samzayed
Oud Junkie
Posts: 485
Registered: 11-1-2003
Location: Chicago, IL
Member Is Offline
Mood: Mashee el hal
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Dryness in the winter and ouds
Hello Fellow oudists,
Being that I live in the midwest where the heat is on 6 months out of year, and there is very little moisture in the air, I am often worried that my
ouds are taking a toll from this kind of weather.
Since last winter, I've been using a "guitar humidifer" which is nothing more than rubber hose with a sponge on the inside. You soke
in water, squeeze out excess water and dry it, and hang it in the sound hole every when you're not playing. I have to remember to do this every
2 days!
What do others do? Is there some sort cheap electric humidifer out there?
Thanks.
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mavrothis
Oud Junkie
Posts: 1674
Registered: 6-5-2003
Location: NJ/NYC
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Mood: big band envy
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hi.
there are cheap humidifiers, very simple, that you can just put in the room you store your ouds in.
you should be able to find one that is well under $50, look around your discount stores and see what you can discover.
you could also just leave some bowls of water around the room and let them evaporate naturally, but humidifier is a better way to go.
good luck
mav
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samzayed
Oud Junkie
Posts: 485
Registered: 11-1-2003
Location: Chicago, IL
Member Is Offline
Mood: Mashee el hal
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I can't seem to find one that doesn't require refilling with water, every day or 2. I need something that you plug into the wall, and let
it do the rest. That probably doesn't exists being that you need water to have humidity??
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mavrothis
Oud Junkie
Posts: 1674
Registered: 6-5-2003
Location: NJ/NYC
Member Is Offline
Mood: big band envy
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humidifiers
yeah man, you need to refill humidifiers as far as i know. if there are any that automatically do it by a plumbing connection, they have to be real
expensive. besides you have to change the filters too pretty often.
do you leave the instruments unattended for long periods?
btw, mr. ghadban sent me pics and descriptions of some of his ouds that are ready. looked pretty nice.
mav
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Jameel
Oud Junkie
Posts: 1672
Registered: 12-5-2002
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Mood: No Mood
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I installed a whole-house humidifer on my furnace last year. ($150 materials--including the unit) It brought the humidity level way up (perfect for
ouds) in the entire house, not to mention that my throat is now not completely dry in the mornings as it was before. You can also turn your thermostat
down a couple degrees. Moist air feels much warmer than dry air. Here's an interesting fact. The inside of a typical home with forced air heat is
dryer in the winter than the Sahara desert! I change the filter once a year.
I did the little room humidifier for a winter and I did have to change the water every couple days. Plus the humidity level was hard to keep constant.
I suppose you are stuck with one of these if you live in an apartment building or the like. Invest in a nice one. It will pay for itself by prolonging
the life of your oud. Plus, you will feel better too.
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samzayed
Oud Junkie
Posts: 485
Registered: 11-1-2003
Location: Chicago, IL
Member Is Offline
Mood: Mashee el hal
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Can you send me those pics of Ghadban's latest ouds? samzayed@hotmail.com
Thanks man.
My problem is that I do leave the oud unattended for 3-4 days, especially if I am very busy. I would forget to refill the humidifer, and I now I
forget to rewet the dampits. We have a humidifer in our central heating, but I think it needs some tweeking, filter change, or something. That
probably the best solution.
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