Zythum Studios Destroyed in Flood - I am wiped out!

[dbbubba]

A very good friend of mine took over a studio space that I used for years and on April 15th in '91 the big creek behind the building flooded.
When I was remodeling the building I had noticed a brown stain that ran around the inside walls.
We found out what it was when the water came up to the door knobs!

The flood destroyed all of the speakers in his 4 x 12" cabs, but he was able to salvage all of his guitars.
He had some nice stuff, too.
The water only come up high enough to reach the very bottom of his console, so he was OK there.
He was able to clean and dry out all of the rack gear that was under water.

He mostly had a big mess to clean up.

He lucked out because he got a government loan as part of a compensation package for victims of the flood.

My point is that he really didn't loose that much equipment once he dried everything out.
I think that he even had a decent studio drum kit that survived.

The scary part for me was that I had that space for over ten years prior to him leasing the building!
My JH24 would have been underwater.

Regarding the issue of power being on...
In this case the power to the building was still on when we waded across the street to check on the damage!
He went in the building, but I didn't because of the power being on.
If your equipment was not powered you'll be OK and it may not be a total loss even if it was powered.

[Meriphew]

Hey John - I wish you the best, and as others have said, try to stay positive.

[lynyrd]

I am truly sorry for what has happened to your studio. I hope you read Fletcher's advice and PM'd him for some detailed advice on how to dry those guitars in particular. Hopefully it is not as bad as it seems right now.

[T_R_S]

Very sorry to hear about that - water is the worst in a studio I had a water pipe break 4 years ago and that was nightmare so I can't imagine what's go on with this.

[Mad John]

My friends,

I am absolutly moved and blown away by your awesome demonstration of support and love!!! I can not begin to tell you all how very much your kind offerings and helpful suggestions have strengthened both myself and my wife as well (for she has been my musical partner for the past 12 years) and you all helped lift our hearts, when we were truly in the dumps at the time of this overwhelming water damage situation with our studio! Bless you all!! I have never seen such an incredible display of the HUMAN SPIRIT at it's highest level as I have here at Gearslutz! Words alone just can not express how deeply we appreciate each and every one of you amazing people...thank you dear dear friends!!

Sorry it took me so long to respond, I have been busy running around doing what I could today to clean and dry things up as it were. I was also in NYC today getting some help from a friend with some of my pedals and devices. Bad day to go anywhere in NY! Shopping malls, banks, major streets everywhere damaged and closed...some pot holes a foot deep, so we all got hit hard in this area!

I wanted to mention that last night I had the honor and pleasure of talking with Fletcher for many hours and he really came through for me let me tell you, Fletcher, although complicated and mysterious as he may seem on the net, is a real warm, intelligent, thoughtful, hilarious and loving man! He has a huge heart and was a great friend to me with many helpful and (to me) fascinating facts about water damage and how I am no where as bad off as I thought, because all of the electronics and cables had no power running through them, that after serious drying and cleaning with distilled water, I would be good to go on just about everything! Fletcher (as well as some of you gentlemen) had been through a flood before too and said everything that was submerged came back to life after allot of TLC! It felt like a loved one that you thought had defiantly drowned all of a sudden revived and was kicking and coughing up water (I know, weird comparison, but you know what I mean.) So I really wanted to say thank you Fletcher for seriously helping me feel relived about what I thought was a complete and total loss! I have known you now for 10+ years and last night was the first time that we ever spoke and I have to say it was like hearing an old familiar friend that I have known and been close to all of my life! Fletcher is THAT AWESOME of a dude...wonderful man!!

Thank you RawBeanZen!! It was also wonderful to meet you on the phone sir! you are a brother, friend and kindered Spirit and I understand what you were telling me last night about your 8 months in solitude after your several tragedies (far worse than what I have just been through!) Your kindness and love are tremendous and I am thankful to you for not only reaching so graciously out to me, but to everyone that you meet! You are what GOD would call a good Son! I am especially impressed with you, for your heart seems as to be coming from the source (if you know what I mean) and that is a powerful thing! This giving on to others thing here at Gearslutz...OK, Giveslutz, has really caught on and we have you my dear friend to thank for that! Oh sure it could of been any one of us, but it had to be you! I aprreciate our conversation last night RawBeanZen...thank you so much for the call!

Dear Bowie, you are so thoughtful and gracious, I am just so lucky to be in the same company as you and I am honored to know you Chris! Thank you for your much appreciated support! You are amazing!

strewnshank, thank you for reaching out to me in this time of need (emotional) and giving support and comfort to our situation..you too my good friend are very much appreciated!! thumbsup

vixen2yall, Leny, Croaker, James 'LA' Lugo, stagefright13, in the red, ray_subsonic, Mark Kaufman, Dirty Halo, dpianomn, Knox, Space Station, lynyrd, Meriphew, Jamz, yass, Silvertone, nobtwiddler, pashatom, Hannes_F and ever one who has posted on this thread....THANK YOU GUYS...I FEEL THE LOVE AND IT REALLY IS HELPING US THROUGH ALL OF THIS!!!

I will address all your qestions tomorow! i still have allot of things to try and dry (I am trying to save my guitar cases...never realized hoe CHEAP those new smaller fender cases are! Behind the felt material it's fricken Styrofoam!)
I am trying to do as much as I can to dry things out all power conditioners and electronic devices are opened up and being fanned. Some of these cases are not going to make it, but I am drying them all the same.

More tomorrow my good friends! Your help and advice have really made my wife and I feel like we are going to not only make it out of this mess, but come out wiser more connected to many of you and I know that I am going to appreciate life, friends, music and giving to others much more intensely now, because I got hit hard and suddenly I realized what was most important (and it's not the studio and the equipment!) What is most important in this physical life is being useful and helping others in any way that you can...not turning your back to folks and trying to get your dibs on what floats your boat. That ends up being like King Midas! I remember something that Steven Wright (the comedian) once said, "You can't have everything....where would you put it?"

I love you guys...that is a fact!

Full status on Studio tomorrow! Goodnight to all!!

[GPl]

Wow, what a horrible feeling. I hope it all works out for you. And like Fletcher said, good to hear the family is all ok.
I remember back in 85 when a slew of Tornados hit a town I was living in. Not much you can do for your gear when it's reduced to rubble.
Hang in there, a little hard work and you'll be back up and running in no time

[digifx]

John, there are relatively inexpensive ways to set up a proverbial "early warning" system in your, or anyone's studio. This technology is called NetBotz. It provides real-time environmental monitoring, including humidity, moisture, fire, smoke, etc. ... and it even has a built-in security camera. While new units are astronomically expensive, you can score older models i.e. like the 19" rackmount 300-series which can alert you in the future of an impending disaster. There is even one on ebay at this moment for $49.00. Search for "Netbotz" or "Wallbotz". These are IP appliances, and it really isn't rocket science to set them up. I think these things should be sitting in everyone's racks.

God bless, and I wish you the best.

Mik

[Fletcher]

Hey John - it was my pleasure to chat the other night... I've been in those kinds of situations where you feel like "all is lost" and have found it to help when someone talked me in off the ledge.

Happy I was able to be there for you.

Hope all is well with the studio, and that you get back up and running in short order.

Peace.

[gimmeshelter67]

Glad it's not as bad as you thought. Hope all works out for you.

I learned valuable information from this post. Living in Louisiana there's always a looming flood ahead during hurricane season.

Good to see the support from the board.

[mattg082]

oh i remember katrina..I had my hard drives wrapped up and everything on high ground before we knew what it was going to be like... I did't leave and stayed here. wow, what a great idea that was sucking gas out of cars for two weeks and having to do things just to survive even if it seemed wrong. Not a good situation at all to be in but yet i still stay every hurricane.

[scorpiwoman]

Sorry to hear about your studio. I would highly recommend installing a backwater valve on your sump pump system. works like a check valve by preventing the sewer line from being able to back up into your house. You will need to make sure the sewer main in the basement is on a seperate line from the upstairs other wise the upstairs will flood if there is a backed up line or sump pump failure. PM me if you have any questions

[Baz]

Originally Posted by scorpiwoman

I would highly recommend installing a backwater valve on your sump pump system.

Also, assuming you have an alarm system, there are "sump pump" monitoring devices that alert you to high water. Might want to look into one of those, as they can integrate as a 'reporting zone' on your system and notify your Alarm Co, over even be programed to call your cell directly.


All the best, John and as the saying goes, things are often not as bad as they seem. It's great to see that some members here were there for support, as these are people that would truly appreciate your situation, and could relate.

Looking forward to hearing about the items that DID survive thumbsup

[waxx]

i never had this kind of loss, but once while dj'ing a guy trow a glass of beer in my djmixer wich was an Ecler SMAC40 (it was a home party and i used my own equipment). I immediatly switched it of. The party was ended till they showed up with an other mixer, but i could save my mixer after washing the mixer out with destiled water with a little rubbing alcohol (about 10%) and after drying it out for a week in a oldschool analog photofilm dryer i also had. This mixer still works 6 years later without real problems except broken faders, but more by the age (10y) and heavy (ab)use it faced.

I hope you can save the majority, if not all with minor costs. And pls take an insurance. It may cost you some money, but when this kind of shit happens again you will be happy you did pay the bill!!!!

[RawBeanZen]

It was a delight to speak with you too, John....and I thank you for your very kind words, my friend.

Hang in there. You and your family will be just fine.

Cheers.

[Karloff70]

Just found this thread....what a horrible thought...but what a beautiful sight of support!!! All I can say is I'm sending some extra energy packets of thought from across the pond and hope you get a great surprise in that the damage turns out much much smaller than you first feared! May you be enjoying the sound of those Electrovoice's coming out of your speakers again very soon!!

[Jules]

What a disaster!

Hope as much as possible can get recovered..

[Knox]

. . . . this should also remind some of you guys who have a basement studio . . . . where water heaters might be close by to check them regularly as sometimes the tanks can rust and make a hell of a mess as they dump the water . . . then they try to fill an empty tank . . . of course it usually happens slowly but I have seen it happen quickly. Best to replace them with tank-less water heaters or at least check on them regularly.

Again John, hope it all works out .... all things considered.

[l9821518]

been there recently but not as bad as yourself..best thing ..let your gear dry out totally, dont even chance switching it on unless you know its dry, even then wait a few more days..best thing that i did was to get a dehumidifier and crank it up to pull out all the moisture (assuming your equipment is in an enclosed space), as soon as the water being pulled by the dehumidified reduces to the point of nil (or close) then you know your stuff is pretty dry. even then wait a few days more. haste makes waste in this situation fellow slut.

[Space Station]

Good Luck John!

[Harry Hughes]

Shit, sorry to hear man :(

[S.Filpansick]

As I have a habit for dropping my cell phone into water, one good trick that I learned is to open up anything small (pedals, DI's, etc), and place them in a bowl of uncooked rice.

The rice will act as a desiccant and pull the moisture out of them.

Anyway, sorry about your misfortune, and I hope you can save most of it!

[Mad John]

Thank you everyone for your much needed support! I see we are in the MOAN ZONE now LOL...alright TU-SHEA!

I can not tell you how amazed and touched I am with the members here at Gearslutz! I have had more support in this studio crisis than I could of ever hoped or dreamed for! Countless PM's from the coolest and sweetest dudes around..checking to see what my needs at this time are and offering all kinds of help and comfort! Lots of phone calls from Gearslutz members that I have known for years, but never have had the pleasure of speaking with...new friends out of the wood work that I never knew, were calling me to offer support and comfort!

Here is my latest report on the studio:

The floors of the studio are completely dry and when the sump pump was connected the following day to a working electrical outlet in the part of the house that had the generator running, the six inches of water went away in less than a half an hour!

The oriental rugs are done (I guess) and are out side drying out (yuk!)

The electrical equipment , REDDI, power amp to Trident 65, power conditioners, isolation transformer, guitar pedals , Replex Tube Delay (thank goodness I had my three Tape Delay Units way off the floor) and everything else (DW Bass Drum ) ALL DRYING OUT!

The Guitars "seem" OK, but I a particularly concerned with the acoustics and 1954 Gibson 175 (which don't show visual signs of damage, but there could be internal damage.)

The Guitar cases? Not good! Some of the older ones like the 1954 175 are so old & stiff (case) it's ready to snap at the binding at the bottom. I know cases are not a big deal, but there are ten of them that I have to consider at one time, so I am working on it.

The floors have to be addressed immediately! Mold is going to start to form underneath if they are not ripped up and dried out. Hoping I get permission to take care of this problem in the next couple of days before things start to get really bad!

Jules, great to hear from you!

Thank you everyone for your concern and support!

[Mad John]

Good Mourning everyone!!

A quick update on the Studio: I have the men who put in the studio floors coming this afternoon to rip up panels and check for moister damage and mold! I will keep you posted on this development!

Almost 70 degrees in New York today!

Going to put my cables out in the sun!

Have a WONDERFUL DAY My friends!!

[PoorGlory]

Totally sucks. My basment studio floor is actually DriCore subfloor panels left bare. DriCore are the 2x2' plywood panels with a plastic coating and feet underneath that keep the panels a centimeter off the concrete. (made for a decent yet half-assed floated floor in my case.)

Anyway, I was doing some work one day and needed the outlet the sump pump was plugged into to power a saw. A couple of weeks later, I went on the road. Came home after a few days and some heavy rains, and discovered I had left my sump pump unplugged for 2 weeks! Basement was totally flooded, although thankfully only an inch of water. Had I been on the road longer, it would have been way worse. The DriCore floor was literally floating on the water. Walking across it was like having a waterbed for a studio floor. And wouldn't you know it, there were NO leaks between any of the panels. My entire studio, console, racks of gear, computer, drums, guitars, pedals, EVERYTHING.... was totally dry and FLOATING on a 1 inch bed of water, thanks to the DriCore stuff.

Of course I freaked. Cleaned up, dehumidified, and nothing ended up damaged except for a little mold in some drywall. Obviously this was only an inch of water, and had I gotten 6" like the OP, I would have been totally screwed. Just wanted to share my little story. thumbsup

[Croaker]

Hey John,


Good to hear you are making some progress. It will be interesting to see what ends up happening to your guitars and gear and how you managed to salvage things. I hope it all comes out OK.

It is also impressive to see the positive response and help offered from your fellow gearslutz. Reminds me of why it is worth being a member here. Weird that this thread ended up in the moan zone. There is a lot to be learned from your situation.

[dysenterygary]

John,

I think you'll be pleasantly surprised when you turn things back on, although it will be EXTREMELY nerve racking! Just DO NOT rush into plugging them back in. Wait until you're positive they're dry, and then wait longer. 4 years ago I had a similar thing happen w/a foot of water. Everything was wet and it seemed devastating. We let everything dry out for 2 weeks and miraculously the only things that were ruined were a tuner pedal and an octave pedal. Everything else just took a nice bath. One of the most depressing moments was lifting the bass drum up and dumping it out . And now you can't even tell it was ever touched. Chin up man

[Mad John]

WOW dysenterygary! That is quite a story! I am glad that you had minimal damage friend!

Thank you for the good word and excellent video too!

Cheers!

[Mad John]

Originally Posted by Croaker

Hey John,


Good to hear you are making some progress. It will be interesting to see what ends up happening to your guitars and gear and how you managed to salvage things. I hope it all comes out OK.

It is also impressive to see the positive response and help offered from your fellow gearslutz. Reminds me of why it is worth being a member here. Weird that this thread ended up in the moan zone. There is a lot to be learned from your situation.

Hi Tom! Thank you my friend! I agree...it will be interesting...right now I feel , but very soon I could be feeling ...I pray that this is not me in a week...

Cheers mate!

[lynyrd]

I am glad to see that your guitars appear to be all right. I hope there is no hdden damage that crops up later. I hope to read in the future that most (or all!) of your stuff has come back to life with no problems. Good luck man.

[soundsundergroun]

with that much moisture, I second the dehumidifier. You could easily pull out a gallon and a half every day for a week.