Making your Didjeridoo Last
Didjeridoos are prone to splitting if not looked after properly. Playing didj results in saliva running down the centre, which seeps into the wood. It is the change in moisture in the wood that causes it to split. There are a few methods you can use to avoid this problem...
Soaking the Didjeridoo in Water
This expands the grain of the wood, making it more dense and resonant. If you use this method you must either keep it constantly wet or dry it over a long period of time. If it dries too fast there is a good chance it will split. This method is only useful for solid wooden didjeridoos. If you are playing a bamboo didj I would advise you not to use this method as bamboo can dry out almost overnight, and will very likely split.
Waterproof Varnishes
Varnishing the didj provides a very good seal against water and does not require frequent applications. The problem with varnish is that it is made with quite large particles and will not penetrate into didj, especially the waxy outer surface of bamboo. You will need to sand the didjeridoo down before applying, which weakens bamboo. It is not enviroment friendly, but lasts. A good yacht varnish ensures the didj is kept waterproof.
Linseed and other oils
Oil particles are small, so soak deep into the grain, but they do not solidify. As the didj is played the saliva running down the center will pick up the oil particles, which float on water. They are taken from the didj, allowing the water to soak into the grain of the wood. This makes it require more frequent applications. Cooking oils also work, I know of a lady that has kept a bamboo didj for ten years using Olive Oil.
Danish Oil. My prefered method.
It is made from naturaly produced ingredients, tree sap, crushed beetle wings (shellac) and alcohol. It has small particles which, if applied well, soak deep into the didjeridoo's wood, making it more dense and resonant. When the alcohol evaporates the oil in contact with air solidifies. This coats the inside and outside of the didjeridoo with a plastic-like surface which lasts a long time and isn't removed by the saliva.
Replacing a Beeswax Mouthpiece
There are two ways of renewing the beeswax mouthpiece. The first is better for didjeridoos that have a very wide a mouthpiece. It involves heating the wax to just above melting point, which must be done with a bowl in a saucepan of water. You then dip the end of the didjeridoo into the wax, let it solidify slightly and repeat the process. This is usually done many times before a good mouthpiece has been created.
Treatment and Care Of Your Didjeridoo
Reduce the Chance of a Split Keeping Didjeridoo Wet Varnishing Linseed Oil Danish Oil
