Dampp-Chaser threads

[Greg Newell]

On Sun, 8 Mar 1998 20:17:55 +0000, atonal@planet.eon.net wrote:

>
>
>> 
>> atonal@planet.eon.net (Rob Kiddell) wrote:
>> > Tuning pin tension remains fairly stable ie: tight, but I
>> > don't attribute this to the Dampp-Chaser. I've worked with
>> > enough Dampp-Chasers to know this isn't one of their attributes.
>> 
>> I sure find they make a difference in tuning pin torque in uprights.  And 
>> D-C's new promotional video makes that claim unequivocally.
>> 
>> Tim Keenan
>
>
>Hi Tim, 
>
>	What kinds of pianos (new or used) and what types of conditions have 
>you seen improvements in? I've installed Dampp-Chaser 5PS systems   
>in brand new Baldwins (tight tight tight pins!) and newer Yamahas 
>(not as tight, but smooth), as well as Wurlitzers, Petrofs, and some 
>large, re-pinned turn-of-the-century rebuilt pianos (original 
>soundboards). I also routinely tune and maintain similar pianos, 
>newer and older, without Dampp-Chasers installed. I've yet to 
>attribute increases in tuning pin torque to installation of the 
>Dampp-Chaser. I don't find the DC equipped instruments 'tighter' 
>overall, I find variances in tension between similar pianos, 
>humidifier system or no.   Here in Edmonton, we are a fairly dry 
>prairie climate, and new instruments tend to lose moisture quickly. 
>Tuning, regulation, and tuning pin tension are all at the mercy of 
>the dry climate.  Changes in tuning pin tension tend to happen 
>quickly, if at all. Yet I stand by my original statement:  based on 
>my experience installing and maintaining pianos and Dampp-Chasers, 
>they work extremely well on soundboard stability, and little, if at 
>all, on anything else. At least in this climate, anyway.  BIG NOTE: 
>I'm not discounting other points of view here, I'm keen to hear 
>what others are doing regarding DC installation and 
>maintainence.....maybe I'm missing something?!?!  
>
>Regards, 
>
>Rob Kiddell, 
>Registered Piano Technician, PTG
>atonal@planet.eon.net
>

Rob and List,
	Now were really getting to it!!! I've wondered about this for
years now but for fear of being severly chastised by those D-C
groupies out ther I've kept my mouth shut!  I now ask the following 
and welcome all responses.  Can it be substantiated that a properly
installed D-C system on a grand piano actually creates and imbalance
in the piano for exactly the above stated reason by Rob Kiddell?  I
mean if the unit is mounted where it is mounted and has no clear path
to effect the action cavity, is the action actually affected?  If we
can assume that the system does not control the entire room ( and I
think we can)  then it must create an imbalance where there
originally was none.  Is it correct to control only one part of the
piano and leave the rest alone?  
If there is now an imbalance, are we producing sound normally foreign
to a piano from moist hammers and dryer soundboards say?  Are there
any other ramifications?  What about pinblock verses soundboard?  I'm
sure we can all agree that these are very interrelated to tuning
stability.  What have you all to say?  
				wonderingly,
						Greg Newell
Greg and Mary Ellen Newell
Greg's Piano Forte`
Lakewood, Ohio 44107
gnewell@en.com