STRETTO Humidifier for Violin & Viola, STR-1010
STR-1010
Stretto humidifier for violin and viola. It keeps the humidity inside the case in a healthy range without water reaching the instrument.
- Ventilated plastic housing with a reusable microfibre pouch
- Gel granulate as the reservoir
- Attaches to the case lining with hook and loop tape
Technical data
| Instrument | violin and viola |
| Design | Plastic housing with microfibre pouch |
| Attachment | Hook and loop on the case lining |
| Service interval | up to around a month, depending on the room climate |
| Item number | STR-1010 |
Features
- One filling lasts up to around a month, depending on the room climate
In practice
- Our rule of thumb is 40 to 50 per cent relative humidity at around 20 °C; above 40 per cent a violin is comfortably safe, below 30 per cent it becomes critical.
- Rapid swings do more harm than a permanently slightly low reading. That makes winter with its dry heated air the critical season.
- Use distilled water only.
- Do not squeeze the pouch or water will escape. Letting it drip briefly is enough.
- The housing belongs on the case lining, not on the instrument. Dripping water damages the varnish permanently.
- Over-humidifying makes wood swell and the pegs stiff.
Climate and wood
The neck angle, bridge and pegs of a string instrument shift with humidity and temperature. In dry air the maple of the scroll shrinks, so that pegs slip 1 to 2 mm deeper; ebony reacts much less. In humid air, by contrast, the pegs become stiff.
An instrument leaves the workshop with a wood moisture content of 7 to 10 per cent.
Stretto stores the water in a gel held in a pouch. For a longer break the pouch belongs in a watertight plastic bag.
Our experience
Our experience: Stretto is a winter companion for us, whose season begins with the heating period in September. We carry Stretto because the gel holds plenty of water and humidifies the case quickly and evenly.
Frequently asked questions
What humidity is right for a string instrument?
Our rule of thumb is 40 to 50 per cent relative humidity at around 20 °C; up to 60 per cent is unproblematic. Below 30 per cent, as in heated air in winter, it becomes critical.
How long does a Stretto pouch last?
One filling lasts up to around a month depending on the room climate; the pouch itself stays in service for at least two years in central European air. When the gel takes noticeably longer to soak up water, it is time for a replacement pouch.
These texts hold decades of experience and a great deal of heart. They are protected by copyright, C.A. Götz jr. GmbH. Please ask us before any use. Thank you for your appreciation.