Warping Probs. Baldwin Hamilton

Ron Torrella torrella@umich.edu
Tue, 11 Feb 1997 22:50:54 -0500 (EST)


On Tue, 11 Feb 1997, ROLLAND MILLER wrote:
[snip]

> When the keys were returned to the higher humidity in the church,
> evidently the wood grain could not take the change.

[snip]

> Questions:
> 1. Does this make/year piano have a history of warping problems?

Not the ones I've seen/serviced.

> 2. What suggestions would list member have regarding solving/improving
> the warping problems in both the keys and balance rail?

[snip]

You mentioned a possibility that the humidity in the church is high
(relative to what?  Your shop?).  How about trying several Dampp-Chaser
rods in that piano?  If you have a few spares lying around the shop, pop
'em in and see if that does the trick.  If it does, drag the person who
writes the checks to the piano, explain what you did and the results you
got (a "before" photo would be handy -- if you can actually see the
difference), and give an on-the-spot quote on the rods in place (keep
track of the time it took to put 'em in, if you charge by the clock).

You'll probably have to give 'em time to hash it out among the "elders,"
but keep 'em on a short leash -- pay in 30 days, tops, or out they come
(the rods, that is).  Proof's in the pudding.

			     Ron Torrella, RPT
			Assistant Piano Technician
			  University of Michigan
			      School of Music





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