Don’t keep the tub completely sealed Dave, the humidity can shoot up to 90% in just hours, and overhumidifying can be nearly as much of a problem as under humidifying, largely because you then get the yo-yo effect going, where the instrument’s moisture content is going through widely varying cycles, not good.
Get some sort of humidity gauge, calibrate it properly, and then put it in the tub with the flute(s), and keep the lid at least an inch or two open. Then, keep an eye on the humidity gauage over the next few hours, and then days. You’ll likely find that the humidity climbs higher than you expected, and you’ll need to adjust the lid to compensate. Once you get a humistat, or somethng that releases moisture a little more slowly, this will be less of a problem, but believe me, moist sponges in tupperware containers usually mean RH levels that are too high, or are wildly varying.
I dunno, Loren. I was thinking of simply putting the Cotter in a 12 qt. pot with some boiling water and a bay leaf. Not only takes care of humidity issues, but I get a yummy blackwood consomme’ for lunch…
just joking of course…I’m watching the Cotter like a hawk, dude. Thanks for the guidance.
Dave
Good point. I usually just play the flute wipe it out and then seal it in the case. I only use the damp-its when the humidity drops to about 15 %. As long as it stays about 50% you won’t have any trouble. You shouldn’t just keep the flute sealed up with a sponge ,as it will start growing mold.
