STRETTO Hygrometer & Thermometer, STR-1060
STR-1060
Hygrometer and thermometer by Stretto for the case. It shows humidity and temperature right where the instrument lies.
- For mounting inside the case
- Rapid swings do more harm than a permanently slightly low reading. That makes winter with its dry heated air the critical season.
- The hygrometer tells you whether you need to humidify at all.
Technical data
| Display | Humidity and temperature |
| Use | inside the case |
| Item number | STR-1060 |
Features
- Shows humidity and temperature
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.
- After putting it in, give the device time for the reading to settle in the closed case.
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.
Dry air becomes critical below 30 per cent relative humidity, as heated air brings in winter: on a violin this can lead to a crack in the top, and cellos, too, can crack at the top in dry air; humidifying and acclimatising slowly help to prevent it. 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.
Do I also need a hygrometer?
A hygrometer shows whether and when humidifying is needed. Stretto offers it on its own as the STR-1060 with thermometer and built into the STR-1020 humidifier for violin and viola and the STR-1040 for cello.
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.