D/C covers

[Roger Wheelock]

Mark Bolsius' posting was quite accurate.  At Dampp-Chaser we have
experimented with a number of materials, but not Gortex.  One of the
challenges is that we do not want to affect the acoustic quality of a piano.
We felt that material like Gortex would alter the sound.  What we settled
for was a very high quality speaker cloth.  We then had this independently
evaluated to make sure that it did not affect the sound on a Yamaha grand
piano.  As Mark stated, positive initial results gave way to a long term
increase in moisture.  We believe that some opening must be allowed for air
flow, but have not yet determined what is optimal at this point in time.

We always welcome feedback from technicians.  Feel free to email me
privately with any good ideas.

Thanks,

Roger Wheelock
Executive Vice President
Dampp-Chaser Corporation
roger@dampp-chaser.com
www.dampp-chaser.com
800-438-1524
828-692-8271 USA
828-692-8272 (FAX)
P.O. Box 1610
Hendersonville  NC 28793

----- Original Message -----
From: Ken Eschete <k-eschete@nwu.edu>
To: <caut@ptg.org>
Sent: Friday, August 18, 2000 1:15 PM
Subject: Re: D/C covers


> >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
>
>
>