Hi David, Maybe the technician missed the last 45 years? A 'Dampp-Chaser' used to be a rod, didn't it? Advertisements mentioned solving sticking keys. In 2006, a 'Dampp-Chaser' can be a fairly sophisticated control and protection device. Advertisements still need to mention solving sticking keys. I think it is fair for you to clear up the information. This means pointing out initially that the other tech has poor information, and that YOU have correct information. Many of us have seen expensive pianos damaged by poor information. I am happy to send to you off-list, further stressing that we are a distributor of the manufacturer's product and condemn the practice of any use of uncontrolled dehumidifiers in pianos. Dampp-Chaser has so many strong points. But backing up their distributor when a 'rod-buyer' is being refused shipment is a very WEAK point, we can say from experience. I think when a 'squeaky-wheel' customer is simply asking for a purchase, it's hard to say no. David Patterson, RPT Patterson and Company Exclusively Dampp-Chaser Piano Life Saver Specialists for 16 Years www.pattersonandco.com -----Original Message----- From: David Renaud [mailto:drjazzca at yahoo.ca] Sent: May 15, 2006 1:42 PM To: pianotech at ptg.org Subject: DC unit abuse A concert I participated in as clarinetist last week could not use a piano that had been "rebuilt" "fully reconditioned", "repaired" depending who in the institution I spoke with. It had been tuned a couple weeks preciously. A Samik grand. The instrument was completely unusable by any stretch. Although it was indeed at A440, 5ths, octaves were wild, many unisions 5-6 cent spread. Dampers were sticking. We abandoned it. The "qualified"technician, on account of sticking dampers had placed a DC heat rod loosely resting on the plate above the dampers instructing them to leave it on full time. When asked how long it had been in, they were not sure excpt to say a very long time, so I presume it cooked through much of our dry Canadian winter. No controller, full time heat year round directly over the dampers. I told the director they were destroying the piano by leaving a heat rod inside on full time. Cooking the piano is not a solution to poor adjustments, poor fittings of bushings. Since there is a team of directors, a board, many contacts, and as it is my word against the other "qualified" technician; I am fishing for a statements from the list regarding how this is unacceptable for the piano, misuse of DC technology, and is causing more problems then solutions. The "qualified" technician shall remain anonymous, but I will be sending the comments to him as well. This individual has demonstrated in the past that they are slow to listen to reason, thus I hope a multitude of statements will sway them from continuing to damage pianos this way. Perhaps I will learn that I am out of line here. If so, I had better hear it, but it would really truly surprise me if this use of a DC unit was acceptable by any stretch of the imagination. I have seen major serious damage done to clients pianos from DC heat bars on full time with no controller. Serious major soundboard cracking on a brand new piano. A statement from any DC distributor would be nice. I feel bad for the client, and bad for any other victims of such abuse, and wish to help stop this from happening again in my city. Grrrrr Dave Renaud __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
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