mando vs extream humidity

[crossbow]

Help please!!!
All you experienced travelers please, I need a little help.
What precautions do you take if you plan to sepnd an extended period of time where there is very high humidity ie: Panama? #Does this cause damage to the wood? Any advice would be appreciated since California is very dry.
Crossbow # http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Lee]

Conventional wisdom says that the change in humidity is the most dangerous condition. I'd suggest you leave the mandolin inside the case unopened for several days or so to let it come up to full humidity gradually. Loosen the strings considerably before you leave.

[fatt-dad]

Dear Crossbow,

I'm leaving for Panama on Monday. I go quite often and am somewhat familiar with the country. You will love it, the people, the big city, the jungle, etc. Be prepared for rain.

I always bring a mandolin with me - normally a pac-rim model. However, my mandolin stays in the Marriott most of the time.

Feel free to contact me at fatt-dad@richmond.com if you want to ask questions.

fatt-dad

[sunburst]

Mandolins are relatively safe in high humidity compared to guitars, for example.
The cross grain bracing in a guitar can cause problems when the wood swells from the humidity. It's even possible for them to develope "compression set" and crack later when they dry back out.
You'll likely notice the action getting higher, possibly a lot higher, so be prepared to adjust the bridge height.
You'll also probably have some neck movement, so a trus rod adjustment might be in order.

I'm not sure that a rapid change is any more dangerous to the wood, but the finish could suffer checking if it moves too fast, so the slow acclimatization is probably good advise.