Bobelock Case Humidistat

[LKN2MYIS]

Bought a mandolin that came with a Bobelock case.

The built in case humidistat doesn't work. Pinned to 80%, which is wrong, and it doesn't waver.

I contacted Bobelock who sent me to Howard Core who sent me to a local violin dealer for help.

They said they could order a new humidistat for me, but the original is glued in and 'may be hard to remove' according to the salesman.

I would have to swap it out myself.

Anyone have any experience with removing the old one? Any ideas?

[HoGo]

They are usually glued in with hot melt glue. And they are generally useless.
I've got couple cases with built in hygrometers (not hygrostats) and they all are junk. I once tested one against lab hygrometer and it went to mere 60 when humidity was 100% (in sealed bag with wet sponge) and barely dropped below 50% when the real humidity was around 30.
If you want good case hygrometer, buy Caliber IV and forget those toys.

[LKN2MYIS]

I understand and certainly wouldn't rely on it as a rule. In my music room, I have two humidistats that I'm fine with.

It just annoys me that I have to open the case and see this non-functioning one.

I'd prefer to have one that at least moved a bit. Or even have it replaced with a thermometer or something that would fill that space cleanly and serve a useful function of sorts.

[Louise NM]

Have to say, I find this amusing—I have the same problem.

I have Bobelock cases for my violin and viola, and one of my kids has one, too. They have been sturdy, almost bomb proof. Well designed, good looking, everything you could want in a case. Except for the hygrometers, which are absolutely, positively, 100% useless. Both of mine read at a constant 60%. I live in New Mexico, where the humidity never gets anywhere near 60%. If you're sick of looking at it, paint a peace sign or something over its face and call it a day.

My cases are more than 10 years old, so this isn't a new problem.

[MontanaMatt]

My Bobelock violin fiberglass case is +15 yrs old, the hygrometer never worked.

[Phil Goodson]

The Travelites are the same, hygrometer useless. I was able to twist and wiggle mine till it came loose.

[sblock]

These days, you can purchase compact, digital hygrometers/thermometers with LCD displays that run off coin-sized batteries for up to years. These things are small enough to fit in the case's compartment where you store strings. They're more accurate than the original dial hygrometer in the Bobelock case -- even back when it was working! These things are so inexpensive that you can buy a pack of 6 for just $13, bringing the cost to around $2 apiece (see, for example, https://www.amazon.com/s?k=hygromete...ref=nb_sb_noss). NFI. You can place one inside the case compartment of every instrument you own. Highly recommended.