Jameel
Oud Junkie
Posts: 1672
Registered: 12-5-2002
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Las Vegas
I have a friend in Las Vegas who is interested in getting an oud.
I'm a little concerned about the humidity factor. The almanac for Vegas shows average humidity around 20-30%, with afternoon numbers dipping close to
10%. Add A/C to the equation, and it gets worse.
I can recommend a case humidifier, but dryness affects instruments almost immediately, within a few minutes in fact.
So anybody here live in the southwest desert region? What are your thoughts? How do you deal with it?
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DaveH
Oud Junkie
Posts: 526
Registered: 12-23-2005
Location: Birmingham, UK
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Hi Jameel
I don't wouldn't swear to anything based on my technical knowledge, but what Nazih Ghadban told me is if the wood is properly seasoned and if it's
seasoned and built in a dry zone it shouldn't be a problem. Because he makes his in the Bekaa valley and gives the wood a good seasoning himself, he
reckons his ouds fine for dry conditions. I imagine the Bekaa is pretty similar to Nevada, climate-wise. So your friend could go for one of Nazih's or
someone else who builds and seasons in a similar climate. Apparently it's a lot safer taking an oud that's been put together with wood with a low
moisture content into a wetter climate than the other way around.
I'm in the UK so haven't quite been able to test out this theory!! When we need the central heating in the winter though, I make sure I have a saucer
of water by the radiator in the room I keep my instruments and I keep the humidity over 40%. I've only ever had the reverse problem - as I lived in
Bangladesh until last year. 100% humidity and hide glue don't mix. Nuff said.
But obviously whatever he gets he should either keep it in an un-AC room or use very light AC and a humidifier. By the way, if you want to go low
tech, plants are great humidifiers if you keep a humidity gage in the room and keep an eye on it.
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Jameel
Oud Junkie
Posts: 1672
Registered: 12-5-2002
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Thanks Dave.
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