Why You Need a Dampit and How to Use It


Do you regularly travel with your instrument or keep it in a dry, heated place during the winter? If so, you’ll want to invest in a dampit. Regardless of whether you play violin, viola, cello, or bass, you’ll want to invest in a good dampit to make sure your instrument doesn’t get damaged during the winter.

Harsh winter weather and dry storage locations can cause your instrument’s wood to dry out and allow cracks to form. A single crack on your fine instrument not only reduces the sound quality but is also could lead to further damage to your stringed instrument down the road. You never want to open your case and see a crack running down your instrument. One proven way of preventing damage to your instrument is to use a dampit or humidifier, but we’re going to cover dampits today.

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What is a Dampit?

Dampits are used to release moisture into your instrument constantly throughout the day so that the wood doesn’t crack. A dampit is scientifically tested and proven to provide maximum protection from cracks to your instrument against damage due to hot, dry and freezing weather. Dampits have served many classical musicians throughout the years. A dampit is made of low-cost materials that render it both efficient and economical in maintaining proper humidity levels under dry conditions generally found during the winter.

The dampit itself is a soft rubber (generally green) sleeve that houses a special open-cell sponge which releases water slowly to ensure your instrument is properly humidified. With proper care, your humidifier can last for several years without needing frequent replacement.

Dampits also come with handy humidity indicators that help you to maintain the optimal humidity for your instrument. Maintaining proper humidity will make your sound its best for years to come.


Why Do You Need a Dampit?

As a classical musician, you never want to perform on stage with a screechy sound caused by cracks. It not only kills your motive but can scare away your audience. A dampit ensures that your instrument never dries out or cracks, so it’s less likely to produce a strange and poor quality sound. Compared to other humidifiers, a dampit is more efficient, economical, and less likely to drip all over your case. Other humidifier brands tend to humidify the lining of the case rather than the instrument itself. This is why a dampit is the most trusted musician companion. In fact, it is frequently recommended by professional musicians and teachers to beginner string players so that they start off with the proper maintenance habits.

Inside of the dampit is a quality and durable sponge that holds moisture for a long time. They are also very easy to use. When filled and placed inside of an instrument , the water evaporates from the sponge, ensuring that the retains moisture and does not dry out. When the dampit is dry, all you need to do is to soak it for a few minutes in distilled water. You can then squeeze it to remove excess water, and it will be ready for use. Dampits are available in various sizes. You can choose the right size that matches your equipment.

A dampit is inexpensive compared to the overall value of your instrument, and will save you hundreds or thousands of dollars in costly instrument repairs when used properly. It is unimaginable to have your instrument damaged due to a problem that is preventable. Regardless of whether you are playing a cheap or high-end instrument, we recommend that you buy a dampit to humidify and prevent your instrument from cracking and warping.


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How to Use a Dampit Humidifier


  3. Insert the dampit inside your through the F-hole of your instrument.
  5. Ensure that the dampit remains inside your while it’s in the case. You may take it out while playing for brief periods so that your doesn’t have odd vibrations, but make sure that you put it back in immediately when you are done playing.
  6. We recommend that you store your in a cool place. Keep it away from radiators. Do not expose your instrument to heaters. This way, your will retain moisture longer.



If you want to keep your instrument for a long time, you should invest in a dampit. They are generally less than $20, but will save you hundreds or thousands of dollars in costly repairs. There is no perceptible loss of sound quality when you are using a dampit humidifier and it is a savior during the harsh winter months. You should definitely get a dampit if you don’t want to expose your instrument to cracks caused by dryness. Buy a dampit today and protect your instrument from sound loss and damages.


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