Jonathan - 7-22-2005 at 12:45 PM
Does anybody have any idea what the ideal humidity is for ouds? I use a humidifier in the room where I keep my ouds, just because the air here can
get fairly dry. But, I don't have any idea what % of humidity I should really be shooting for. If I don't use the humidifier, the room air is about
22%.
It seems odd to be concerned about the humidity of the air, since these things tend to be made and played in a lot of desert areas. Am I overdoing
it?
I will confess that I almost never keep the ouds in their cases, even though I know that this is best. There, the humidity and temperature would be
more constant. Instead, I keep them face down on shelves that I built for them.
So, if anybody has any thoughts, please let me know.
Thanks
al-Halabi - 7-22-2005 at 01:03 PM
A humidity level of 45-50% is considered ideal. Good luthiers confirm this. You are wise to use a humidifier - a humidity level in the low 20s is
definitely on the dry side for the instruments, although not as much of a risk to them as excessive humidity, which can be deadly.
Jonathan - 7-22-2005 at 01:07 PM
Great. I have been shooting for 45%. Thanks a lot!
japan - 7-22-2005 at 04:13 PM
al-Halabi is right. According to OudCafe, it says:
"Keep an eye on the humidity. Too much or too little is bad for the woods on your oud. Try to keep it around 40-50% or so"
Ref. Link: http://www.oudcafe.com/maintenance_tips.htm
And by the way, it is the same ideal humidity for a piano "40-50%"
Regrads,
JC1907 - 7-23-2005 at 07:03 PM
Especially it's more important to keep an eye on humidity during winter months in cold climates. If you have central heating, it might be too dry.
It's mor managable in the summer.
Jonathan - 7-23-2005 at 07:28 PM
If it's a hot summer, though, and you have AC, that can make it fairly dry, too.
japan - 7-24-2005 at 12:06 AM
One of the nice things of being in Japan is that their Airconditioners have built-in humidifier - dehumidifier with an auto sensor to keep the
humidity to the level you want. I've got one of those and works like a charm ! 
Regards,