[CAUT] Grease/Oil on upright pressure bar

[Andrew Anderson]

Thanks everyone,
I promised them a written service report on each piano, I keep 
written records on each piano I service, so I'll have a little 
transcribing to do. Every piano with evidence of oil/grease on the 
strings will be listed along with a discussion of possible 
consequences and treatment.

What possible bridge problems do you anticipate? seems to me that 
this was alluded to.

Andrew

At 10:46 PM 10/9/2005, you wrote:
>Andrew,
>
>I'd say Jim has it pretty much exactly how you should proceed.   I 
>would emphasize the idea that "you were the last piano 
>technician".   Don't let this become your problem...i.e. something 
>associated with you.   Now is the time to let them know about the 
>problem "you've have found".
>
>David Ilvedson, RPT
>Pacifica, California
>
>
>----- Original message ----------------------------------------
>From: "Jim Harvey" <harvey@greenwood.net>
>To: "College and University Technicians" <caut@ptg.org>
>Received: 10/9/2005 8:28:33 PM
>Subject: RE: [CAUT] Grease/Oil on upright pressure bar
>
>
> >Okay, Andrew, this explains the "bunch", and it qualifies for Harvey's
> >rule-of-six axiom: more than six of anything requires a different
> >approach -- whether keycovers, tuning pins, strings, hammers, or pianos.
>
> >I've only had hands-on with Boston grands, so can't speak to other
> >replies about how the verticals tune/feel. Since we seem to be getting
> >more details by the moment, I submit that only machine tools typically
> >get a liberal dose of "slickum" before shipping to help prevent rust
> >during transport and warehousing. Piano manufacturers know better, so
> >the most they do is special absorbent paper, silica gel or other
> >desiccant, then sometimes sealing the pianos in plastic, etc.
>
> >Staff technicians are at less risk for scrutiny than part-time,
> >as-needed folks. In your case, I might suggest documenting this
> >situation. You've already begun by commenting here. Other supporting
> >materials, evidence, etc. may help, such as samples of the material
> >you've collected. Not trying to sound over-dramatic, but you may want to
> >think like the forensics folks. Use a sterile swab or other to collect a
> >sample of the lubricious material. Photos are good, but likely out of
> >the question for this situation.
>
> >Eight (or more) of the same brand and type of pianos in one place (the
> >school), and with the same set of negative conditions are enough to get
> >a manufacturer's attention! They may want their representative to
> >evaluate this personally. At a minimum, they may want another opinion
> >from an "expert" (someone from more than 25 miles away -- or in your
> >case, probably 100 miles), and in this case, one who has NOT been
> >involved with those instruments.
>
> >You should also continue to practice gentle persuation with the prof,
> >chair, committee, whomever, and do so in writing. Poor school or not,
> >they need to be informed of the situation and the down-stream
> >potentials. All this is as much for YOU as it is for them. Otherwise,
> >when the next 'PRN' is contracted, YOU become the last person who was
> >exposed to these pianos. I've found a lot of faculty tend to have even
> >shorter memories than I.
>
> >The manufacturer may say they didn't do it (probably true so be ready
> >for it). OTOH, considering there are a significant number of their units
> >"exposed", they may elect to intervene in some manner. This comes under
> >the "implied warranty" or "peace of mind assurance" that is undocumented
> >but actually exists with manufacturers. Also, depending on the schools
> >resources, this may qualify for some type of insurance claim, again
> >depending on the extent and costs of correction.
>
> >As a final thought, I've also seen vandalism that was very discrete. One
> >example was the application of one drop of (some type of) lubricant to
> >each tuning pin where it entered the block. In this case, nothing
> >happened to tuning stability! That is, until the first time a tuning
> >lever was applied to the pin! Once the initial "stiction" was disturbed,
> >the string tension lowered pitch real fast!
>
> >Jim Harvey
> >PS: I'm really curious about the "yellow" part. Sulfer content? Dunno,
> >might be right in there with disguising arsenic with coloring before
> >applying to the insides of pianos.
>
>
> >-----Original Message-----
> >Jim,
> >This affects some 8, possibly more, upright 'Boston' pianos.  One has
> >a dead bass unison.  It is in the deep bass and I'll have to check to
> >see if it is lubricant related.  The bass section did seem to tune
> >normally.  These pianos probably came with tight pin-blocks and
> >springy pins.  That someone would try lubricating the pressure bar to
> >improve that surprises me.  It definitely isn't rusty, just yields
> >this oily yellow stuff and dirt when you drag a rag under it. At first I
> >was thinking a mis-guided "rust-proofing" effort but it is
> >an upright and gravity will do its work so that could account for the
> >oily strings.  I was hoping to come up with something that would not
> >involve air pollution (solvents) or removing the bars.  Looks like
> >that is the only solution that will really get the job done.  A heat
> >gun or torch really risks pushing me towards re-stringing besides
> >burnishing the plate paint or worse, burning it. :-[
> >I wondered at first if someone had fooled with the pressure bars but
> >the position does look average for the pianos:  a couple degrees rise
> >from the coils to the bar and much more (20 -30 guestimated) from the
> >bar to the termination point on the plate.
>
> >I'll go back to the worst one at some point a see how its doing and
> >check out that dead bass unison more carefully.  I did ask the piano
> >proff. off hand if anyone had wanted to "treat" the pianos, he wasn't
> >aware of any such plan.  I guess I may end up being the bearer of bad
> >news.
>
> >Andrew
>
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