Taylor 5565 Hygrometer: Review

It’s impossible to talk about pianos, piano tuning, and piano care without talking about humidity.

(Click on each picture above for a larger view!)

A first step in understanding how humidity is effecting the piano, is knowing what the humidity is in the home or room where the piano is located.

This is a hygrometer I recommend:   Taylor 5565 Hygrometer/Thermometer .   It can be calibrated, is easy to read, and never needs a battery replacement.

What I really like about it, are the calibration screws on the back (see above photo).   Unlike digital hygrometers this one can be calibrated to assure accurate readings of both the hygrometer and the thermometer.  Calibration can be done using a sling psychrometer which I always have with me.   I can check the calibration while I’m there servicing the piano.

I am not a fan of most  ‘digital’ hygrometers.

I’m sure there are accurate digital hygrometers out there.  Our HVAC technician has one that costs about $400 and of course, and it checks out just fine.   It’s a professional model for making instant temperature and humidity measurements while doing HVAC service.

Some digital hygrometers can be reasonably accurate in the midrange, but their accuracy can really fall off in both extremes of dryness and wetness.

So, make sure your hygrometer can be calibrated.

There are a number of vendors out there, including Amazon, that carry this Taylor 5565 Hygrometer.    I’ve seen them recently for $70 – $75.

I’ve had one of these for some years now, it works great, and I feel good recommending it.