D/C covers

[Ken Eschete]

>Dampp-Chaser has tried a variety of materials for an under grand cover.
>Just wondering if any of the materials>>

Just wondering if they have tried Gortex fabric ....(the breathable
raincoat fabric).  I've used in museum conservation treatments of warped
wood, which can be moistened with water and clamped flat to dry inside a
layer of Gortex.  Moisture is not traped, but is slow to evaporate.  Made
by DuPont and available from them.

Ken Eschete
Northwestern





3) Anyone ever done something similar over the bottom of a grand? What
>> did you use, and how attach? (I've been giving some thought to this, and
>> figure a "string cover" over the top plus something over the bottom
>> would help a great deal. But would need to look "not tacky." Maybe
>> something like black mackintosh suspended from hooks around the rim,
>> maybe with something to hold the center to a frame member so it didn't
>> sag too much).
>> Thanks for any input,
>> Fred Sturm
>
>
>Dampp-Chaser has tried a variety of materials for an under grand cover. I
>had the privilege of assisting with this research while I was there last
>year. It's been a pet thought of mine as well, I think it would make the
>grand system unbeatable...especially those in draughty areas. Anyway, I
>recently spoke to Roger Wheelock from Dampp-Chaser to see how the research
>was going.
>
>He indicated that while the initial results were promising, after about
>three months there was a build up of moisture in the soundboard...not the
>result anyone wants!! This is why you need to test long term.
>
>They haven't worked out why it took so long to build up, but for the time
>being, an underside cover is not a good idea...yet. I hope they keep working
>on it...it would be great to have an answer. Meanwhile, the string cover has
>come up trumps, testing indicates an improvement in the moisture content
>range. You'd have to ask Roger or Bob Mair for the exact figures.
>
>Don't hesitate to contact them with ideas or suggestions, they are very
>responsive to input...that's what brought about the Smart Heater Bar and
>rear cover etc.
>
>BTW to fix the cover on the back of an upright....pin pegs or Velcro spots.
>If you use velcro, you need to tack the spot onto the piano, so that if the
>glue fails, it still hangs in there.
>
>...and yes, it's Mylar
>
>Cheers
>Mark Bolsius
>Bolsius Piano Services
>Canberra Australia
>
>PS Gotta get me one of those data loggers...thanks for the tip.
>
>http://www.bolsius-pianoservices.com.au
>
>Australian distributor for
>Dampp-Chaser Climate Control Products
>Louis Renner Piano Components and Tools
>Reyburn CyberTuner Visual Tuning Software
>
>----------


--
Kenneth P. Eschete
Northwestern University
k-eschete@nwu.edu