Humidity Control Packs Protect Musical Instruments on the Oregon Coast

The Oregon Coast is a beautiful and dynamic region, known for its rugged coastline, temperate rainforests, and stunning natural scenery. However, this unique environment can also pose challenges for those who travel with or own and play instruments. High levels of humidity and moisture can cause wood to swell, warp, crack, or shrink, leading to costly repairs and diminished sound quality. Fortunately, there is a solution that can help protect your wood instruments from our area's high levels of moisture: humidity control packs.

Humidity control packs are small, portable packets that are designed to regulate the moisture levels in the air around your instrument. They use a two-way humidity control system that can either absorb or release moisture as needed to maintain a consistent relative humidity (RH) level within a specific range. This can help prevent the problems associated with high or fluctuating humidity levels, such as warping or cracking of the wood.

Choosing the right humidity control pack for your instrument requires some consideration of the size and type of storage space. Boveda, a leading manufacturer of humidity control packs recommends using one pack for every 25-50 cubic feet of space. For example, if you have a small instrument case that is 1 cubic foot in size, you would need a small 4-gram Boveda pack. If you have a larger storage space, such as a walk-in closet or a large instrument case, you may need several packs to ensure consistent humidity control.

In addition to choosing the right size, it's important to select the appropriate humidity level for your instrument. The Boveda brand offers packs in a range of RH levels, from 32% to 75%, with the most commonly used levels for wood instruments being 45% and 49%. Different types of wood may require different humidity levels, so it's important to consult with a knowledgeable instrument technician or manufacturer to determine the optimal range.

Using humidity control packs can provide many benefits for musical instrument owners on the Oregon Coast. In addition to protecting the instrument from damage, it can help maintain the optimal sound quality and playability. The natural fluctuations in humidity levels on the Oregon Coast can cause instruments to go out of tune or sound different from one day to the next. By using humidity control packs, you can ensure that the instrument stays in tune and performs consistently.

In conclusion, if you own an instrument on the Oregon Coast, or if you're simply traveling with one, using humidity control packs can be an effective way to protect it from damage and ensure it performs at its best. By choosing the right size and humidity level for your specific instrument and storage space, you can enjoy the benefits of consistent humidity control and sound quality.