Keeping instruments safe in winter

[BradKlein]

Here in NYC, steam-heated winters are dangerously dry. I fill the humidifier daily to keep a small room at a reasonable relative humidity.

I’m considering hanging mandolins and guitars in a simple plywood cabinet with glass doors. It seems that with just 20 cubic feet or so of interior, I might be able to reach 40% humidity by just placing a container of water inside, and letting it passively evaporate.

Does anyone have first hand experience trying something like this? Did you ‘weather strip’ the doors or do anything to try and make the cabinet more air tight? Did you find a need for a fan to increase air flow over the water? Or even a small electric humidifier inside?

It’s easy to speculate, but I’d like to hear from those who’ve tried it. Thanks.

[JeffD]

Might this help? Plans for a walk in cigar humidor.

http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=718220

This one is a closet turned into a guitar humidor.

http://www.gearslutz.com/board....on.html (http://www.gearslutz.com/board/acoustic-instruments/118331-guitar-humidor-construction.html)

[dantank]

I have an old wardrobe that I hang two guitars and two mandolins in. I duct taped all the joints and stapled indoor/outdoor carpet on the inside. Nice soft surface. I found a cigar humidifier (Moist-N-Aire) and a humidistat (Habitat Monitor) with a solid state switch that connects to the power outlet. I have to add a quart of water once a week or so. Keeps a steady 45% humidity. Easy access.

Dan

[BradKlein]

Great responses! It would be great to fill the tank weekly instead of daily!

Dan, Can you explain why you need (or choose) to use a separate humidistat to control the humidifier? It seems like the Moist-N-Aire has a built-in control for that?

As an aside, it's interesting that the 'guitar closet' poster mentions that installing an alarm there substantially reduced his insurance premiums. Insurance isn't very high for most amateurs, but I can see that for those paying 'professional' insurance premiums, it might save real $$.