humidty

msparrows · Guest

Shane (or anyone with the correct answer),
What is the ideal range for humidity for a drum kit. I have a finished room in my basement (drywall, carpet, suspended ceiling, etc.) and I use a dehumidifier. What should I be 'shooting for' as far as humidity goes?
Mark

Shane · Newbie Joined: Feb 13, 2004 Posts: 191

Great question.
Here's the layman's answer........................you ready?
Not too dry, not too moist!

rusty · Newbie Joined: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 15

I don't think in this area we have to be concerned about there being too little humidity. If you have water condensing on surfaces in the room with the drums - it's too damp. I think having a dehumidifier you should be in good shape.

msparrows · Guest

Rusty,
Thanx! There is no moisture condensing on any surfaces. I was more concerned with the actual range (% of humidity) I have a humidistat in the room and I was wondering what is the 'proper' range.
Is 60% too much? 70%?
Mark

bongosolo · Newbie Joined: Mar 03, 2005 Posts: 18

I agree that humidity isn't too much of a concern -- I think the LACK of humidity is a concern. Any ply or solid wood can dry out, which can make it warp when tension is constantly on it, or it can try to revert to its natural state if tension is not applied.

You're danged if you do and danged if you don't, if the drums dry out severely. Just keep a decent humidity level and you'll be fine.

Of course, the real answer is: get drums that aren't wood! www.tempusdrums.com No, I'm not affiliated with them, I just love mine, and they are impervious to weather!

msparrows · Guest

...so essentially, no one knows the answer?!
of course, not too dry and not too moist but what range?
come on drum purveyors!

rusty · Newbie Joined: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 15

Msparrows - You might get the best answer from the manufacture of the drums you're asking about. I've had my set of Rogers since the early '70s. They were in Maryland for about 7 years (high summer humidity), on the Oregon coast for about 10 years (again a high humidity area), in Portland, Oregon about 10 years (mid range humidity) and for the last 9 years in Maine, again a mid range humidity. The shells are maple, with a black wrap and none of the drums show any signs of warping, coming out of round and the wrap is still tight on all but one drum (a 18" floor).

I have a solid maple Slingerland that I found while on the Oregon coast in '77. I have no idea how long it sat in the back of a rundown house that was about 2 blocks from the coast line. I've recently refinished it and it is in very good shape, round and nothing has started to split or come unglued. I've had estimates it was made in the '20s.

Why are you concerned with humidity?

msparrows · Guest

rusty,
since i've finished the basement i bought a humidistat and i want to make sure that in the summer especially(when it gets very humid) that the humidity doesn't affect my new Beech Custom Absolutes. I do run a dehumidifier and i want to make sure that all is working properly. i have noticed a near 70% reading one day last week and it's not even June yet!
I just want to be pro-active!

rusty · Newbie Joined: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 15

I was talking about the humidity issue with another drummer. He said he had heard if the drum isn't left for any length of time without a head mounted and tension on that head it has more of a chance to warp or go out of round.

I guess you should just keep them headed . . . Rolling Eyes