> We're having some trouble with our Hamburg Steinway D going out of >tune during performances(it seems to be getting worse) and wonder if the >extreme low humidity in the hall could be a factor. The entire building is >without humidity, so the piano has been at 25% RH for a month now. It DOES >jump up to 33%, but it pretty much stays at 20-25%. The question is: > > Will constant low humidity cause tuning instability? I'd appreciate >answers from those who have had experience with these conditions. >Thanks... > >John Minor >Piano Technician >University of Illinois >jminor@uiuc.edu Joihn, That would be my guess. Our German does not like low humidity. I take readings constantly and call my buddy in the heating dept. if we get below 45%. The voicing goes as well as the tuning and I don't have to look at the gauge to tell the humidity level. I have an Imperial that I keep at the same pitch. They do not react the same to changes in humidity, but the both change when there is some variation. Summer finds us at around 60-70%, which gives me a higher pitch and not as sharp attack for voicing. The sound from both pianos is more mellow, round and more sustain. What I have not been able to determine is when we have 50% in the Winter and 50% in Spring or Summer the pitch will actually be alittle sharper than A-440. That doesn't make much sense to me, because I thought 50% humidity would be the same, but I have to pull the pitch down to keep it at 440 in the Summer. However, the temperature is higher in the Summer, going up to 72* but in the Winter we average around 68*. Maybe that is a factor. Any comments. PIANOTECH Digest 211 Topics covered in this issue include: 1) Re: Tuning instability question by mckonejw@skypoint.com (John W. McKone) 2) Re: Mason & Hamlin by johnsond@stolaf.edu (Dennis Johnson) 3) smooth strike ratios by johnsond@stolaf.edu (Dennis Johnson) 4) Re: hammer butt springs by Jim_Harvey@yca.ccmail.compuserve.com 5) Re tuning instability by Kenneth Sloane <Kenneth_Sloane@qmgate.cc.oberlin.edu> 6) Re Tuning Instability by Kenneth Sloane <Kenneth_Sloane@qmgate.cc.oberlin.edu> 7) Concerns about excessive humidity in cccold temperatures by DAMPPCHASR@aol.com 8) Re: Tuning instability question by Wippen@aol.com 9) Mason & Hamlin CC by ATodd@UH.EDU 10) Re: Re tuning instability by kam544@ionet.net (Keith A. McGavern) 11) Re: Mason & Hamlin by Vince Mrykalo <REEVESJ@ucs.byu.edu> 12) smooth strike ratios by johnsond@stolaf.edu (Dennis Johnson) 13) Re: Tuning instability question by John Minor <jminor@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu> 14) Re: Re tuning instability by ATodd@UH.EDU 15) Stability and . tendonitis by A440A@aol.com 16) Relative vs. Absolute Humidity by ATodd@UH.EDU 17) Re Tuning Instability by Kenneth Sloane <Kenneth_Sloane@qmgate.cc.oberlin.edu> 18) Steinway pedal fix by AKarab@aol.com 19) Re: Mason & Hamlin CC by stanwood@tiac.net (stanwood) 20) Mason AA with Renner parts by Mark Dierauf <71204.2532@compuserve.com> 21) Re: Mason & Hamlin CC by ATodd@UH.EDU 22) Re Tun. Stab. and Tendoniti by Kenneth Sloane <Kenneth_Sloane@qmgate.cc.oberlin.edu> 23) Re: Tuning instability question by Newton Hunt <nhunt@rci.rutgers.edu> 24) Re: Mason & Hamlin by PIANOBIZ@aol.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 06 Feb 1996 08:51 -0600 (CST) From: mckonejw@skypoint.com (John W. McKone) To: pianotech@byu.edu Subject: Re: Tuning instability question > John: Good point!! I'll make sure to set the thermograph somewhere in >the hall (out of the way) during the next performance to record the change >that takes place! It is the unisons that are wandering, and it was during the >second half of one of the recitals that was the worst case. > >John Minor > > John, Let us know the results when you get them. John W. McKone, RPT Operations Manager Haugen's Pianos Twin Cities
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