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Thread: Effect of humidity on a nice mandolin...

  1. #1

    Default Effect of humidity on a nice mandolin...

    I live in a low humidity part of the country - the Pacific Northwest. I'm going to Hawaii for 10 days and am wondering whether I should bring my Big Mon or not. I hate the idea of not practicing on it for 10 days.

    I'm not concerned with the transit aspect - I'll carry it on and will have it with me at all times until we reach the condo where we'll be staying. It's the pretty severe change in humidity that worries me and subjecting it to the tropical humidity of Hawaii for 10 days.

    Is that a legit concern or shouldn't worry?

  2. #2
    Registered User J Mangio's Avatar
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    Default Re: Effect of humidity on a nice mandolin...

    I moved from Las Vegas NV to North Carolina with no effect whatsoever.
    Last edited by J Mangio; Oct-29-2022 at 7:23pm.
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    Gummy Bears and Scotch BrianWilliam's Avatar
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    Default Re: Effect of humidity on a nice mandolin...

    Do it. You deserve to vacation with your mandolin. That’s what I tell myself at least

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    Registered User Steve 2E's Avatar
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    Default Re: Effect of humidity on a nice mandolin...

    I wouldn't think twice. Just bring it! Let the Big Mon talk dirty!


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    Registered User tjmangum's Avatar
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    Default Re: Effect of humidity on a nice mandolin...

    Quote Originally Posted by mikerofone View Post
    I live in a low humidity part of the country - the Pacific Northwest. I'm going to Hawaii for 10 days and am wondering whether I should bring my Big Mon or not. I hate the idea of not practicing on it for 10 days.
    I live in the Pacific NW too, but humidity can certainly vary, whether your near the coast, valley or high desert.
    I had this concern last summer traveling in the opposite direction to Texas, Colorado and Nevada. Just to be safe (and as an excuse for another mando) I bought something more modest for the trip and left the A team at home.
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    Default Re: Effect of humidity on a nice mandolin...

    Quote Originally Posted by mikerofone View Post
    I live in a low humidity part of the country - the Pacific Northwest. I'm going to Hawaii for 10 days and am wondering whether I should bring my Big Mon or not. I hate the idea of not practicing on it for 10 days.

    Is that a legit concern or shouldn't worry?
    I wouldn't be concerned about taking it, but would recommend keeping it properly humidified, whether at home in the PNW or in Hawaii. Boveda makes packs that add/remove humidity, and they're cheap insurance.
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  8. #7
    Likes quaint instruments poul hansen's Avatar
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    Default Re: Effect of humidity on a nice mandolin...

    ?? Your hotel will have airconditioning, so humidity will probably be too low, not high.
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  10. #8

    Default Re: Effect of humidity on a nice mandolin...

    Get a Boveda system.

    https://www.amazon.com/Boveda-Humidi...ef_=ast_sto_dp

    They have various systems, so pick the one that suits your mandolin.
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  11. #9

    Default Re: Effect of humidity on a nice mandolin...

    I sold a mandolin to a dealer in Arizona, I live in Connecticut. Dealer claims the mandolin swelled up like a tick and he had to wait a week for it to settle.

  12. #10
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
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    Default Re: Effect of humidity on a nice mandolin...

    Quote Originally Posted by BGRules View Post
    I sold a mandolin to a dealer in Arizona, I live in Connecticut. Dealer claims the mandolin swelled up like a tick and he had to wait a week for it to settle.
    "Swelled up" from what –– the extra humidity in Arizona? Generally if an instrument dries out (which I assume would be the humidity difference between CT and AZ), it shrinks, rather than swells. Seems backwards to me...
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  14. #11

    Default Re: Effect of humidity on a nice mandolin...

    Quote Originally Posted by allenhopkins View Post
    "Swelled up" from what –– the extra humidity in Arizona? Generally if an instrument dries out (which I assume would be the humidity difference between CT and AZ), it shrinks, rather than swells. Seems backwards to me...
    It probably swelled up in CT and the dealer was waiting for it to shrink in AZ.

  15. #12

    Default Re: Effect of humidity on a nice mandolin...

    I played my main mando outside at festivals on both the wet and dry side of the Cascades this summer and the only noticeable difference I had was knocking it out of tune. I even played it in the rain (under an umbrella but the wind blew some in, my mando was definitely damp), let out dry out afterwards and it was fine.

  16. #13

    Default Re: Effect of humidity on a nice mandolin...

    Make sure you have a hygrometer in the case and adjust humidty as needed. Also, leave it in the case except for playing.

  17. #14
    Registered User urobouros's Avatar
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    Default Re: Effect of humidity on a nice mandolin...

    Quote Originally Posted by milli857 View Post
    It probably swelled up in CT and the dealer was waiting for it to shrink in AZ.
    Depending on the time of year or one's air conditioning, CT can definitely be drier than AZ
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