Humidifier/Dehumidifier - Boveda 2-Way Humidity Control Starter Kit, Small (Violin/Viola)
Boveda at a glance:
Why should you control the humidity of a wooden instrument?
The different woods in an instrument both absorb and release moisture to and from their environment at different rates. This can cause cracks, sinking, swelling and playability issues for the instrument. Manufacturers of wooden instruments usually deem defects, damage or deterioration of an instrument due to exposure to humidity as reason to void that instrument’s warranty.
What is the ideal relative humidity range for wooden instruments? 45% to 55%
How many Bovedas does an instrument need and how do you place them?
“A basic rule is 1 to 2 Boveda for smaller wooden instruments or electric wooden instruments with a solid or semi-hollow body and 4 Boveda for larger wooden instruments” Boveda Inc.
Electric Bass, Semi hollow body or regular acoustic, Cello, Double Bass, etc., 1 to 4 units. – 1 single holder under the headstock plus 1 double holder at bridge. The double holder can be folded and slipped between the strings and into the sound hole of an acoustic. Range – Large semi hollow body or double bass = 4 units. Small body laminated steel string could take just 2 units.
Mandolin, Uke, Violin, Viola etc., 1 to 2 units. - 1 single holder or 1 double holder under neck
Clarinet, Oboe, Recorder etc., - 1 single holder in an open area
Bass Clarinet, Bassoon, Bagpipe etc., - 1 double holder in open area
What Bovedas /RH levels are recommended for woodwind reeds?
72% for reed storage. 84% for reeds ready to play (single and double reeds)
What kinds of cases do Bovedas work in?
Synthetic, wooden and quality gig bags
Where do you place Bovedas in the case?
Place them in areas where there will be no pressure on the Boveda when the case is closed. Holders can be placed on top of the strings above a sound hole, or of your instrument is a flat top guitar with a normal sound hole, you can insert the saddle bag over the 3rd and 4th strings and allow the packets to hang inside the body of the guitar.
How long do Bovedas last?
For cased wooden instruments, Bovedas last 2 to 6 months depending on the type of instrument case and general environment
How do you maximise the life of a Boveda?
Keep the case closed as much as possible.
How do you know when a Boveda is ready to replace? (two answers)
(1) Standard Bovedas: Once the whole pack solidifies it’s ready to replace. Crystallisation and firming around the edges is normal during proper operation.
(2) HA (High Absorbency) Bovedas: Replace once the HA Boveda expands to around 4 times its original size.
What’s in a Boveda, and what’s the science behind two-way humidification?
Bovedas contain a combination of a formulated salt, water, and gel solution housed in a leak-proof, vapour-permeable membrane packet. Through osmosis, the saturated solution will maintain a constant level of 45 to 55% RH within a sealed environment, like your instrument case, virtually eliminating damaging fluctuations in humidity. The packet’s membrane itself ensures purity and allows for quick water vapour transmission. The reverse osmosis membrane acts much like the filtration used in water purification systems by inhibiting the passage of soluble substances (like salt) and by allowing only pure water vapour to pass in and out of the membrane. The membrane also allows for a fast rate of water vapour transmission or absorption as the solution responds to changes in the ambient environment. Bovedas contain no dangerous substances.
What is ‘case seasoning’ and when do you need it?
Most wooden instrument cases have twice as much wood as your instrument does! All of that wood needs to be humidified before using your Boveda Starter Kit. If you don't season your wooden case, you'll blow through Boveda faster than you need to—so start off by seasoning that case in one-step with Boveda for seasoning.
Case seasoning is not required if your case is made of synthetic materials or if you are using a wooden instrument case in a high-humidity climate.
What is the difference between the large and small Starter Kits?
Small – 2 Bovedas & 1 single pouch, for anything smaller than an acoustic guitar
Large – 4 Bovedas & 2 double pouches, for acoustics and larger