Dampit

October 12, 2014 at 10:48 PM ·

It's probably time to use a dampit when the humidity drops below around 60% on regular basis. If your skin is getting super dry, then it is also time to use a dampit (It can't hurt to use one if its a tad too humid, but it can hurt to not use one when you need to) Central heating usually makes the environment drier as well, so you might want to try it when winter rolls around.

I like to soak my dampit in a glass of water, then dry it with a towel so there is no dampness on the outside, no dripping. It should have water inside where the sponge is though. If you can squish the dampit and hear water in there, you're golden. Put the dampit on the side of the violin that doesn't have the tag. This is usually the right side, but check yours. Ultimately it doesn't really matter which side you put it on, people use two pretty often; the only reason the right side is generally favored is so that you don't damage the tag. Dampits are a lifesaver! Use them in dry seasons!

October 13, 2014 at 05:26 AM · I beg to disagree with Helen,

Dampits can drip inside the F holes and leave runs which are not a good thing, especially on the label. I would say use some sort of humidifier in the case when the humidity drops to about 40%. Also do you think that the humidity that dampits emit inside the violin stays there while you play? There is vibration going on that pushes the humidity out to replace it with fresh air from the environment.

A better solution is to humidify a small space where you keep the violin.

Relative humidity values that a violin will tolerate are 40%-60%.

October 13, 2014 at 06:20 AM · Just a small point, I've been told by a luthier that one should use distilled water because the minerals in tap water will gunk up the dampit. Doesn't matter which side you but it, unless the f holes are too small in which case you get two small ones and put them on both f holes.

October 13, 2014 at 11:00 AM · This has been discussed many times on V.com - just search - and the consensus from the luthiers and other cognoscenti is that they are a bad idea for the reasons Kypros listed above.

Get a good humidity monitor (you may have to get two as they are notoriously inaccurate) for your violin storage place. If the level dips then humidify the area - there are plenty of devices on the market for that or do what I do, soak a large towel in water, ring it out so that it doesn't drip and hang it in the room where there is some air movement. It works great for a day or more. Devices that fit into your instrument are just asking for trouble - and if too damp could cause wood rot. The case humidifier, also suggested above, would be my second resort.

October 13, 2014 at 11:11 AM · Alex, the better violin restorers generally aren't too keen on Dampits.

Taking a quick look at climate information for where you live, you probably don't need to humidify. It's much more likely that you would benefit from DEhumidifying during certain times of the year. While violins don't like being too dry, they don't like being too wet either.

October 14, 2014 at 04:51 PM · Water doesn't belong in a violin -- even if it's in a sponge/tube.

Try to keep the room and case at a suitable humidity level.