Environmental tuning mysteries: solved, hopefully

[ilex cameron ross]

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*shrug* i run into it all the time, both the Kawai story (in regards to
their stability) and the Steinway one (i'm in GA - woohoo what a climate!
it's rare that at this time of the year i do anything other than dropping
pitch).

my question i would like to pose is this: does anyone have any arguments
*against* dampp chasers? as a pianist, i grew up playing a little kawai
upright that is now 25+ yrs old and still like new - upon its first
regulation ever (after about 22 or so years), it really didn't need anything
except an adjustment of the letoff. it holds its tune for years on end, both
a testament to kawai, as well as to dampp chaser, as we have had a full
system in the piano since it was purchased, and have religiously kept it
watered. i ask about arguments against dampp chasers, because my current
employer has actually been discouraging people here from using them, due to
the climate. on one hand i can understand the point that if people get a
full system installed, water the piano fairly well for the first few months
and then start forgetting, it may cause more harm than good. however, i
still don't really get it. he's also raised points that you don't really
need the humidifier system here, but that the dehumidifier might overdo
it.... uhm, it was my impression that the whole "climate CONTROL system"
aspect included a thermostat that actually sensed when it needed to work?
i'm not all THAT familiar with dampp chasers, except for my own positive
experience as a pianist. are there any negatives of using this, or what?



thanks,
ilex
  -----Original Message-----
  From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org]On
Behalf Of Marcel Carey
  Sent: Friday, September 17, 2004 12:05 AM
  To: Pianotech
  Subject: RE: Environmental tuning mysteries: solved, hopefully


  Dampp chaser with undercover.

  Marcel Carey
    -----Original Message-----
    From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org]On
Behalf Of Piannaman@aol.com
    Sent: September 16, 2004 11:38 PM
    To: pianotech@ptg.org
    Subject: Environmental tuning mysteries: solved, hopefully


    Esteemed list scholars and such,

    I don't know how many of you remember  the case of the corroding strings
on a brand new Kawai Rx-3 I encountered in January of this year.  I followed
up by strongly suggesting that they stop mopping the radiant concrete floor
with a vinegar-water solution(acid steam beath), which they did.  I
thouroughly cleaned the strings, tuned the piano a couple of times, and went
back a week ago, and voila--no more corrosion!  Not only that, the bloody
thing was so close to being in tune I almost felt badly taking the
money--well, not really...

    #2.  I've been tuning a Steinway M that has new strings, hammers, pins,
block, wips, but I'm not sure about the board.   She's a very good customer,
gets her piano tuned every 6 months like clockwork.  I first tuned the piano
2 years ago, and today was my fourth trip out.  First time, it was 10-15
cents flat.  Second time, it was 10 cents or so sharp, third time, 10 cents
flat; today 5-10 cents sharp.  I do know how to stabilize a piano, so this
was a mystery to me.  At least until I heard the air conditioner go on.

    It's been hot in these parts lately, and pianos are going flat in
droves(the houses in this part of CA are built for earthquakes, not
inclement weather), but in the case of this piano, it's in a very large
luxury home, with all the amenities.  Unfortunately, the piano is directly
under a duct that dumps cold, moist air directly on it.  I'm convinced that
is what's going on here.  In the winter, the heat comes out of the same
duct, but to slightly less effect, since the heat rises.  The duct is now
permanently closed.  More details next time.

    Any comments or thoughts on this one?  Just thought it was kind of
interesting.

    Dave Stahl

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