Knabe in Houston

[Ron Nossaman]

> I have a customer who's still in that position who owns a late 1800's 
> Knabe grand. Around 1890, I think. My question is that because of its 
> age, is this instrument more likely than newer types to develop any 
> damage/problems in the future from not being in air-conditioning for 
> that long? It's been restrung somewhere along the way but beside minor 
> repairs, I believe that is all that's ever been done to it, except 
> tuning. The weather hasn't been TOO bad but the temperature 
> /has/ gotten into the low to mid 90's and humidity into the 70%+ range 
> during the day. I'm concerned primarily about any possible structural 
> problems with an instrument this old.
>  
> I'm hoping that some of you who are more experienced with wood of all 
> kinds could give me some information here. Thanks.
>  
> Avery Todd, RPT
> Houston, TX

Avery,
In the 110-120 years of it's life, how many of those years do 
you suppose were spent in air conditioning?

I wouldn't worry about it.
Ron N