Elian Degen wrote: > > Dear List. > > I am working in a tropical country. Almost all the pianos here developed > problems with the damper and key leads somewhere between 20 and 30 years. Elian, I live in New Orleans, and I can certainly relate to what you are finding in Caracas. When I was in the Navy, I spent two weeks in your fair city on a deployment. Enjoyed it thoroughly! In a hot humid climate some piano leads will expand 10-15% in a very few years. I was told or read somewhere that a lot of the lead used in keys has an impurity (sulphur or something. I can't remember) which combines with the water from the air and causes it to swell and expand. The problem with just filing the excess off is that that does nothing for the surface that is inside the hole! This is the one that splits the key by pushing up and down! The only correct thing to do is to advise replacement of the leads. If they are short of money, just replace the worst ones and get a committment from the customer to replace more each time they have service done. You are the expert, no matter how much experience you have. Recommend procedures that won't come back and "haunt" you later! I like the idea of the Lacquer treatment! That's going on my shop procedure list right now! Thanks Horace! Hope this helps! Warren -- Home of The Humor List Warren D. Fisher fish@communique.net Registered Piano Technician Piano Technicians Guild New Orleans Chapter 701
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