ocean air

[Don]

Hi Jay,

1. Yes, because some few rare pianos hardly react to changes in humidity.
There were pianos made with "tinned" wire to protect them from extremely
high humidity. I have never seen one. They don't sound well according to
the "jungle telegraph". An upgright piano may be easier to protect than a
grand in this situation. A piano action with "fewer" wooden parts such as
the Kawai line would withstand the climate better. But no instrument was
ever designed for the abuse you are considering subjecting it to. It might
be better to consider a keyboard unless you can protect the instrument.
There is atleast one keyboard that has a grand piano action, if there is a
concern for the correct "touch".

2. For a grand piano a damppchaser full system with bottom cover and a
string cover from Edwards. Keep the lid on the piano fully closed unless
the instrument is in use. For an upright a full dc system with a plastic
back cover.

3. All metal parts will be subject to a fast deterioration from the salt.
All wooden parts will be subject to damage from humidity swings. According
to a dealer finishes on pianos "hate" humidity changes as well.

4. There is an article by Lu Tascoti (spelling?) in one of the music
magazines about the effects of humidity. There are referrences to humidity
control in the Piano Technicians Journal. Damppchaser may have a list of
such articles and might be able to provide photocopies. (I wish they would
publish them "online"). 

At 07:28 AM 12/13/01 -0500, you wrote:
>I am interested in the effects of ocean air (salt air, salt dust, rare fog, 
>humidity swings 30-100%, temperature swings 60-100°F) on various 'baby
grand' 
>pianos (5'1"-5'7" = 155-170 cm) and their components. 
>
>Of course such an environment is far from ideal; but 
>
>    (1)  Are some pianos better suited than others to such an 
>         environment? Which? and why? 
>
>    (2)  What measures (other than full-time air-conditioning) 
>         can be taken to minimize such effects? 
>
>    (3)  What components are especially liable to such effects? 
>
>    (4)  What printed or other references exist on the subject? 
>
>Thank you. 
>
>
>Jay Dillon 
>Monmouth Beach, New Jersey 
>40.33°N, 73.98°W 
>
>
>
>

Regards,
Don Rose, B.Mus., A.M.U.S., A.MUS., R.M.T., R.P.T.

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