Gewa Double Bass Humidifers
There are now two reliable bass
humidifiers for the double bass: The newer Gewa version which
is slightly smaller and narrower than the original and now again,
the most known and favored humidifer, by Dampit is back!
For decades, the Dampit brand has always been widely recognized
as the 'green, rubber tube with the black rubber stops on each
side'. For a while, the Bass Dampits went out of production
and then were copied by Gewa.
In some super
dry climates (like where we are in the Phoenix area), we can and do
use these all year 'round. Most though that live in more
seasonal areas will only have to worry about super dry times during
the winter when the air is cold and the home heater dries and heats
the air inside. While violins and cellos shrink and contract
in similar ways and percentage ratios, when a bass contracts, 2% can
mean 1/4" or even more. Adding humidity to the bass will help
minimize the change so that the bass will not crack! A
'weather crack' (about 95% of bass cracks!) is caused when the
natural moisture content in the wood is lost during the dry months
and then causes it to contract and shink. The back, usually is
the most aggressive part of the bass in contraction (maple!) and
will shrink more than the top. Again, if the seams to do not
'pop' open (between ribs and back, or top) then the back pulls the
ribs, which still glued to the top, will then pull apart the softer
spruce wood top. So the pressure point or 'release' point...is
your top! Also, here is when flat back style basses can crack
against the support bracing in the bass.
How these work and how to use them. Both the
Dampit and Gewa style of humidifiers have been around for at least 4
decades! They are made from a latex rubber tube, with a super
absorbant sponge inside that acts as a 'wick" allowing the moisture
to evaporate into the (un-varnished) body interior, by simply
hanging inside from the f-holes. At the bottom 2 inches of the
tube, there are no holes. This is to keep excess water from
dripping into the bass and at the same time, feed that sponge wick
and evaporate into the bass. While basses have a nice
protective varnish on their exterior that has a protective seal,
inside the bass is bare wood and will absorb that moisture.
Buy the Gewa Humidifier here:
Buy the "Dampit":
When filling the Dampit with water, be sure not to over
fill them. Needless to say, we never want them to drip
inside the bass. The best way to use these is to simply hold them
under the faucet, then squeeze all the extra water out. If you
are not used to using them, try hanging them on a bathroom towell
rack and then come back in an hour or two to see if they are
dripping or not. You want to hear that "Squishy" sound at the
bottom of the tube, but not see dripping or water to come out of it
too easily when pinched. A little goes a long way, especially
if you use 4, which is the most effective way.
What works best. We have found that using
4 moderately moistened (safely) Gewa Humidifiers in your bass and
storing it
with the cover on
and zipped up, creates an optimal way for the bass to fully absolb
the much needed moisture. So, after a practice or playing
session, when you are finished with the bass for the day, hang the
tubes in, then put the cover on. This creates a safe, not
overly wet 'bass humidor'. Without the cover, the nice humid
air will just evaporate out through the f-holes. The cover
makes a significant difference this way.
There are other ways to deal with humidity.
See our other dedicated humidity page where we explain some
other ways to help your bass along in the dry times of year.
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