Debra- If you installed a full humidifier/dehumidifier system and plugged everything in correctly, then it will not overdry the soundboard and cause rib separation. Lawrence Becker, RPT Piano Technician College-Conservatory of Music University of Cincinnati -----Original Message----- From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Debra Feiger Sent: Thursday, April 27, 2006 6:37 PM To: caut at ptg.org Subject: [CAUT] soundboard crack I have a private client with a Steinway M, from the late 20s, rebuilt by a reputable rebuild shop in NYC less than two years ago. I do not know if they put in a new soundboard or it is the original. I am in the process of finding that out. The piano has a Roland quiet time system installed and I installed a dampp chaser system Jan 2005. I have subsequently moved to San Diego, but still return to NY periodically to service some of my clients. I went to tune this piano (it had been 5 months) and also do some minor regulation. It was more out of tune than it should have been and when I went to push the action back in, it wouldn't clear the pinblock. I called the rebuild shop and they said that the pinblock to be planed and that it was common for a pinblock to 'drop' a bit. I've not experienced that yet in my 4 years as a tech. I didn't have the tools with me to do the repair, and was concerned that I might damage the quiet time unit. They sent another technician to my client a few days later. He handled the pinblock repair, but there was a loud buzz and he identified a crack in the soundboard. I didn't see (or hear) it, but from talking with the client it seems to be running parallel to one of the ribs. The rebuilder/owner was going to go out to look at the piano, but is instead sending another technician (experienced with soundboard repairs) and he seems certain that a rib is separated. I didn't look under the piano to see if this was the case or not. Here are my questions - Is it possible that a combination of the heat from the Quiet time system and perhaps the dehumidifier rods from the Dampp Chaser system could have helped cause the crack? I have been wondering since I started installing the DC systems, whether the heat generated could do damage? Also, what type of warranty should the rebuilder offer if, even after the soundboard is shimmed and the rib repaired, the soundboard continues to deteriorate? Thanks for your collective thoughts and experience. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
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