How to Care for a String Instrument in New Mexico's Climate
Essential precautions for protecting violins, violas, cellos, and basses against dry desert air, extreme humidity swings, and seam separation.
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PMTNM Educators
Reviewed and approved for New Mexico families by local, credentialed music teachers.
The Impact of Low Humidity on Tonewoods
New Mexico winter indoor humidity often drops below 15%. Dry air causes spruce tops to shrink faster than maple backs, resulting in open seams and cracks.
Maintain 35-50% relative humidity inside the instrument case using in-case humidifiers (Dampit, Boveda packs).
Peg Maintenance and Slipping
Dry pegs shrink and slip loose, making tuning frustrating. Keep pegs properly lubricated with peg compound or chalk rather than forcing them in with excess pressure.
Temperature Shifts and Car Travel
Never leave a string instrument in a car trunk or vehicle in New Mexico. Desert heat quickly melts delicate hide glue and softens varnish.