[pianotech] Tuning in climate changes

Randy Chastain Randy_Chastain at sbcglobal.net
Tue Feb 23 21:18:15 MST 2010


You're right, David. They use baffles now but it was interesting to  
see how they did it "back then". I use a wooden dowel, incase it in a  
piece of the cloth and sow in a small magnet on each end or any place  
where it will attach to the plate struts. I can't (or can, thats the  
problem) how they measured so carefully that the old covers were  
suspended perfectly above the plate. Someone had it worked out. I  
wouldn't want to do it.
Randy Chastain


On Feb 23, 2010, at 7:42 PM, David Love wrote:

> You don't need hooks for string covers.  They have these baffles on  
> which
> the cover rests that traverse the plate struts so that the felt  
> doesn't
> touch the strings.
>
> David Love
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org]  
> On Behalf
> Of David Ilvedson
> Sent: Tuesday, February 23, 2010 7:36 PM
> To: pianotech at ptg.org
> Subject: Re: [pianotech] Tuning in climate changes
>
> So what do we think about hooks screwed into the inside of the  
> case?   I
> don't have a problem but how did they measure everything so the  
> cover is
> taught...as in trampoline...well, not quite.
>
> David Ilvedson, RPT
> Pacifica, CA  94044
>
> ----- Original message ----------------------------------------
> From: "Randy Chastain" <Randy_Chastain at sbcglobal.net>
> To: pianotech at ptg.org
> Received: 2/23/2010 7:30:25 PM
> Subject: Re: [pianotech] Tuning in climate changes
>
>
>> Hey Guys,
>> A several years ago I went up to Marin (CA) to look at a 1928  
>> Steinway
>> M that a family had just inherited. That was the first string cover I
>> had seen here in Northern California. The other tech and I removed  
>> the
>> string cover which was held taught by hooks embedded into the inside
>> rim with grommets in the material, rather like a trampoline and were
>> surprised by what we found. The cover looked old. The piano was in
>> original condition except for a new finish. It was so clean and the
>> condition was amazing. I couldn't believe it. I was sold on string
>> covers that day.
>
>> They are pricey but rather like the dampp-chasers can really help  
>> out,
>> especially in combination, for many pianos. It also keeps the dust
>> which is not just dust but often combined with fine oil from living
>> and cooking in our houses. You know what that can do to strings over
>> the years. String covers don't wear out so they have it for the life
>> of the instrument. I have taken to making them myself.
>
>> Randy Chastain
>> S.F. Bay Area
>
>
>> On Feb 23, 2010, at 5:46 PM, Dean May wrote:
>
>>> I'm with you, Todd. Since I have no experience with them, it is hard
>>> for me to recommend them considering the price. OTH, if I did
>>> install one on a problematic piano and it solved all my problems,
>>> then I would recommend them.
>>>
>>> Meanwhile, I've been able to get my regularly serviced pianos with  
>>> D-
>>> Chaser stable enough to satisfy me without the extra $300 charge.
>>>
>>> Dean
>>>
>>> Dean W May                (812) 235-5272
>>>
>>> PianoRebuilders.com    (888) DEAN-MAY
>>>
>>> Terre Haute IN 47802
>>>
>>> From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org]
>>> On Behalf Of Matthew Todd
>>> Sent: Tuesday, February 23, 2010 8:22 PM
>>> To: pianotech at ptg.org
>>> Subject: Re: [pianotech] Tuning in climate changes
>>>
>>> Speaking of string covers Dean, I have not been able to get myself
>>> to have my client spend over $329 on a string cover.  Fabric stores
>>> I know of sell 100% wool for between $10-$22 per yard.
>>>
>>> I admit, I have never ordered one, much less used one, so maybe this
>>> is not true.
>>>
>>> TODD PIANO WORKS
>>> Matthew Todd, Piano Technician
>>> (979) 248-9578
>>> http://www.toddpianoworks.com
>>>
>>>
>>> --- On Wed, 2/24/10, Dean May <deanmay at pianorebuilders.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> From: Dean May <deanmay at pianorebuilders.com>
>>> Subject: Re: [pianotech] Tuning in climate changes
>>> To: pianotech at ptg.org
>>> Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2010, 12:49 AM
>>>
>>> They keep a piano much closer. A full system properly installed with
>>> undercover shouldn't go out +/- 4 or 5 cents in 6 months, hopefully
>>> less. If
>>> its more there are usually extenuating circumstances (HVAC vent too
>>> close,
>>> near a frequently used door, etc.). Often I recommend churches close
>>> the
>>> lids between services, sometimes we'll use a cover on top of that.
>>>
>>> Yes they work. Depending on the situation you sometimes have to add
>>> protocols like above to enhance their performance. Some techs also
>>> use the
>>> string cover (I have not).
>>>
>>> Dean
>>>
>>> Dean W May                (812) 235-5272
>>>
>>> PianoRebuilders.com    (888) DEAN-MAY
>>>
>>> Terre Haute IN 47802
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org]
>>> On Behalf
>>> Of David Ilvedson
>>> Sent: Tuesday, February 23, 2010 7:41 PM
>>> To: pianotech at ptg.org
>>> Subject: Re: [pianotech] Tuning in climate changes
>>>
>>> So many across the country install Damppchaser systems of some
>>> sort.   In
>>> extreme climates do they really keep a piano close to pitch?
>>>
>>> David Ilvedson, RPT
>>> Pacifica, CA  94044
>>>
>>> ----- Original message ----------------------------------------
>>> From: Don <pianotuna at accesscomm.ca>
>>> To: pianotech at ptg.org
>>> Received: 2/22/2010 4:00:00 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [pianotech] Tuning in climate changes
>>>
>>>
>>>> Hi,
>>>
>>>> Sell her a DamppChaser system.
>>>
>>>> At 08:47 AM 2/23/2010 -0800, you wrote:
>>>>> Hi list,   I just had a cancellation this morning from a client  
>>>>> who
>>>>> received advise from another tuner not to get her piano tuned just
>>> yet,
>>>>> because we are in the middle of a cold spell, and to wait until  
>>>>> the
>>> weather
>>>>> gets warmer, otherwise her piano would go out of tune once the
>>> weather
>>>>> warmed up.     I guess if some of you would enjoy (and can afford)
>>> a three
>>>>> month vacation, then I am sure that would be the advise you would
>>> give.
>>>>> Thoughts anyone?
>>>>>
>>>>> TODD PIANO WORKS
>>>>> Matthew Todd, Piano Technician
>>>>> (979) 248-9578 http://www.toddpianoworks.com No virus found in  
>>>>> this
>>>>> incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com  Version: 9.0.733 /
>>> Virus
>>>>> Database: 271.1.1/2705 - Release Date: 02/23/10 01:34:00
>>>> Regards,
>>>> Don Rose, B.Mus., A.M.U.S., A.MUS., R.P.T.
>>>> Non calor sed umor est qui nobis incommodat
>>>
>>>> mailto:pianotuna at yahoo.com    http://www.donrose.ca/
>>>
>>>> 3004 Grant Rd. REGINA, SK, S4S 5G7
>>>> 306-539-0716
>>>
>>>
>



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