Silica Solution?

oliver_bentley · Jul 31, 2006

Played a gig at the weekend, and one of the horn players there had several sachets of Silica Gel in a net bag (like the ones used for washing tablets) he kept on top of his sax in the case. Assuming it was to keep the thing dry I asked him if it worked, and he said he swears by the stuff, as well as using a pull through and then a pad saver, he said a repairer sugested it to him a few years back.Any one else use this? It make a differnece?

I suppose its free with all sorts of stuff these days, couldnt hurt to chuck some in the case.

impulse · Jul 31, 2006

Seems to me it would be an excellent way to dry things out,provided (if you are relying on it) you kept redrying the slica gell. For me I have found the best way is that I use a carpeted old 3rd bedroom(kids have all grown up and left) as my practice room. After using the pull thru` etc. I just store the sax in the corner on its stand,less MPC and read, and covered with a light cloth to protect from dust. This way it allows all the little nooks and cranies to dry out properly and also is handy for next day`s practice. I only bung it in its case when I leave to play some where. Russ

ken · Jul 31, 2006

I use this in larger size bags (larger than the little things that come with camera's and such).

If you see a petrol pump service engineer in a petrol station, see if you can scrounge a couple of bags from him/her... they are re-usable by warming up in the oven and the good ones have a pink/blue indicator to tell when they need 're-freshing'.

Lisa · Sep 8, 2006

When my sax was delivered all spangly and new the case had a big silica gel bag inside which I've never removed because I guessed it might be good for keeping the sax and case dry. I didn't realise they could get worn-out though so I'll keep in mind to refresh it.

I store my sax on a stand most of the time when its not in use, plus I use pull throughs for the crook and horn after a practice session - as Impulse has said, I'd agree that letting the air circulate around it must be the best way to dry it out (IMO.)

(See my earlier post "Cleaning the Beast" - it's in the beginners section I think - there are some handy tips there.)

L 8)