kevin - 4-21-2004 at 05:25 AM
Hello!
Since ouds don't seem like extream temp changes, what options have people excersized to overcome this. Ouds seem very fragile, for example I just
pulled out a Guild acoustic guitar from my closet that I haven't played in 5 years, and it was still in perfect tune & had no visible effects
- now I doubt that an oud would survive that long of neglet (not that it would leave my hands for that long!)
But I worry that just keeping my oud in the center most part of the house away from radiators & windows, in its case when not in use may not be
enough... any thoughts?
kevin
mavrothis - 4-21-2004 at 06:03 AM
Hi, I don't know what climate you are in, but regardless you should probably have a hygrometer and a humidifier in the room you usually store
your oud. Keeping the humidity at around 40%-50% in the room is best.
Also, if you do for some reason leave the oud untouched for a long time (I hope this is never the case 
) tune the strings down considerably to get rid of the tension that could be a problem if it's just sitting
around.
Take care,
mav
david - 4-21-2004 at 06:26 AM
Hi Mav, What if you keep it in its case when your not playing it or its bag?
Do you still have to worry about humidity?
mavrothis - 4-21-2004 at 07:35 AM
Hi David,
Yes, b/c even the case/bag will have similar if not the same humidity as the room. There are in-case humidifiers you can get for when you are out
with the oud, and I think also it's just best to be safe and keep the room at a good level. You live in California, you may not have as severe
weather as here in Pennsylvania.
Maybe get a hygrometer and check out the levels, and then if you need to get a humidifier. There are lots of affordable options.
Another idea is a silk bag, made like a pillow case, that classical guitar players use. You wrap the oud in it, place it in it's hard case, and
the silk helps keep some moisture in. You can make one yourself, usually the silk is a yellowish/orange color i think. A friend of mine in Philly
does that, it's nice.
Take care,
mav
david - 4-21-2004 at 12:00 PM
Thanx again for all you help
nadir - 4-21-2004 at 10:55 PM
Keep it away from extensive exposure to the sun too if you can.
Exposure to sun
chuckerbutty - 4-21-2004 at 11:53 PM
Not a problem here in Scotland!
Zulkarnain - 4-22-2004 at 12:25 AM
Exposure to The Sun
A problem here in Malaysia!
kevin - 4-22-2004 at 03:45 AM
I live in new england, so like a true yankee I have to be prepared for anything. I'm still waiting for that april sneek snowstorm...
It would be just my luck to have 90% humidity the basement & 10% in the livingroom, the irony of having a humidifer AND a dehumidifer running in
one house at the same time makes me want to cry.
mavrothis - 4-22-2004 at 06:25 AM
Yeah, the East Coast can be tricky. Don't stress though, if you do have low humidity in the 'oud room,' the solutions are simple and
not that expensive.
Take care,
mav
Alan - 4-22-2004 at 10:41 AM
small digital hygrometers are inexpensive and will help you maintain proper humidity. Most have temperature and relative humidity readings. Here in
Florida the house has about 50-65% humidity so it's not a problem. I tend to leave my ouds out on their stands so I will pick them up often and
play.
Make your own oud humidifier
Elie Riachi - 4-24-2004 at 05:14 PM
Here is a link I found on how you can make your own guitar humidifier which I think should work for the oud also: http://www.thepodium.com/instcare3.html
mavrothis - 4-24-2004 at 06:49 PM
Very cool link, thanks! There are also very inexpensive cello humidifiers, the long tubes, that work well. Same principle of a sponge within a
plastic container with holes in it.
I pin it within the case in a safe place.