Voicing question

[Susan Kline]

Thanks, Tom

Out here we've been using the Edwards string covers, especially on the coast,
and they have seemed to work well with the dehumidifier DC bars (usually
two) and a humidistat. It never gets dry enough there to need the tank of
water. 

Still, my experience with them is only a few years old, and our conditions
are nowhere near as extreme as yours, so it's very helpful to find out about
your results with good wool covers. I'm trusting them more and more as time
goes by.

Since I just wrote an article that mentioned putting wool over strings (will
be out next month) I'm especially relieved to hear that they also work well
in tropical conditions!

Sincerely,

Susan
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At 09:34 AM 3/8/98 PST, you wrote:
>With regards to Susan Kline's interest in string cover felts for grand
>pianos...
>Dear Susan,
>  As a RPT who has operated a piano business for almost 20 yrs in the
>tropics of South Florida, I can testify to the justification of string
>cover felts.  On the coastal parts  of FLorida we have a serious problem
>with salt and excessive moisture in the air.  It can ruin a piano (in AC)
>within a few years.  Most customers are under the assumption that whole
>room air conditioning will solve all problems...it doesn't.
> The felt covers sold through Schaff have some type of water resiliant
>quality that prevents moisture from passing through, yet air passes through
>preventing mildew.  The felt cover acts just as windows do for our home. 
>They prevent air passage and moisture from entering the room.
>With a dampp chaser system running on a grand  (without a FSC) the humidity
>is never really stabilized at the piano.  It is constantly changing due to
>humidity falling onto the piano.  Humidity in the air makes it heavy, thus
>it's tendancy to fall instead of rising.  If you have some type of
>mechanism that prevents the moisture from touching the strings and
>soundboard, then you have taken a major step in preventing changes in the
>piano.  With the DC system running underneath and the FC on the strings,
>you have created an enviorment that is separate from the room enviorment. 
>With these systems installed properly (with the cover) pianos go out of
>tune less AND there is a definite gain to tonal response.
>   As to a cover on the bottom...it's not necessary.
>A note about covers...not all felt is good felt.
>Many of the fabric retailers carry a type of felt that is synthetic and
>will not repel moisture.  If you are not sure, get a sample and place
>underneath a faucet and see if waters passes through it.  Most of the times
>this is poor material and is not suitable for this purpose.
>The material Schaff sells (#29) is costly but performs beautifully.  This
>material will also shrink if it washes.  During tuning visits I have the
>customer put the cover in the dryer ( air fluff) for 15 min. and most of
>the dust and debris that normally would have settled on the soundboard
>which was caught by the cover, will be removed.
>   One other plus about covers,  I have pianos located in oceanside homes
>for many years and have remained show-room condition inside due to the
>protection of the cover.
>I must admit it takes awhile to get used to not seeing those beautiful
>strings and soundboard, but in areas like ours the preventative measure is
>worth it.
>I hope my babling on has been some help for you
>Tom Servinsky, RTP
>tompiano@gate.net
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