[pianotech] Music Sorb humidity control

[Paul McCloud]

Hi, Richard:
I have sold some of this stuff some years ago, and I just sold some more to a guy who rents a piano in Hawaii.  He had good results keeping the piano from rusting and other related problems.  As far as a head-to-head comparison to damppchasers, I can't say.  There is a limit to their absorption, and then you have to replace it or dry it out in a low oven.  The price has gone way up, in the damppchaser range with humidistat, since I got my first product many years ago.  I agree that it would work best in a sealed environment, as my rental client does with a giant Anvil case that houses his C-7 Yamaha.  Once I did an experiment with drum heads.  I put a drum with loose heads (rawhide) in a plastic trash bag along with the musicsorb.  Overnight it tightened the heads nicely.  It works, but you have to keep tabs on it if the area isn't sealed.  It's also used in guitar cases and other instrument cases to control moisture.  If you can't plug a damppchaser in, and you can keep the area sealed, it will work well.  I don't think there's anything that is emanated from it, as far as gases or anything.  It's just the same stuff as what's packed in camera bags as a dessicant.  Be careful not to open the container.  Don't ask!  Like  ball bearings everywhere!
Paul McCloud
San Diego

----- Original Message -----
From: "Richard W. Bushey" <rbushey4 at embarqmail.com>
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Sent: Sunday, February 12, 2012 11:31:19 AM
Subject: [pianotech] Music Sorb humidity control


To all: 

This question was posted to a Linked-In discussion group and wanted to get some opinions on a product that was suggested. 

The question was: "Are there any suggestions for moisture control on Grands where no electrical plug exists?" I would add verticals too. 


The one person who responsed gave a link to a product called Music Sorb. http://www.musicsorbonline.com/ 

Has anyone had any experience with it or could give any reasons why it would or would not be effective or practical to use? I would guess IF they worked well at all, they would work best with lids down, covers on piano, undercover/back cover, etc. to help isolate the air space you are trying to control. 

I've seen similar products used in pianos that were designed for gun safes, but was skeptical of whether they were effective or safe to use on pianos. Typically, I had them removed more for fear of either chemicals being emitted from them or mice tearing into them and using the beads for nesting material, etc. 

Thoughts? 

Richard W. Bushey 
Richard's Piano Service 
www.RichardsPianoService.com 
Rbushey at RichardsPianoService..com 
573-765-9903 

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