[pianotech] Tuning in climate changes

David Ilvedson ilvey at sbcglobal.net
Tue Feb 23 22:26:09 MST 2010


Of course you don't need the hooks...I liked the stretched cover...

David Ilvedson, RPT
Pacifica, CA  94044

----- Original message ----------------------------------------
From: "David Love" <davidlovepianos at comcast.net>
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Received: 2/23/2010 7:42:11 PM
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Tuning in climate changes


>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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