The FLUTE SAVER is an innovative new approach in caring for your shakuhachi or any other wooden flute. It incorporates a two-way moisture control system that maintains a constant relative humidity (RH) level of 45% to 55%, the optimum for musical instruments. Best of all, it does so automatically without guess work or adjustments based on climate, temperature, season or geographical location. There is absolutely no maintenance or intervention required.

Unlike the Dampit or other fill-type humidifiers, water never has to be added. When stored in a sealed environment the FLUTE SAVER guarantees that your shakuhachi will experience virtually no fluctuations in relative humidity that can damage the instrument. It's as easy as placing a single control system packet inside the acrylic tube, flute case adapter unit or vapor barrier flute bag and closing the lid. That's all there is to it.

A digital temperature/humidity meter comes with the FLUTE SAVER kit allowing you to keep an eye on the system and help determine when it is time to put in a new packet. The control packets are designed to last from two to four months before having to be replaced.

During the course of its life, a shakuhachi, transverse bamboo or wooden flute will spend far more time in storage than actually being played. In the vast majority of cases, cracking occurs during this period of respite. Since the physical space required for storage barely exceeds the size of the flute itself, temperature and relative humidity inside this environment can be effectively controlled and monitored with the use of the FLUTE SAVER. This virtually eliminates the possibility of cracking during the time when an instrument is most vulnerable.

FLUTE SAVER kits come in four sizes to accommodate the complete range of shakuhachi lengths—from 1.3' to 3.1'. These photos show the classical 1.8' kit as well as other longer shakuhachi. (Not shown are kits designed for shorter flutes.) In fact, the FLUTE SAVER system can be used in any type of sealable enclosure that you presently have.

1.8'
2.1'
2.4'
2.8'
3.0'

PROTECTION FOR YOUR FLUTE AT HOME OR ON THE ROAD

The FLUTE SAVER is a versatile storage system equally effective at home in an easy to monitor clear acrylic tube or when traveling using a flute case adapter kit or right inside a vapor barrier flute bag and hard shell carrying case. The Flute Saver Adapter kit is a seamless plug-in extension that can be used with any Tai Hei Shakuhachi hard shell carrying case. It allows you to store and monitor your instrument safely when you are on the go.

The FLUTE SAVER Adapter can be inserted directly into the top of the carrying case. When at home, it allows you to monitor temperature and relative humidity by inserting the 12" clear acrylic tube into the end of the case and placing the digital meter inside. When on the road, simply remove the tube and place your flute, Flute Saver packet and meter into the case or into the flute bag itself. This strategy guarantees that the bamboo will experience no fluctuations beyond 45%-50% RH when stored or transported, i.e. most of its life other when being played.

AVAILABLE IN KITS OR COMPONENTS

If you would like to learn more about the FLUTE SAVER, issues related to shakuhachi care and extensive information on bamboo crack prevention , go to

The FLUTE SAVER:
A Long-Awaited Breakthrough in Shakuhachi Care

and

FLUTE SAVER FIELD TEST RESULTS