Why Acoustic Remedy Cases?
September 28, 2012
Why Acoustic Remedy Cases ?
Glad you asked. We have several reasons why we think our cases are the best on the market. When we set out to create our product, we identified several main criteria for a high end display case which include: a reliable form of humidity control, an airtight environment, an accurate way to measure the relative humidity, and to provide our customers with the safest way of displaying and protecting their instrument.
Our cases are not merely humidified guitar display cases, they are best described as humidity controlled because the we ship each case with a starter kit of the Planet Waves Humidipak System and have designed the cases with this system in mind. This is a patented system with packets that absorb or emit moisture automatically to keep the relative humidity (RH) at 40-50% (the recommended level for stringed instruments). It is endorsed by Bob Taylor, owner of Taylor Guitars, as the best humidity control method on the market.
In our home state of Wisconsin, we have cold winters and hot humid summers like many other areas in the country. In these types of conditions, an unprotected guitar will shrink in the winter because of low humidity and swell in the summer due to the humid air. This process repeats relentlessly and results in several less than ideal consequences for your instrument (see FAQ Page for several examples). Our cases eliminate this fluctuation completely with the use of the Humidipak packets and require absolutely no work on your part other than replacing the packets every 3-4 months. Put them in the case, engage the latches and enjoy the simplicity of our humidity controlled display case. Of course, no matter how simple the humidity control, nothing will make much of a difference without an air tight environment.
Air Tight Environment:
We have incorporated an innovative idea that is one of the founding principles of our patent application, a gasket system between the door and body of the case and latches to compress the gasket for an airtight seal. Our cases are beautiful and well constructed, but all of that beauty and quality woodworking would mean very little without the gasket system. An automotive grade rubber gasket and spring loaded stainless steel latches achieve a seal that blows the competition out of the water. The single most important factor in controlling the RH in a display case is the seal because it allows the humidity control device to work properly. Without an airtight seal, the humidity control method exhausts quickly and requires attention from the user to refill sponges or water reservoirs...which is easily and often forgotten.
An air tight environment combined with the Planet Waves Humidipak System ensures that when you are away for several weeks at a time on business or vacation, your RH level is at the manufacturers' recommended level and safe from temperature and humidity fluctuations.
Accurate Hygrometer:
Acoustic Remedy Cases abandoned the idea of using analog hygrometers long ago. Although analog hygrometers are quite striking, they are notoriously inaccurate and are better suited for decoration rather than the actual measurement of conditions. Instead we use a digital hygrometer that is widely praised as being the most accurate digital hygrometer on the market! These units do more than simply measure the RH, they actually store the high and low temperature and RH so you can actually measure any fluctuations from opening and closing the door. One of the reasons for buying a display case is to present an unobstructed view of your instrument. That is why we place the hygrometer discretely in the lower inside of the case and make it easily visible by looking through the glass.
Safety:
Water and wood have a delicate balance in instruments. The wood needs enough moisture to not shrink, but not too much to cause swelling. If a sponge type humidifier is placed near or in the sound hole of the instrument, it can result in moisture leaking into or on the surface of your instrument. If too much moisture is put into an enclosed environment (i.e. filling a sponge device too often), then the water must absorb somewhere.....which is of course into your instrument body or neck. If it's not filled often enough you have even more devastating results, and if it leaks the damage can be immediate. No need to worry about these scenarios with our cases!,
In our cases, the humidity control device is placed near the bottom of the case. Not only does this eliminate any risk of damage to your instrument but it also takes advantage of the principles of density to ensure that the case is evenly humidified. Moist air is actually less dense that dry air, so having the humidification device at the bottom of the case allows the less dense air to rise to the top of the case and evenly distribute conditioned air from the very top of the case all the way down to the bottom.
Check out this Wikipedia article that talks about the density of air in relation to relative humidity.Thanks for taking the time to check out our website. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to us and we will be glad to speak with you further about our cases.
Ryan Sauter
Hydrogeologist
Leave a comment
Comments will be approved before showing up.
