Heat wave

[markishandsome]

96 degrees and 60% humidity today, and this is the nicest day this week! I don't have any climate control and I'm wondering if there is anything I can do to keep my instruments safe until autumn. Thanks

[mandroid]

dry towel in your lap, and the rocking chair under a nice shade tree ?

the other season, riding my bike in raingear to play, I need to bring or borrow a dry Tshirt for back varnish protection, a tonegard keeps my sweaty belly at a safe distance now.

[Ted Eschliman]

Avoid terrycloth (unless you're premeditatively going for that distressed look). Wipe perspiration and skin oils from instrument finish frequently with a good Micro-fibre (http://jazzmando.com/tips/archives/000329.shtml) cloth during and after playing.

[JGWoods]

No doubt keeping them in the case with some dessicant would help. On the other hand I think 96 and 60% humidity is in the normal range of what instruments can take without damage. They aren't made for museums.
Others will disagree...

[sunburst]

Very high temps are very bad, but most glues and finishes can withstand 96 degrees. Extreem humidity, low or high, can really do damage. 60% isn't terrible. That will make the wood in your inatruments equalize at about 10% to 11% moisture content, and while that's not ideal, it isn't bad.
For reference, lumber for construction (like 2/4s) is considered dry at 19% moisture, Kiln dried wood is usually dried to 6% moisture, and I like to build instruments with wood at about 8% moisture.

[Bob DeVellis]

Be sure to keep it out of the sun. With an ambient temp of 96 (which is what it is here in North Carolina, right now, too), it wouldn't take much sun exposure to get you into the dangerous range. Don't even think about leaving it in the car for even the briefest time in this kind of heat.

[8ch(pl)]

Too hot to practice indoors, I''m in Nova Scotia. Humidex over 100F

[Brian Baker]

Why not get out the mando and play Cold on the Shoulder (or Footprints in the Snow...)

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Brian