packets. Unfortunately, a few years ago the relative humidity in my area of Kentucky dropped to 18% and stayed that way for a few days. I was using Boveda packets. The necks of all my guitars and two of my ukulele necks shrank, all from side-to-side. The packets are not effective that low. $650 later for all the repairs, I no longer use them. I make my own humidifiers for my instrument cases. One day I will learn to dress frets myself.
Yikes, what a shame! How old were the Boveda pkts (they're usually good for about 2 years, depending on conditions). You made a good point that the repairs can cost a lot more then regular maintenance & monitoring for sure.
Thx! Always great fun & great info! As for the Boveda pkts, always use them in their holder inside your case. They will maintain the relative humidity (RH) that they are rated for (size 8 is 49% RH & just right for ukes). The pkts last 2 years so v affordable. Note they can maintain the RH but are not meant to rehydrate dry wood (cigars, paper, etc.) Putting an inexpensive little battery powered hydrometer in the closed case with the instrument will let you know where the humidity level is to start & then over time test it intermittently. The temp & humidity inside the case, or in the room if the instrument is displayed, is what matters. We all condition & heat the air in our houses so the outside heat/humidity have no bearing unless you are storing your instrument outside (like in a shed or your vehicle & hopefully no one would do that anyway : ).
@@asnormal1362 i was asked how old the packets were. They were less than one year. I was told they don’t work below 30% humidity. 18% is almost half that. I bought a Kamaka uke that some came with, but I bought about a dozen online and put them in guitar and ukulele cases. I no longer have to worry about the guitars. They were all stolen from my home while I was away in April 2024, along with my computer that had all the photos and serial numbers. I have not been able to find the printout containing them.
Aloha!! Love all episodes with Magic Mike a teeny tiny bit more than the rest ;-)
mike's getting good at this
I tried Boveda packets. Unfortunately, a few years ago the relative humidity in my area of Kentucky dropped to 18% and stayed that way for a few days. I was using Boveda packets. The necks of all my guitars and two of my ukulele necks shrank, all from side-to-side. The packets are not effective that low. $650 later for all the repairs, I no longer use them. I make my own humidifiers for my instrument cases. One day I will learn to dress frets myself.
Yikes, what a shame! How old were the Boveda pkts (they're usually good for about 2 years, depending on conditions). You made a good point that the repairs can cost a lot more then regular maintenance & monitoring for sure.
Thx! Always great fun & great info! As for the Boveda pkts, always use them in their holder inside your case. They will maintain the relative humidity (RH) that they are rated for (size 8 is 49% RH & just right for ukes). The pkts last 2 years so v affordable.
Note they can maintain the RH but are not meant to rehydrate dry wood (cigars, paper, etc.) Putting an inexpensive little battery powered hydrometer in the closed case with the instrument will let you know where the humidity level is to start & then over time test it intermittently.
The temp & humidity inside the case, or in the room if the instrument is displayed, is what matters. We all condition & heat the air in our houses so the outside heat/humidity have no bearing unless you are storing your instrument outside (like in a shed or your vehicle & hopefully no one would do that anyway : ).
@@asnormal1362 i was asked how old the packets were. They were less than one year. I was told they don’t work below 30% humidity. 18% is almost half that. I bought a Kamaka uke that some came with, but I bought about a dozen online and put them in guitar and ukulele cases. I no longer have to worry about the guitars. They were all stolen from my home while I was away in April 2024, along with my computer that had all the photos and serial numbers. I have not been able to find the printout containing them.