People may not agree with me, but I have no problem with keeping 
instruments below freezing. No need for blankets.

Better in my opinion than dry heat (not that 50F is terribly hot). I 
have no idea if large flat pans of water filled once a week with 50F 
temperature is actually effective (though certainly better than no water 
filled pans). In NYC, where I live, apartments are often in the 80F 
range even with the radiators in the apartment turned off, because of 
heat from surrounding floors.

If you turn the heat off, are you risking frozen water pipes? THAT would 
be much worse if you end up with WAY too much moisture in you place!

But I have left harpsichords outside in the car in the winter, with no 
ill effects. Just as long as the transition from warm to cold and vice 
versa is not too quick or sudden.

Dongsok

On 11/13/2017 8:03 AM, Sandy Hackney wrote:
> Dear friends,
>
> I must be away all of February, one of the coldest and driest months in
> upstate New York.  I have several keyboards - a Flemish double, a virginal
> and a spinet - in a 10 x 20 x 10' tight studio.  How to keep them happy for
> one month?
>
> Two thoughts.  I can maintain the heat at 50F and have some large flat pans
> filled with water that can be replenished once a week.  Or, turn the heat
> off and let them sit below freezing, but wrapped in blankets.  It is not
> possible to have the humidifiers refilled daily as I normally do.
>
> What is the considered wisdom of my experienced colleagues?  Thank you.
>
> Sandy Hackney
> Easton, NY
>
> ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Note:  opinions  expressed on HPSCHD-L are those of the  individual con-
tributors and not necessarily  those of the list owners  nor of the Uni-
versity of Iowa.  For a brief  summary of list  commands, send mail to
[log in to unmask]  saying  HELP .
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